Req. No. 136 Page 1 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE BILL 187 By: Pederson
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to children; providing access to
certain counseling services for foster parents and
certain children subject to specifi ed condition;
stating purpose; providing for reimbursement of
contracted providers; making counseling optional;
prohibiting certain penalties and discrimination;
providing for establishment of certain
qualifications; directing provision of certain
information to foster parents; providing for
codification; providing an effective date ; and
declaring an emergency .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1 -9-126 of Title 10A, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. Subject to availability of funding, foster parents and
children in the home other than foster children shall have access to
not less than six (6) hours annually of counseling services provided
by licensed mental health providers contracted with the Department
of Human Services.
Req. No. 136 Page 2 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
B. The purpose of providing the counseling services is to
retain safe, loving, and supportive foster h omes for children in the
custody of the State of Oklahoma.
C. The counseling services shall be provided at no cost to the
foster parent or child, and the mental health provider shall be paid
a rate for such services by the Department in an amount determin ed
by the Department.
D. The counseling services provided under this section shall be
optional for foster parents and children. Foster parents shall not
be penalized or discriminated against for seeking or receiving
counseling services under this section .
E. All licensed mental health providers who provide counseling
services under this section shall meet such qualifications as may be
established by the Director of Human Services. Such qualifications
shall include, but not be limited to, training in the Flash
Technique.
F. Prior to or upon placement of a child in a foster home, the
Department shall provide information on the counseling services
described in this section to the foster parents, including how to
seek such services.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
Req. No. 136 Page 3 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-1-136 DC 12/30/2024 1:56:24 PM