Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 63-1-227

Abuse Prevention created.

A. Sections 1-227 through 1-227.9 of this title shall be known

and may be cited as the “Child Abuse Prevention Act”.

B. The Legislature hereby declares that the increasing

incidence of child abuse and its attendant human and financial cost

to the citizens of Oklahoma requires that the prevention of child

abuse and neglect be identified as a priority within the children,

youth and family service system of this state. It is the intent of

the Legislature that:

1. A comprehensive approach for the prevention of child abuse

and neglect be developed for the state, and that this planned,

comprehensive approach be used as a basis for funding of programs

and services for the prevention of child abuse and neglect

statewide; and

2. Multidisciplinary and discipline-specific training on child

abuse and neglect and domestic violence be made available to

professionals in Oklahoma with responsibilities affecting children,

youth, and families, including but not limited to: district

attorneys, judges, lawyers, public defenders, medical personnel, law

enforcement officers, school personnel, child welfare workers, youth

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 63. Public Health and Safety Page 118

service agencies, mental health workers, and Court Appointed Special

Advocates (CASA). Said training shall be ongoing and shall

accommodate professionals who require extensive knowledge and those

who require only general knowledge.

C. For the purpose of establishing a comprehensive statewide

approach towards the prevention of child abuse and neglect there is

hereby created the Office of Child Abuse Prevention within the State

Department of Health.