Representative Mike Dobrinski praises Bartlett Bouse as new member of the Board of Juvenile Affairs, replacing Sean Burrage
Published: July 18th, 2021
In Oklahoma, the Board of Juvenile Affairs sets policy for the state Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA). Bartlett Bouse, of Woodward, recently joined the Board.
Along with the governor and the Senate President Pro Temp, Speaker of the House Charles McCall, R-Atoka, appoints members to the Board of Juvenile Affairs, which sets policy for the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.
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CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, commented on the appointment of Bartlett Bouse to the Oklahoma Board of Juvenile Affairs by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.
“Mr. Bouse’s career in family law and juvenile justice, as well as his experience in the district attorney’s office, will be invaluable as he serves on the Office of Juvenile Affairs Board of Directors,” Dobrinski said in a press release from state House staff sent to CapitolBeatOK.com and other news organizations.
“I am pleased Bart has agreed to serve his community and northwest Oklahoma in this capacity, and believe he will do so with honor and distinction.”
Dobrinski recommended Bouse, a constituent, and he thanked Speaker McCall for appointing him to the board. Bouse’s term started immediately upon his appointment. He replaced board member Sean Burrage.
Bouse, of Woodward, received his juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and a bachelor of science in accounting from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.
He has practiced general law at his personal firm, Bouse Law Firm, in Woodward, since July 1999. Before that, he was an assistant district attorney in the district attorney’s office in Woodward.
Bouse is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and is admitted to practice in Oklahoma, the U.S. District Court-Western District of Oklahoma and the U.S. Court of Appeals-Tenth Circuit.
He served as a member of the Western Plains Youth and Family Service Board, including as president of the board, and as a member of the Woodward County Post Adjudication Review Board. He was commissioner of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth and a board member of the Woodward United Fund. Bouse also has served on a number of civic boards, commissions and campaigns.
Burrage, a vice president at the University of Oklahoma, had served on the juvenile justice board since 2017. This spring, Burrage notified Speaker McCall – who had (under new legal provisions) appointed him to the post in 2019 – of his intention to resign.
Burrage served eight years in the Oklahoma State Senate (2006-2014). In leaving the OJA Board, Burrage said in a letter to Speaker McCall, “My position at the University of Oklahoma is very demanding, and I need to give as much attention as possible to my duties in that regard. Please know that I feel very confident in the current board and the Executive Director, Rachel Holt.”
Burrage is known for his passion for juvenile justice system reforms. In addition to his legislative service, he was president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University for five years, and previously was a partner in the Taylor Burrage Law Firm.
The Board of Juvenile Affairs sets policy for the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) and is the rulemaking body for the office. The board is responsible for reviewing and approving the budget, assisting the agency in planning activities related to the priorities and policies of the agency, providing a public forum for receiving comments and disseminating information to the public, and establishing contracting procedures for the agency and guidelines for rates of payment for services provided by contract.
Note: Mike Dobrinski represents District 59 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes which includes Dewey County, and parts of Blaine, Canadian, Kingfisher and Woodward counties. Patrick B. McGuigan contributed to this report.