SECTION 340:75-10-8. Purpose and authority

(a)   Purpose. The emergency shelters managed and operated by Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) provide, temporary placement for children ages 0 to 17 years of age who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.

(b)   Authority. OKDHS is authorized pursuant to Section 1-9-111 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes (10A O.S. § 1-9-111) to manage and operate the children's shelter located in Oklahoma City, known and designated as the Pauline Mayer Children's Shelter, and the children's shelter located in Tulsa, known and designated as the Laura Dester Children's Center.

(c)   Certification. OKDHS managed and operated shelters are certified by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth in accordance with 10 O.S. § 601.3 and the Child Care Facilities Licensing Act.

(d)   Admissions.

(1)   Children between the ages of 0 and 17 years of age may be admitted to an OKDHS-operated shelter by a:

(A)   law enforcement officer who has assumed protective custody of the child without a court order;

(B)   law enforcement officer who has executed a court order for emergency custody of the child;

(C)   child welfare specialist with court-ordered emergency custody of the child; or

(D)   child welfare specialist, when the child is in the emergency, temporary, or permanent custody of OKDHS and the child has experienced a placement disruption.

(2)   Children with substantial physical injuries, medical problems, or who appear chemically intoxicated, are seen by medical personnel prior to admission to the shelter. An examination is facilitated before admission by the police officer when the child is in protective custody or by OKDHS when the child is in OKDHS emergency, temporary, or permanent custody.

(e)   Capacity. The Pauline E. Mayer Children's Shelter has a licensed capacity of 48 children and the Laura Dester Children's Center has a licensed capacity of 63 children. Pursuant to 10A O.S. § 1-9-111, OKDHS has structured a plan to place no more than 25 children at a time in each OKDHS managed and operated shelter. Foster care homes are utilized for placement of children instead of the shelters when possible.

(f)   Confidentiality. In accordance with 10A O.S. § 1-6-103, information acquired as a result of a child's placement in the shelter is confidential and may be disclosed only as provided by the Oklahoma Children's Code, applicable state or federal law, regulation, or court order. OKDHS is not prohibited from disclosing confidential information necessary to secure appropriate care, treatment, protection, or supervision of a child alleged to be abused or neglected.

[Source: Added at 15 Ok Reg 239, eff 11-1-97 (emergency); Added at 15 Ok Reg 933, eff 12-16-97 (emergency); Added at 15 Ok Reg 1663, eff 5-11-98; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 2131, eff 6-11-01; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 894, eff 7-1-11]