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Senate removes 'national' requirement from CASA statute over objections from some members
Summary
Senate Bill 1597, which removes a statutory reference to national CASA standards while keeping local training and background checks, passed 41‑7 after extended questioning and debate about the role of uniform trainings (including diversity/equity instruction) in protecting children.
The Oklahoma Senate on third reading narrowly advanced Senate Bill 1597, which removes the statutory requirement that the state CASA association follow specific national standards while retaining mandates for training, background checks and civil liability protections for court‑appointed special advocates.
Senator Gallaher, the bill sponsor, said SB 1597 "updates statutes by removing the requirement that the state CASA Association adhere to specific national standards while maintaining existing training, background checks, and civil liability protections for court ordered special advocates." He argued the change allows Oklahoma programs to adopt state‑appropriate standards and avoid paying for national advertising and services that do not fund local CASA operations.
During questioning, Senator Goodwin and others asked why the word "national" was being removed and whether some national training material could be beneficial. Senator Gallaher replied that local CASA programs will continue to complete required training and obtain program approval, and that national CASA does not provide federal or state funding to local programs.
Opponents pressed the point that some training cited as "national" included content that helps protect children. In debate, Senator Boren said she would "have to vote no on a bill that I plan to vote yes on" because she fears removing the national reference could deprive volunteers and professionals of training that helps identify child‑safety issues. Boren described an instance she said she had seen in legal practice in which DEI‑related training aided clinicians and lawyers in distinguishing certain skin pigmentation from bruising and avoided wrongful removals.
Secretary Gollihar (responding in closing) emphasized the sponsor's intent: "Oklahoma CASA serves children, all children. This bill is about Oklahoma children. It protects our children by providing greater state level flexibility by allowing Oklahoma's CASA program to adopt standards to state needs without being statutorily bound to an external organization." He urged members to support the bill.
The Senate recorded final passage 41‑7. Supporters said the bill preserves required local training and program approval while removing statutory language tying the state program to an external nonprofit; opponents said the change could weaken uniform training standards that have practical child‑safety consequences.
The bill will proceed as the legislative process requires; sponsors indicated willingness to work on language clarity if concerns arise on the other chamber’s side.
