Advocacy Boot Camp Class III Application Period Closes June 1

Voters will decide State Question 832, the minimum wage increase, on June 16. If passed, the state question would boost the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 in 2027, to $13.50 in 2028, and to $15 in 2029, with further increases tied to the cost of living. The Oklahoma minimum wage matches the $7.25 per hour federal minimum wage, and is the same as 19 other states, according to Oklahoma Watch. Unchanged since 2009, this is the longest period without a federal minimum wage increase since it was created in 1938 during The Great Depression. Oklahoma politicians, regardless of whether Democrats or Republicans have been in charge, have never raised the minimum wage above the federal rate. Some contend the proposal is unwise and suggest policymakers instead expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). While I certainly can agree with this and other tax credits associated with supporting families (child tax credits and childcare tax credits), the Oklahoma Legislature refused to enact an EITC enhancement this year. Many proclaim minimum wage increases boost prices for consumers, but one could argue consumer prices on gas and food have risen without wage increases. The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research assessed prices increased roughly 0.36% for every 10% hike in wages, but the margin is widely debated by economists. The Economic Policy Institute reports that 19 states (not including Oklahoma) increased their minimum wages on January 1, boosting earnings for more than 8.3 million workers by a total of $5 billion. In addition, 47 cities and counties raised their minimum wages, adding to the number of workers likely to get larger paychecks. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80.3 million American workers age 16 and older were paid hourly rates in 2024, representing 55.6 percent of all wage and salary workers. Among those paid by the hour, about 82,000 workers earned the $7.25 per hour federal minimum wage, roughly 1% of workers; 760,000 workers earned less than the federal minimum (such as those whose pay is supplemented with tips). The Brookings Institution reported 53 million Americans ages 18 to 64 – 44% of all workers – earn a median hourly wage of $10.22, and for those working full time year-round, that is equal to annual earnings of $21,258. Data from 2022 shows that 89% of workers earning a sub-$15 wage are age 20 or older. Nationally, more than half of working single parents, an estimated 11.2 million, also fall into this category. In Oklahoma, approximately 200,000 workers earn at or near $7.25, which is about 5% of the population. While these make the legal minimum, a much larger unspecified percent of the population earns above $7.25 but below $10–$15 per hour, contributing to Oklahoma having the nation’s eighth highest poverty rate. This contributes to Oklahoma ranking among the worst states for utility shutoffs. Despite Oklahoma’s modest population, it had the third highest number of electricity disconnections in the country – not by percentage of the population, the raw number of cutoffs – according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. We are the 28th most populous state and had more utility cutoffs than the largest state, California. Those of us working to improve child wellbeing are watching this issue because parents’ low wages have a negative impact on children, making nutritious food, safe housing, childcare and necessary transportation harder to access. The Economic Policy Institute reports 200,000 Oklahoma children have parents who would get raises should the state question pass, taking many off state-subsidized programs, therefore reducing reliance on government aid. A minimum wage of $10 or greater also improves birth outcomes and children’s health and development, reduces child maltreatment, and has minimal negative impacts on employment. I encourage you to study all factors – the impact on families, the impact on businesses, the impact on the economy – before casting your vote to determine whether a minimum wage increase is the best policy for you and for our state. This is a decision which could have a major impact on many in our state, so do not just trust the commercials. 

