Bill to expand definition of child abuse approved by legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) --Senate Bill 1773, authored by Sen. Michael Brooks (D-Oklahoma City) was unanimously approved by legislation on Feb. 19.

SB 1773 is a bill which would expand the definition of child abuse to better protect Oklahoma children and hold abusers accountable.

The bill extends the crime to include anyone who engages in or enables child abuse.

"We must do all we can to protect our youngest Oklahomans. Current law fails to hold those who live with a victim's parent or guardian accountable for committing abuse or failing to protect the child. We're seeing more cases where siblings, boyfriends or girlfriends or other adults living in the home are committing these terrible crimes or stand by while it happens and don't report the crime or help the child," Brooks said.

SB 1773 also defines "person responsible for a child's health, safety or welfare" to mean a parent, legal guardian, foster parent or an 18-year-old who lives with the child's parent.

The bill now moves to the full Senate.