A. 1. Any person having reasonable cause to believe that an incapacitated person, a partially incapacitated person, or a minor is suffering from abuse, neglect, or exploitation shall make a report to the Department of Human Services, the office of the district attorney in the county in which the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred, or the local municipal police department or sheriff's department as soon as such person is aware of the situation.
2. With regard to minors, the use of ordinary force as a means of discipline pursuant to Section 844 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall not constitute abuse.
3. Reports regarding the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an incapacitated person, or a partially incapacitated person shall be made and shall be governed by the provisions of the Protective Services for Vulnerable Adults Act. Reports regarding the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a minor shall be made and shall be governed by the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act.
B. Any person who knowingly and willfully fails to promptly report any abuse, neglect, or exploitation as required by the provisions of subsection A of this section, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
C. Any person participating in good faith and exercising due care in the making of a report pursuant to the provisions of this section shall have immunity from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed. Any such participant shall have the same immunity with respect to participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from such report.
D. Any person who willfully or recklessly makes a false report or a report without a reasonable basis in fact for such a report pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be civilly liable for any actual damages suffered by the person or persons being reported and for any punitive damages set by the court or jury which may be allowed in the discretion of the court or jury.
E. No employer shall terminate the employment, prevent or impair the practice or occupation of, or impose any other sanction on any employee solely for the reason that the employee made or caused to be made a report or cooperated with an investigation pursuant to the provisions of this section. A court, in addition to other damages and remedies, may assess reasonable attorney fees against an employer who has been found to have violated the provisions of this subsection.
Added by Laws 1998, c. 298, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.
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