The deadline for Oklahomans to register to vote in this year’s primary election is this Friday, May 22. The Oklahoman Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) is encouraging young Oklahomans who will turn 18 before the primary and who are not yet registered to “pre-register” by the deadline. “If a young person is going to turn 18 between the May 22 deadline and the primary election on June 16 and they want to vote, they need to register now,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “You don’t have to be 18 to register to vote; you just have to turn 18 on or by the election day.” As such, Dorman explained, if a young Oklahoman who turns 18 between May 22 and June 16 waits until his or her birthday to register, registration will be closed until after the primary, and they will not be able to vote despite having reached the legal age to do so under the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This is also the case in the 25 days leading up to the primary run-off election on Aug. 26 where the registration deadline is July 31, and in the general election on Nov. 3, where the registration deadline is Oct. 9. Individuals who will turn 18 on or prior to election day are allowed to pre-register to vote, despite not yet having reached the legal age to vote. This quirk in the registration deadlines and election days affects more Oklahomans than one might imagine, Dorman said. “Census figures tell us that an average of about 135 Oklahomans turn 18 every day,” he explained. “Registration closes 25 days before each election. Using that fact, combined with the number of Oklahomans who will turn 18 during the period registration is closed, means that 3,375 young Oklahomans turning 18 could be denied their right to vote unless they register before their birthday.” Dorman noted there have been statewide elections that have been decided by fewer votes than that. “We at OICA want to make sure that every eligible Oklahoman is registered to vote and are ready to cast their ballots on election day,” he said. “That is especially true of young Oklahomans who need to develop the lifelong habit of making their voice heard at the ballot box.” Oklahoma’s turnout rate for the Nov. 5 election in 2024 was 53%, the lowest in the nation, according to a report from the University of Florida. “A few highly motivated and engaged voters can make a difference in many local and state races,” pointed out Dorman. Oklahomans can register to vote online, in person, or by mail. To register using the Online Voter Registration System, the applicant must have a current and valid Oklahoma Driver License or State ID on file with Service Oklahoma and the address on the ID must match the address the applicant intends to use for voter registration. Individuals can register to vote at their county election board or with their local motor license agent. A directory of county election boards can be found on the State Election Board website at https://elections.ok.gov . Voter registration applications are available at county election boards, most tag agencies, post offices, and public libraries. Voters can also download a Voter Registration Application from the State Election Board website. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than May 22 for voting in the Oklahoma Primary Elections. All voters are encouraged to confirm their registration using the OK Voter Portal prior to the voter registration deadline. Voter registration changes regarding address or name change due to situations like marriage must be submitted no later than May 22, in order for those changes to be applied in time for the June 16 Election. The deadline to change political parties was on March 31 for the Primary Elections and any necessary runoff elections, which will be held on Tuesday, August 25. “Free and fair elections are the key to our freedom,” Dorman concluded. “We at OICA strongly encourage every eligible Oklahoman, including those who will turn 18 on or before election day, to make their voices heard.”

Recently, we lost four Oklahomans who made tremendous impacts for good on those around them. Two former lawmakers who I had the opportunity to first work for, then serve with, passed recently. Rep. Don Ross, D-Tulsa and Rep. Billy Mitchell, D- Lindsay, each had a profoundly positive effect on not only their legislative districts, but also the state. Representative Ross was a tireless advocate for civil rights and was one of the main proponents to elevate the conversation about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. I remember vividly his debate regarding the need to form a commission in the late 1990s to ensure history would not be forgotten and that the story surrounding this tragedy would be taught. Unfortunately, this event is not listed in law as a requirement for teaching, but schools around the state have done a very good job of including this in the curriculum. The event rose to prominence in many circles, partly thanks to HBO depicting the event in one of their shows, Watchmen. Without Don’s determination, that probably never would have happened. Don was awarded the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s (OICA) Laura Boyd Public Servant Award in 2021 for his work. I first became acquainted with Billy Mitchell when he served as my state representative when I was a child in Rush Springs; that was my first early experience with someone campaigning and sharing their vision for what public service should be. Later, as a legislative staff member, I had the opportunity to work with him, including his service as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. His leadership as A&B Chair was clear during the 2003 budget crisis as all 101 representatives served on the committee and he helped craft a budget agreement with Democrats and Republicans. He was a barber by trade, and there were several other trades he could claim, Chairman Mitchell was one who worked his way into positions which allowed him to do good for the working class of our state. Following his legislative career, he continued his service as a local official for his hometown of Lindsay, where he took great pride in helping keep his local hospital open. A dear friend of mine who dedicated her life to education passed recently, leaving behind her husband, young son, and many students she impacted during her career. Jennifer Owens Hill was an acquaintance through several friends until we served together through the YMCA Youth in Government Program. Jennifer was the longtime media director for the journalism component for the Conference on National Affairs, a gathering of YMCA students from across the nation where each develop a proposal to improve the nation. The media division students served as reporters to cover the events of the conference held in North Carolina. Jennifer also oversaw the same component for the state Youth and Government program. Jennifer was a beloved teacher at Putnam City West High School. The tributes which have been shared by former students and colleagues have each been heartfelt and indicate what a mark she left on so many. Finally, the OICA family lost one of our own with the death of Miller Hines. He was the young son of one of our former employees, Miranda Griffith. Miller was diagnosed with leukemia and fought a long and courageous battle against the disease. He never lost his upbeat attitude and was a hero for others under his nickname and hashtag #MightyMiller with the positive stories shared about his accomplishments. Miller even started an effort to gather comfortable blankets for children in hospitals so they would have something that was not so scratchy and that they could take home with them when they left the facility. Miller had members of the OU Football Team serve as honorary pallbearers at his service and the church was filled with his family, friends, and those touched by his kindness. Knowing these four Oklahomans was a blessing, for me and all those whose lives they touched. We at OICA extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends.

