Okla. Stat. tit. 43A, § 43A-14-102

A. The purpose of the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act

is to promote the general welfare of all citizens by establishing a

civil action for incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults which

provides for the protection of their rights and affords them a right

of civil action against those who neglect, exploit, or abuse them.

B. The purpose of the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act

is to allow incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults, through

their legal representatives, to pursue claims against persons who

neglect, exploit, or abuse the incapacitated person or vulnerable

adult if he or she lacks the capacity to pursue such claims on his

or her own behalf.

C. The Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act does not

preclude an individual's mandatory responsibility to report to Adult

Protective Services or law enforcement if there is reasonable cause

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 43A. Mental Health Page 249

to believe a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or

exploited.

D. It is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature:

1. That the district court shall exercise the authority

conferred by the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act to

encourage the development of maximum self-reliance and independence

of incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults and make appointive

and other orders only to the extent necessitated by the mental and

adaptive limitations of other conditions of the incapacitated or

partially incapacitated person warranting the action; and

2. That in performing their duties and exercising their powers,

legal representatives bringing claims under this act for

incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults shall:

a. assure, to the extent reasonably possible, that the

rights of the persons for whom they are appointed are

protected, and

b. encourage, to the extent reasonably possible,

incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults to

participate to the maximum extent of their abilities

in all decisions which affect them concerning the

claims afforded them under this act.