Oklahoma Board Recesses Meeting On DHS Lawsuit

Governor Mary Fallin and two top legislative leaders have reached no decision on whether to settle a federal class-action lawsuit that accuses the state of failing to protect foster children in its care.

12/27/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma DHS To Settle Class Action Lawsuit Wednesday

The Contingency Review Board met behind closed doors Wednesday to consider a proposal to settle the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa by New York-based Children's Rights, a national child advocacy group.

But after three hours, board members didn't vote on whether to accept or reject the proposal, and instead recessed the meeting until 2 p.m. Thursday.

The board consists of Fallin, House Speaker Kris Steele and Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman.

If they approve the settlement, it will bring the 3-year legal battle to an end.

Children's Rights accused the Department of Human Services of victimizing foster children and inadequately monitoring their safety. 

They argue that DHS was seizing children too often, placing them in large, institutional shelters, and caseworkers were juggling too many cases to ensure children in state custody were safe.

DHS had argued the system was reforming itself and it didn't need federal intervention.

With the trial just two months away and a judge denying the state's last two efforts to get the case thrown out, the commission overseeing DHS voted 6 to 3 to settle.

Now the Governor, the House Speaker and the Senate Pro Tem need to sign off on the deal.

The details of that settlement are not yet known. If it's approved, we will find out more. If not, it looks like DHS could be heading to trial in February.

The Associated Press contributed to this story

News On 6 reporter Ashli Sims will have more on the meeting tonight on the News On 6 at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.