Time is running out to nominate individuals and organizations for the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Award for Child Advocacy. Nominations will close at 5 p.m., CDT on Friday, May 15. “The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards are given annually to an Oklahoma individual and an organization the public feels deserve special acknowledgment,” said Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA). “The process begins with nominations made by the Oklahomans and culminates with voting for the winners.” The Anne Roberts Awards are the only child advocacy awards that are initiated by public input and then determined by public votes. The awards will be presented at OICA’s annual Heroes Ball on Saturday, July 25. The first step in the award process, nominations for both the individual and organizational awards, is now open at https://qrco.de/26ARPCAHB . (NOTE: A QR Code to the address is attached to this press release.) A link to the nomination page is also available on OICA’s website at https://www.oica.org . The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards are used to select an individual or organization with its sole mission directed at serving youth through their work, paid or volunteer. We would like to see nominations come in for people or programs that have demonstrated excellence in improving the lives of Oklahoma’s youth. “From the nominations, the finalists are narrowed down by a committee of OICA board members,” Dorman said. “Then, the people will be able to vote to choose the winners in both the individual and organization categories.” Once finalists are selected, these nominees are asked to submit videos and biographical information that will be available for interested individuals to view on the OICA website and the organization’s social media before they cast their votes, which also will occur online and with a final ballot issued at the gala for attendees to also cast a vote. People may vote for a finalist in each category. Previous winners in the individual category include: 2017 – Brenda Lene’; 2018 – Cody Inman; 2019 – Judy Payne; 2020 – Ryan Abernathy; 2021 – Melissa Ahlgrim; 2022 – Amber Cuyler; 2023 - Alethea Satterwhite; 2024 - Mary Beth Talley; and in 2025 - Sarah Soell. Past organizational award winners include: 2017 – Whiz Kids Oklahoma; 2018 – Peppers Ranch; 2019 – Oklahoma United Methodist Circle of Care; 2020 – Diabetes Solutions of Oklahoma; 2021 – SoonerStart; 2022 – Fostering Connections; 2023 – Sara’s Project; 2024 - The Anna\’s House Foundation; and 2025 - M&R Doyle Holdings, Inc. The Heroes Ball is an annual gala to recognize the state’s champions for children and raise funds for OICA’s ongoing mission of child advocacy. Heroes Ball sponsorships, tickets, and tables are on sale now at https://tinyurl.com/Hero26Tix . 

UPDATE - THE GOVERNOR ALLOWED THE BILL TO BECOME LAW WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE. CHILD MARRIAGE WILL BE ILLEGAL IN OKLAHOMA WHEN THE BILL TAKES EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 1, 2026.

