HB 2207 Oklahoma House · 2026 Regular Session

Children; definitions; term; facilities; petition; protective order; evidence; court; codification; effective date; emergency.

HB 2207 amends Oklahoma's Children's Code by adding 16 specific definitions to Section 1-1-105 of 10A O.S. 2021. It clarifies terms like "abuse" (including physical/mental harm but explicitly allowing ordinary parental discipline such as spanking), "age-appropriate" activities, and "child" (defined as under 18). The bill directly affects courts, child welfare agencies, and professionals handling child protection cases by standardizing terminology used in proceedings. As a definitional codification measure, it does not create new programs or change existing laws but ensures consistent interpretation of key terms in child welfare cases. The bill became law on May 11, 2025, without governor action.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed May 12, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was updated from the House version to the Senate version, incorporating committee amendments that add new definitions and modify existing ones. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a provision allowing parents to use ordinary force for discipline, including spanking, switching, and paddling, which was not present in the original House version.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on defining terms in the Oklahoma Children's Code, but the Senate version expands the definition of 'Abuse' to explicitly permit certain disciplinary actions that were previously undefined.

DEFINITION

Added a new provision under the definition of 'Abuse' that allows parents to use ordinary force for discipline, specifically including spanking, switching, and paddling.

Modified the definition of 'Abandonment' to include failure to respond to notice of deprived proceedings as a form of abandonment.

Expanded the definition of 'Sexual exploitation' to include allowing, permitting, encouraging, or forcing a child to engage in lewd, obscene, or pornographic acts by a person responsible for the child's welfare.

Added a new definition for 'Assessment' as a comprehensive review of child safety and family functioning conducted when there is no serious and immediate safety threat.

Modified the definition of 'Age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate' to include a provision stating that nothing in the definition authorizes federal government officials to mandate state or local educational content.

Floor votes · Senate May 1, 2025 · House Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

May 1, 2025

D Democratic9

8 Yea 1

88% Yea

R Republican40

36 Yea 4

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 1, 2025

Committee

Referred for enrollment

lower

May 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Engrossed measure signed, returned to House

upper

May 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 42 Nays: 0

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Introduced

First Reading

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Engrossed, signed, to Senate

lower

Mar 24, 2025

Committee

Referred for engrossment

lower

Mar 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 92 Nays: 0

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

CR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Civil Judiciary

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to Civil Judiciary

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

First Reading

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors