Stitt signs bill putting more rules on third-party supervised visitation

State Sens. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, left, and Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, right, talk on the Senate floor during special session on Oct. 3. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt  signed a measure that gives judges more information about third-party volunteers performing supervised visitation with children.

Senate Bill 1756, signed Thursday, requires volunteer supervisors to provide an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation criminal history background check.

It also requires them to provide an affidavit listing certain information about those who reside in their home. 

It also requires disclosure of any of the volunteer’s history of substance abuse and mental health history.

The measure requires the volunteer to be able to see and hear all interactions between the supervised parent and the child.

Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, said it was a meaningful step to ensuring the safety of children during supervised visitations when facilitated by third-party volunteers. She is the Senate author.

The bill was motivated by the murder of three children by their mother, Brandy McCaslin, 39, in July. A friend was providing supervised visitation. 

McCaslin took her own life. The slayings rocked the Verdigris community.

William Jacobson and Ryan McGee, the fathers of two of the three child victims, lobbied for the measure.

According to news reports quoting the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, McCaslin shot all three children before turning the weapon on herself.

“This tragedy shook our community to its core,” Seifried said. “While we cannot erase the pain of those we have lost, I am honored to have played a role, however small, in bolstering safeguards that may prevent future tragedies.

“The memory of those precious children will forever inspire our efforts to create a safer world for our Oklahoma children.”

Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, is the House author.

The measure takes effect Nov. 1.     

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