Each summer, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) holds its annual Heroes Ball to celebrate champions for children. The gala event – set for Saturday, July 25 at Oklahoma City’s Farmers Public Market – is also the nonprofit organization’s most important fundraiser. The theme for this year’s Heroes Ball is to honor America’s 250th Birthday while celebrating individuals and groups who have made profoundly positive impacts on Oklahoma’s children, according to Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “There are so many Oklahomans who work and struggle every day to improve the lives of Oklahoma’s children,” he said. “The Heroes Ball honors these champions who, in some cases, literally change the world.” This year’s Kate Barnard Lifetime Achievement Award winners fall into that category. OICA will honor Clara Luper posthumously and the Katz Drug Store sit-in youth. The Katz Drug Store sit in took place in August 1958, when a group of Black youth and their teacher, Clara Luper, held peaceful sit-ins at the drug store to protest segregation. That event began a chain of non-violent sit-ins across six years until Oklahoma City was no longer segregated. Several of those brave individuals who as teens conducted the sit-in will participate in a panel discussion that will serve as the Heroes Ball’s keynote. Kate Barnard, for whom the award is named, was Oklahoma’s first female statewide elected official, serving as the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections. She is regarded as the foremost child advocate of her time, working to protect young Oklahomans from corrupt systems which abused and took advantage of them. The Jay Scott Brown Individual Advocate Award will go to Carmelita Skeeter, the CEO of Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa. The award’s namesake, Jay Scott Brown, was a previous OICA Board Chairman who passed in 2022 following a career of service to the organization and other youth programs, including the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. The Organization Advocate Award will go to Pivot, A Turning Point for Youth for their work on behalf of children who are homeless, disconnected or otherwise at risk. The Henry Bellmon Public Servant Award will go to Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn. Commissioner Osborn previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for 10 years, reaching the position of chair of the powerful Appropriations and Budget Committee. As Labor Commissioner, she worked to protect child labor laws in Oklahoma and elevated social issues important to youth. The Laura Boyd Public Servant Award will be presented to former Oklahoma U.S. Senator, the late Fred Harris. Senator Harris had a distinguished career in the state Senate, served in the U.S. Senate, and ran for President of the United States in both 1972 and 1976. A strong leader in the civil rights movement, Harris publicly supported busing desegregation and the rights of Indigenous Americans, most notably the residents of Taos Pueblo and the Comanche Nation. Harris served as a board member for New Mexico Voices for Children, a counterpart organization to OICA, up until his death in 2024. The organization will also present two awards determined by public nomination and vote, The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards for Child Advocacy to an individual and an organization. The awards are named in honor of Anne Roberts, OICA’s longest serving CEO; it recognizes outstanding service to Oklahoma’s children by an individual and an organization, as nominated and voted on by the public. Nominations are currently open until 5 p.m., Friday, May 15 at https://qrco.de/26ARPCAHB . In addition, OICA staff and Board members are seeking donations for silent auction items. For more information on how you can contribute, contact OICA Program Director Licia Walters at lwalters@oica.org or at (405) 236-KIDS (5437), extension 5. Dorman concluded by noting that the Heroes Ball Committee and members of the OICA Board of Directors and staff are already hard at work to make this year’s event a huge success. “We encourage everyone to get their tickets early and when you join us, you are welcome to dress as your favorite superhero,” Dorman said. “The night is great fun for a great cause, and we cannot wait to see you there!” Sponsorships, tickets, and table sponsorships are available. They can be purchased at https://qrco.de/OICAHB26 .

We at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy appreciate the diligent work of lawmakers regarding children’s policies this year. It has been a tough year with impending federal budget changes, shifting more burden to states. Here are a few of the children-related bills remaining for consideration. House Bill 1082, which creates a rebuttable presumption of equal time for shared parenting custody, is eligible to be heard by the Oklahoma State Senate. The bill would need to go back to the Oklahoma House of Representatives prior to adjournment for this to reach the governor’s desk. Thank you to Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, and Sen. Jonathan Wingard, R-Ada, for writing this bill and to the other lawmakers who authored similar bills. House Bill 1979, by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, and Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, creates an Early Childhood Task Force to work towards creating a framework for a more efficient and effective governance for early childhood by possibly shifting current youth services to a single state agency. This bill is eligible to be heard in the Oklahoma House of Representatives this week. We also appreciate Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, for his work in this area. UPDATE - THIS BILL IS ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR; PLEASE CALL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AT (405) 521-2342 AND ASK THAT HE SIGN IT. House Bill 4454 by Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, and Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, would enact per package THC limitations on edible medical marijuana products, require labeling to not resemble candy packaging, and not be attractive to children. Oklahoma has seen an issue with children mistakenly thinking these items were candy, leading to a dramatic increase in emergency room visits. This bill