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Commission debates bill to transfer freestanding child-abuse teams from OCCY to child advocacy network
Summary
Commissioners discussed House Bill 3637, which would move administrative oversight and funding for freestanding multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) from the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY) to the nonprofit Child Advocacy Centers of Oklahoma (COCA). The commission agreed to delay taking an official position pending more information and staff outreach to legislators.
The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth extensively debated House Bill 3637, a proposal to transfer funding and administrative oversight of freestanding multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) from OCCY to the nonprofit Child Advocacy Centers of Oklahoma (COCA).
Marsha Johnson, the commission’s legislative liaison, summarized the bill and the commission’s history of administering the child abuse multidisciplinary team account since 2015. She said the teams received $1,442,859 in 2025—about $34,267 per team—and that statute authorizes OCCY to retain 5% for administration (approximately $72,412 last year). OCCY currently employs one program manager and one training coordinator for the MDT program.
During the discussion, district attorneys and rural MDT coordinators warned that shifting oversight could erode local flexibility and rapid-response capacity in rural counties. David Tompkins, a McLean County detective and MDT director who spoke during public comment, said: “Both teams work very well together to accomplish the one goal, and that’s to help child abuse victims recover successfully,” and urged commissioners to keep freestanding MDTs under OCCY.
Other commissioners and guests said the bill’s text appears primarily to change oversight rather than operations, and supporters noted COCA could provide national-level training and additional supports. Commissioner discussion focused on two procedural questions: whether OCCY should “actively oppose” the bill or instead educate legislators about potential impacts, and what specific harms or benefits the transfer would create in rural counties.
The commission asked staff to gather more information, draft talking points that outline concrete operational impacts, and provide a written update on communications with bill authors and COCA before the March meeting. By roll call, the commission voted to table a formal position on HB 3637 until the next commission meeting; the motion passed with one recorded 'no' vote and one 'pass.'
Next steps: staff will meet with legislative authors and COCA, prepare a summary of identified impacts for commissioners, and return the matter for a decision at a future meeting.
