A. A child who is sixteen (16) years of age or older may enter into contracts to obtain housing if the child receives a certification of unaccompanied status from a youth services provider that is licensed, accredited, monitored or contracted by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to provide care for an unaccompanied child pursuant to this section.
B. The certification provided in subsection A of this section shall show that the provider has determined the child is homeless, a victim of domestic violence or a victim of abuse as defined in Section 1-1-105 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes.
C. The provider shall issue the certification fourteen (14) days after sending notice via certified mail, return receipt requested, to the parent or legal guardian of the child. The notice shall include the child's full name, date of birth and a statement that the child is seeking to be certified by the agency as an unaccompanied child. If, after due diligence, the provider is unable to identify the whereabouts of the parent or legal guardian of the child, notice to the parent or legal guardian shall not be required.
D. In the event that the parent or legal guardian of the child contacts the provider and the provider believes that returning home would place the child at risk of abuse or neglect, the provider shall make a report to the Department of Human Services.
E. A certification of unaccompanied status pursuant to this section shall not discharge the parent or legal guardian of any parental or legal authority or duty regarding the care and custody of the child.
F. The Department of Human Services may promulgate rules for the purposes of implementing and administering this section.
Added by Laws 2021, c. 457, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.