Oklahoma Children’s Code; requiring certain selection process for medical evaluators; modifying standard for deprived petitions. Effective date.

SB 1909 requires a blind, randomized selection process for medical evaluators in Oklahoma child abuse and neglect cases to prevent bias or "doctor shopping" by the Department of Human Services. It mandates the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts to implement a statewide system for assigning qualified evaluators (including pediatricians and child abuse specialists), maintain an audit trail of all interactions, and enforce annual certification for evaluators on parental rights and evidence-based practices. The bill also amends the standard for declaring a child deprived to require that allegations be supported by a preponderance of the evidence, and provides civil/criminal enforcement for violations. It takes effect on November 1, 2026.