Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 10A-2-7-802

A. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Juvenile

Justice Public Works Act”.

B. As used in the Juvenile Justice Public Works Act:

1. “Director” means the Director of the Office of Juvenile

Affairs;

2. “Public works project” means a project that has been

determined by the Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs to be

necessary for the public well-being and conducive to rehabilitation

and the reduction of recidivism among participating juveniles or

youthful offenders; and

3. “Juvenile or youthful offender” means any person who is

under the custody and control of the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

C. The Office of Juvenile Affairs shall establish and maintain

the Juvenile Justice Public Works Program. The purpose of the

Juvenile Justice Public Works Program shall be to:

1. Provide labor for community service projects in order to

develop lands pursuant to public works projects;

2. Provide improvements and beautification to public lands and

buildings; and

3. Reduce recidivism for juvenile or youthful offenders by

aiding such individuals in transitioning between institutions and

the community.

D. No juvenile or youthful offender shall be assigned to any

public works project if the offender:

1. Is deemed by the Director to be a threat to public safety;

or

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 10A. Children and Juvenile Code Page 454

2. Has escaped or attempted to escape from an institution or

other placement within the last year.

E. The Board of Juvenile Affairs shall promulgate rules as

necessary to implement the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Public

Works Act. At a minimum, the rules shall provide guidelines that

establish criteria for selection and assignment to the Juvenile

Justice Public Works Program and the duties to be performed by the

participants in the program.

F. The Juvenile Justice Public Works Act shall not be construed

to restore, in whole or in part, the civil rights of any juvenile or

youthful offender. No juvenile or youthful offender participating

in the Juvenile Justice Public Works Program shall be considered an

employee of the state or the Office of Juvenile Affairs, nor shall

any such participant be subject to the provisions of the labor laws

of this state. Any eligible juvenile or youthful offender assigned

to the Juvenile Justice Public Works Program shall be exempt from

the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act.

G. 1. All state and local government agencies, nonprofit

organizations, community service agencies, educational programs and

other treatment programs are immune from liability for torts

committed by or against any eligible juvenile or youthful offender

assigned to the Juvenile Justice Public Works Program, except that

the Office of Juvenile Affairs shall provide basic or necessary

medical and dental care to the juvenile or youthful offenders placed

in the program in such instances.

2. Without waiving the immunity of the state, the Executive

Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs may authorize the repair

or replacement of the personal property of a third party if the

personal property is damaged or destroyed by a juvenile or youthful

offender who is in the custody of the Office of Juvenile Affairs and

while participating in the Juvenile Justice Public Works Program.

Any personal property repaired or replaced shall be comparable in

kind, quality and cost to the original property. Reimbursement

shall not duplicate insurance coverage carried by the third party.