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HB 3849

Oklahoma Juvenile Code; Oklahoma Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Program; purpose; mentoring services; applicant requirements; grants; effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Coleman and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma establishes a mentoring program for children with incarcerated parents through grants to service organizations, aiming to reduce intergenerational justice system involvement.

Referred to Children, Youth and Family Services
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Bill Summary · HB 3849

Legislative bill overview

HB 3849 establishes the Oklahoma Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Program, which would provide mentoring services to children whose parents are incarcerated. The bill creates a grant-based funding mechanism to support organizations offering these mentoring services and sets eligibility requirements for program applicants and participating children.

Why is this important

Children of incarcerated parents face elevated risks of academic failure, behavioral problems, and eventual involvement in the criminal justice system themselves. This program aims to provide stabilizing mentorship that could interrupt intergenerational cycles of incarceration while addressing documented social and developmental needs in this vulnerable population.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source and budget impact: The bill does not specify how the mentoring program will be funded, which could generate debate about state budget allocation priorities and whether existing resources would be redirected
  • Program eligibility and scope: Disputes may arise over which children qualify (all incarcerated parents or specific crime types), geographic coverage areas, and whether services prioritize different age groups
  • Effectiveness and accountability: Questions about measurable outcomes, program evaluation metrics, and whether grant recipients will be held to evidence-based mentoring standards remain unspecified in current form

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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