is eligible for consideration in the Senate. UPDATE - THIS BILL IS ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR; PLEASE CALL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AT (405) 521-2342 AND ASK THAT HE SIGN IT. House Bill 3298 by Rep. Aletia Timmons, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, creates the Uniform Judicial Interview of Children Act to modernize how the court allows for child testimony and the conduct of interviews with minors, making practices age appropriate. This bill awaits a vote on Senate amendments in the House of Representatives. House Bill 3755 by Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Oklahoma City, would require the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) to provide to the operator of a youth detention facility all medication prescribed for a juvenile at the time of placement. It would also allow for OJA to provide funds directly to the facility for the purpose of acquiring prescribed medication if not available at the time of placement. This ties into a national issue on which OICA is working to see streamlined medical care services available for youth in detention facilities. The House has the Senate Amendments, and the bill is awaiting a final vote. UPDATE - THIS BILL IS ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR; PLEASE CALL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AT (405) 521-2342 AND ASK THAT HE SIGN IT. Senate Bill 1379, by Senator Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, and Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, would require the Office of Attorney General to establish a two-year pilot program to support victims of sex and labor trafficking. Grants could also be provided to partner organizations who support efforts to assist victims. House amendments to the bill are awaiting a vote in the Senate. UPDATE - THIS BILL IS ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR; PLEASE CALL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AT (405) 521-2342 AND ASK THAT HE SIGN IT. There are, of course, many other bills which will be considered in the remaining days of the session. We encourage you to reach out to your lawmakers to share your ideas on these bills and others. Citizen input is vital, and a few calls can truly make a difference. Many lawmakers will also work on ideas over the interim. That is when legislative committees consider ideas for the next session. These studies are an opportunity to raise awareness on bills for next year or issues needing attention. If you have a good idea for lawmakers regarding a youth issue, please send us those ideas at https://tinyurl.com/2026InterimStudySuggest . We will forward those thoughts to policymakers before the deadline to request these studies and look forward to working with them as they examine the issues. By hearing your ideas, this will help them create better laws for children in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma’s Kid Governor® for 2025-2026, Katelyn Talley (center) of Valliant Elementary in southeastern Oklahoma, is sworn in by Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma Gurich during a ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Feb. 2, 2026. Katelyn is flanked by her parents, Jessica Fulgham and Brandon Talley. Oklahoma’s Kid Governor® is a program administered by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) designed to teach fifth grade students about the importance of civic engagement. Teaching materials are provided, and the annual Kid Governor® election is conducted on ballots that resemble real ballots. Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open to all Oklahoma fifth-grade classrooms. (Courtesy Photo) Registration is now open for Oklahoma’s fifth grade teachers to sign up for their class to participate in the award-winning Kid Governor® program during the next school year. Teachers can register at the following website: https://tinyurl.com/KG2627Register and parents of children who will be entering the fifth grade are encouraged to share this information with those teachers in public, private, and charter school classrooms. Home school families are also allowed to use these materials to help educate students. The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) ran its own Kid Governor for six years in partnership with Sunbeam Family Services prior to working with the national Kid Governor® program in 2022, a program originated in Connecticut and has expanded to other states through a licensing agreement. The purpose of Kid Governor® is to educate students about elections and the role of elected officials, along with the importance of voting once the students reach age 18. “Every Oklahoma fifth grader in a classroom has the opportunity to learn about government through this project so long as their teachers sign up for the program,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “Oklahoma’s teachers will have access to an array of materials to help students learn the importance of democracy and our republic and the role they can play in it.” Dorman went on to emphasize there in no indoctrination in the Kid Governor® curriculum regarding any policy issue; these are only lesson plans describing the process of elections and duties of government officials. With this, students can be better prepared to be fully involved citizens as they age into adulthood and hopefully become active voters. Dorman said since 2026 is a gubernatorial election year, he expects even more excitement among the Kid Governor® classrooms and candidates as they get to mirror what is happening in the real world. More than 1,000 students participated in classrooms across the state in 2025. As of May 1, 2026, 120 students are registered for Kid Governor in the 2026/2027 school year. Those fifth-grade classrooms which are participating can also take part in the enhanced program which allows them to enter one student candidate into a statewide election based upon results from a local classroom election. Each student candidate will pick an issue important to them on which to run, and the classroom will vote for their favorite candidate. The classroom winners will then make two-minute campaign videos for the statewide competition, where a panel comprised of Oklahoma’s former governors – David Walters, Frank Keating, Brad Henry, and Mary Fallin – and OICA board