Okla. Stat. tit. 10, § 10-601.6

authority.

A. For purposes of this section, the term "children and youth

service system" shall have the same meaning as it is defined in

Section 600 of this title.

B. The Office of Juvenile System Oversight shall have the

responsibility of inspecting and investigating misfeasance and

malfeasance within the children and youth service system, as

directed by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, to

ascertain compliance with established responsibilities.

C. The Office shall conduct not less than one but not more than

two regular, periodic, unannounced inspections of state-operated

children's institutions and facilities annually. The Office is

further authorized to inspect privately operated children's

institutions and facilities that receive state or federal funding,

on a periodic basis or as needed.

D. The Office shall investigate complaints filed with the

Office regarding the children and youth service system.

E. The Office of Juvenile System Oversight shall have the

authority to:

1. Access all facilities within the children and youth service

system for the purpose of conducting inspections and investigations;

2. Examine and copy all records and budgets pertaining to the

children and youth service system and to review inspection reports

of the State Fire Marshal, State Department of Health, and any other

agency that accredits such institutions and facilities;

3. Interview the residents of institutions and facilities

within the children and youth service system;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 10. Children Page 148

4. Subpoena witnesses and hold public hearings;

5. Establish, in accordance with the Dispute Resolution Act,

Sections 1801 through 1813 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, a

voluntary program for foster parents to mediate complaints

concerning the rights of foster parents, as provided for in Section

1-9-119 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes, that relate to

certain actions, inactions or decisions of the Department of Human

Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or child-placing

agencies that may adversely affect the safety and well-being of

children in the custody of the state;

6. Receive any complaint alleging that an employee of the

Department of Human Services or a child-placing agency has

threatened a foster parent with removal of a child from the foster

parent, harassed a foster parent, or refused to place a child in a

licensed or certified foster home, or disrupted a child placement as

retaliation or discrimination towards a foster parent who has:

a. filed a grievance pursuant to Section 1-9-120 of Title

10A of the Oklahoma Statutes,

b. provided information to any state official or

Department employee, or

c. testified, assisted, or otherwise participated in an

investigation, proceeding, or hearing against the

Department or child-placing agency.

The Office of Juvenile System Oversight shall forward the

complaints to the Office of Client Advocacy for investigation

pursuant to subsection D of Section 1-9-112 of Title 10A of the

Oklahoma Statutes. The Office of Juvenile System Oversight shall

work with the Office of Client Advocacy to ensure the complaints are

investigated and resolved in accordance with the grievance

procedures provided in Section 1-9-120 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma

Statutes. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any

complaint by a foster parent regarding the result of a criminal,

administrative, or civil proceeding for a violation of any law,

rule, or contract provision by that foster parent, or the action

taken by the Department or a child-placing agency in conformity with

the result of any such proceeding;

7. Issue reports to the Governor, Speaker of the House of

Representatives, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Chief Justice

of the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, any appropriate

prosecutorial agency, the director of the agency under
provision by that foster parent, or the action

taken by the Department or a child-placing agency in conformity with

the result of any such proceeding;

7. Issue reports to the Governor, Speaker of the House of

Representatives, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Chief Justice

of the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, any appropriate

prosecutorial agency, the director of the agency under

consideration, and other persons as necessary and appropriate; and

8. Provide recommendations to the Oklahoma Commission on

Children and Youth on or before May 1 of each year.

F. The Office of Juvenile System Oversight shall not release

information that would identify a person who makes a complaint to

the Office, unless a court of competent jurisdiction orders release

of the information for good cause shown.

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