OKMULGEE – The MCN National Council held a joint session of the Health, Education, and Welfare committee and the Business, Finance, and Justice committee on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The passed legislation will proceed to be voted on by the Full Council at the next regular session.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 26-080 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a professional service agreement with the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority (OCCJA). Representative William Lowe sponsored the legislation. It passed 9-0.
According to the legislation, Children and Family Services needs to secure a detention facility for Tribal juveniles. OCCJA will be able to provide detention services. MCN Director of Detention Services Robert Frost explained this contract will include four beds at the Okmulgee County Jail.
During discussion, Representative Dode Barnett requested a copy of the latest state inspection report. Representative Sandra Golden asked how often the facilities will be inspected. Frost’s team explained that caseworkers assigned to juveniles are required to visit once a month. However, it was explained that juveniles are visited once a week until they are adjudicated. During a state inspection in 2022, it was found that juveniles were not housed separately from adults in the Okmulgee County Jail.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
