Rep. Gabe Woolley

Maddy summarySB 1717 modifies Oklahoma's child protective custody procedures by raising the evidentiary standard for taking children into immediate protective custody. It requires peace officers or court employees to have "clear and convincing evidence" of an imminent safety threat (rather than just "reasonable suspicion") before removing a child without a court order. The bill also mandates that the Department of Human Services complete a safety evaluation within 23 hours of custody, and return the child to parents/guardians if no imminent threat is found. This directly affects law enforcement, child protective services, and families facing emergency custody actions. The changes aim to ensure custody removals are only used when necessary, with specific protocols for safety assessments and alternative placements.

Maddy summarySB 1784 creates the Oklahoma State Protection from Terrorist Organizations Act, prohibiting state agencies from contracting with or granting funds to organizations designated as terrorist groups. It allows the Governor to designate such groups based on recommendations from safety agencies, barring them from holding state property or receiving state contracts. The law specifies that designations must be religion- and viewpoint-neutral, protecting peaceful advocacy while targeting organizations providing material support for terrorism. Violations can be addressed through civil actions by the Attorney General, with designated entities able to petition for reconsideration after 24 months.

Maddy summaryHJR 1084 is a procedural resolution that establishes the official name and ballot title for a proposed constitutional amendment. It directs the Secretary of State to reject any proposed amendment labeled as the "Oklahoma Constitution Policy Act of 2026" and sets the specific ballot language for voter consideration. The bill requires the Chief Clerk to file the resolution and its ballot title with the Secretary of State and Attorney General after passage. This resolution does not change any policy or law; it solely prepares the formal wording for a future voter referendum on a constitutional amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 2950 requires Oklahoma public universities, colleges, and career technology schools to treat homeschool graduates equally with public and private school graduates regarding standardized test score requirements for admission, scholarships, and program eligibility. It prohibits institutions from setting higher minimum ACT, SAT, or equivalent test score thresholds for homeschoolers than those applied to other students. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and State Board of Career and Technology Education must ensure compliance and develop necessary rules. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3038, titled the "Abolition of Abortion Act," reclassifies abortion as homicide under Oklahoma law, making it a criminal offense punishable by the same legal standards applied to harm against born individuals. It directly affects pregnant people, healthcare providers performing abortions, and families seeking wrongful death claims related to abortions. Key provisions include removing existing exceptions allowing abortion, requiring documented informed consent, and amending wrongful death laws to permit lawsuits when abortions occur under specific circumstances like coercion, lack of consent, or medical negligence. Exceptions cover life-saving procedures for the mother (with reasonable efforts to save the fetus) and spontaneous miscarriages.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would require Oklahoma courts to base decisions solely on U.S. and Oklahoma law, explicitly banning consideration of Sharia law (Islamic law) or international law in all court cases. It applies to all state courts, including trial and appellate courts, when making rulings on legal matters. The amendment is structured as a voter referendum, with the ballot title clarifying it prohibits courts from using Islamic law or international legal principles. If approved by voters, it would become part of Oklahoma's constitution, altering how courts interpret and apply law.

Maddy summaryHB 3039, the "In the Child's Best Interest Act," requires that all approved adoption, foster care, and legal guardianship arrangements in Oklahoma consist of either one adult, two adults of opposite genders, or two biological relatives of the child. The bill mandates that courts and agencies invalidate any arrangement violating these rules, directing the Department of Human Services to find a compliant placement for the child, with preference given to the closest biological relatives who pass background checks. It allows other adults (like grandparents or friends) to assist in care without altering the official arrangement. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHJR 1065 is a procedural joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to add Section 10c to Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution. It directs the Secretary of State to place this proposed amendment on the 2026 ballot for voter approval, titled "Oklahoma Ad Valorem Taxation Resolution of 2026." The resolution specifies the ballot title wording and requires the Chief Clerk to file the resolution with the Secretary of State and Attorney General after passage. This bill itself does not change tax rates or policies but establishes the process for voters to decide on the constitutional amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 3484 amends Oklahoma's Children's Code to clarify definitions and lower the evidentiary standard in child welfare cases. It explicitly permits parents to use "ordinary force" (like spanking) for discipline, while modifying the definition of "abuse" to exclude such actions. The bill also changes the required evidence standard for court adjudications from "clear and convincing evidence" to "preponderance of the clear and convincing evidence," making it easier to find a child "deprived." These changes directly affect child welfare courts, parents, and child protective services in Oklahoma. The bill is currently in committee referral after its first reading.

Maddy summaryHB 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.