members will narrow the finalists down to seven candidates. The campaign videos for the top seven selected will be shared with each participating classroom. The students will cast their vote on ballots that resemble the actual Oklahoma ballots. The candidate receiving the most votes will serve as the next Oklahoma Kid Governor® with the others serving in cabinet roles. The seven finalists serve a one-year term promoting their platform issue, leadership and advocacy, working with OICA to deliver speeches around the state. Each will have the opportunity to fulfill their campaign platform when they visit with lawmakers, while also mobilizing students to take action and make a difference on youth issues. “We appreciate each of these incredible adult leaders who give of their time to review the submissions, and that includes the teachers who help support this program to ensure it is in classrooms,” Dorman said. “Any Oklahoman who wishes to join in support of this program to ensure funding is sufficient can learn more at https://oica.org or by contacting our office.” Toolkits consisting of free, custom-designed lesson plans will guide classroom teachers through the program and teach students about state government in their state, the history and process of voting, and the importance of active participation in civic life. OICA is underwriting the cost of the program entirely through donations. Additionally, each student is provided with an educational comic book Mighty Mia and Dyna-Bit Save Democracy to have that was written by Dorman and partners with Literati Press in Oklahoma City. “The Kid Governor® program inspires students to be involved in the process and hopefully become lifelong agents of change for the better, maybe even running for Governor of Oklahoma someday,” Dorman said. “If young people are given an opportunity to learn these lessons at an early age, they will grow into the leaders that will shape our tomorrow, and at the least, become active voters.” Oklahoma consistently ranks nationally as one of the worst states in the nation for voter turnout of eligible adults who choose to cast a ballot. For more information about how you can help the Kid Governor® program, contact OICA at info@oica.org or call OICA Program Director Licia Walters at (405) 236-KIDS (5437), extension 5.

Over the past few years, a national movement has taken off in many states to establish a hardened rule in the law that 50/50 custody is in the best interest of the children of divorce. Such laws have passed recently in Arizona, Kentucky. Florida, Arkansas, Missouri, and West Virginia, with many other states – including Oklahoma – considering equal custodial time for parents, unless a proven reason is established which would dictate the split is not in the best interest of the child. Every child deserves a happy and safe youth filled with love from their parents, and children are statistically shown to be happier and well-adjusted when they grow up with both parents active in their lives, as long as the parents uphold their responsibility to raise their children in loving homes. In a perfect world, when children are involved, separated parents will find a way to co-parent and not allow the children to see any animosity between them. Unfortunately, far too many separated parents, men and women alike, use the court system to weaponize divorce. They drag the other parent through the costly legal system by using the child and custody issues to bankrupt the other. This is one of the issues we frequently receive calls about at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA): a parent desperate to find free or pro bono counsel to help with their battle to maintain a certain level of custody with the children involved. Unfortunately, there are very few resources out there to aid these mothers and fathers when the opposing parent has the financial ability to continually file challenges to modify the child custody time established by the family court. While we acknowledge equal custody is not a situation which is best with every case of divorce, and sometimes one parent might abdicate their responsibility, the data clearly shows that children statistically thrive better when parents are both involved in their upbringing. In fact, under the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study, separation from a parent is one of the assessed points of toxic trauma which hurts children long-term. Over the past three years, OICA has worked with lawmakers to see support for such a policy to become law in Oklahoma. House Bill 1082 would create a rebuttable presumption that joint legal custody, joint physical custody, and shared parenting time is most often in the best interest of the child. The measure also would specify that if clear and convincing evidence shows child abuse, domestic violence, stalking, or harassment has occurred, this would nullify equal custody. The measure would also direct courts to issue written findings if it is determined enough evidence has been presented to rebut the presumption. Courts would appoint guardians ad litem (GAL) to assist in constructing parenting time schedules which are consistent with the best interest of the children while maximizing the optimal time parents have with their children. Of course, if one parent opts for less time, that will be considered. More than one dozen lawmakers have signed in support of this legislation as authors or coauthors. The bill passed with bipartisan support from the House of Representatives by a 92-1 vote and the Senate Judiciary Committee with a 7-0 vote. We thank Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, for proposing solid amendments to the legislation which would strengthen protections for children, including the GAL language.  Senate Majority Leader Julie Daniels will hopefully schedule HB1082 for consideration by the full Oklahoma Senate before the May 7 deadline; the bill will also need one more House vote for final passage before the Legislature adjourns this year, or the bill will die. The calls OICA has received are truly heartbreaking when parents want shared time with their children. If you have a lived experience that relates to this legislation, I strongly encourage you to contact state senators to share your story if you feel this law would help children. You can find senators’ contact information at https://oksenate.gov/senators