OKLAHOMA CITY - Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, this week secured House passage of a bill that would strengthen mandatory child abuse reporting requirements in schools. This measure would require that any allegation of abuse or neglect by a private or public school employee be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours.  

House Bill 2959 would require that law enforcement be notified prior to any formal investigation by the school or school board or the questioning of the subject of the accusation. Bashore said this is to ensure that trained individuals are aware of the misconduct and able to properly investigate the situation.  

“We want to assure students that when they report an instance of abuse, allegations will be thoroughly investigated," Bashore said. "Our response to these reports needs to be immediate and thorough. It is our job to prioritize and protect our students from child predators. We take this responsibility seriously.” 

HB2959 specifies that law enforcement must be notified and have the opportunity to interview the involved parties first, unless law enforcement determines an immediate school response is necessary to protect student safety. It also would not relieve any person of the duty to report to law enforcement because of the resignation, termination, transfer or other separation from employment of the subject of the allegation.

Bashore said the measure would not limit the ultimate action or decision-making power of school authorities. It only would require that law enforcement be involved in their current process, so that allegations can be properly investigated.

This measure passed the House unanimously March 24. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration, where it is authored by Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond.