Children; Protect Families from Government Overreach Act; purpose; intent; Department of Human Services; physical custody; records; exception; emergency motion; report; Oklahoma Commission for Human Services; noncompliance; audits, civil penalties, and sanctions; civil remedies; reassessment; codification; effective date.

HB 3483, the "Protect Families from Government Overreach Act," requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to return children to parents or guardians within 72 hours if criminal charges against them are dismissed, dropped, or result in a not-guilty verdict. It mandates the return of all personal property and records related to the case, with all agency records expunged within the same timeframe. Exceptions allowing continued separation are permitted only if the agency files an emergency motion with clear evidence of ongoing child safety risks and secures a court order within 72 hours. The bill directly affects parents/guardians whose cases were resolved favorably and the Department of Human Services, imposing strict deadlines and civil penalties for noncompliance.