Note:  Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE.

Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills.

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• After School and Summer

• Age-Related Issues

• Behavioral Health

• Education

• Gun Policy

• Housing Legislation

• Immigration

• Public Safety

After School and Summer

By Katie Riley

This past week was extremely busy. HB 3039 which would have appropriated moneys from the General Fund to the Department of Education and would have required the Department of Education to study methods for increasing the availability of summer and after-school academic and enrichment programs was dropped.  HB 2007 which would modify requirements for the summer learning program to emphasize literacy and accountability was amended to HB 2007-A and heard in the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education where it was passed.  The accompanying funding bill HB 5047-A was also heard at the same time and passed.  HB 5047 provides $35 million for summer 2025 and $47 million in 2026 and 27.  It also provides for a special summer learning grant fund outside the general fund; thereby, establishing a sustainable funding source that allows for advance planning.  The Oregonian  published an article about the swift action on these bills that is a good description of the process.

It is disappointing that the funding that has been passed for HB 2007 will be tightly focused on literacy and testing and will not go to all districts; however, it is encouraging that funding will be provided for summer learning, the funding is being established in a separate fund outside the general fund, and it will be provided over three years to allow for advance planning.  It is hoped this bill will set a precedent for future allocations that will include specific funding for after school hours care with enriched programming that allows more opportunity for children to enjoy their time outside regular school hours while being inspired to pursue academics toward interesting career paths.

HB 3941 which was introduced to allocate $4,990,000 for a grant program to establish up to 5 community schools at $170,000 per year in matching funds was scheduled for a a work session on April 7th but it was  removed from the schedule.  It is now dead.

SB 1127 which would have provided for grants to develop and provide educational activities during recess, lunch or after school for Title I elementary schools was voted down in the Senate Committee on Education.  It was noted that school foundations might be a better source of funding for these activities.

It appears that some legislators are introducing amendments to bills to clarify that bills cannot “discriminate” against certain groups of people.  They appear to be motivated by the federal administration’s desire to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts that prioritize groups that have been underserved.  Since the bills are largely neutral and not specifying DEI activities, most of the amendments were not passed. 

However, HB 3008 was amended to include wording that allocations “will be based on merit and without discrimination or preferential treatment on the basis of race or ethnicity.”  The bill would allocate funds to different agencies for investment in the child care workforce, including $9 million from the General Fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) in the 2025-27 biennium for distribution to Portland State University to fund recruitment and retention payments to childcare providers working in Oregon through the Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education. The measure also includes a one-time appropriation of $6.5 million from the General Fund to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) in the 2025-27 biennium for distribution to childcare workforce training programs.  The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.  

HB 3011, which establishes the Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Fund and appropriates moneys for community colleges and public universities in this state that offer early childhood education degrees and certificates had a work session on April 8th in the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.  Testimony was submitted earlier in support of this bill.  The bill received a Do Pass recommendation for a House floor vote.

HB 2593 which would direct the Department of Early Learning and Care to study the impact on student parents and working parents who are on the Employment Related Day Care subsidy  waitlist (currently over 10,000) had a work session on April 8th in the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services.  It was sent to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

Age-Related Issues

By Patricia Garner

HB 3497A Amendment 1 requires 14-plus State agencies to consider the effects of their actions on older adult populations. It passed unanimously (with one excusal) in the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services and was referred to Ways & Means.

The portion of HB 3187A that authorized employees to present evidence of disparities in salary, length of service and pension/retirement status in order to prove a workplace age discrimination case has been eliminated, leaving only the language that prohibited employers from asking about an applicant’s date of birth or graduation date, unless a conditional offer of employment had already been made or age was an intrinsic feature of the job (i.e, a bartender).  On a party line vote, the House Labor and Work Standards Committee passed the amended bill (HB 3187 A – Amendment 1) with a “do pass” recommendation.

Behavioral Health

By Stephanie Aller and Patricia Garner

On April 8th  the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee unanimously passed  HB 2015 Amendment 3 with a “do pass” recommendation and a referral to Ways & Means. This wide-ranging bill addresses regulatory barriers in building and operating secure residential treatment facilities (SRTF’s), residential treatment facilities (RTF’s) and residential treatment homes (RTH’s) in Oregon. It directs the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to study nursing requirements in SRTF’s and to assess alternative methodologies for reimbursement. At the present time federal reimbursement rates are much higher when a bed is actually occupied by a patient. This seems to make sense until one appreciates that there are situations where, for example, a temporary leave is appropriate to foster a good placement. The current reimbursement system incentivizes these facilities to keep individuals continually and for longer periods than might be necessary. 

HB 2467 Amendment 3 passed unanimously in the House Judiciary Committee with a do pass recommendation and a referral to Ways and Means. The last-minute referral to Ways and Means was unexpected and may reflect some opposition that hasn’t surfaced to date. If it passes, HB 2467 Amendment 3 will likely have a significant state-wide impact because it clarifies the standard by which someone is considered sufficiently dangerous to self and others such that civil commitment is warranted.

HB 2480 Amendment 1 passed unanimously without recommendation in the House Judiciary Committee and was referred to the Joint Committee Addiction and Community Safety Response. The bill itemizes factors that courts may consider when determining whether a defendant is mentally competent to proceed, or “aid and assist” in their defense, in a criminal proceeding. These include, for example, prior evaluations, evidence of a prior diagnosis by a certified evaluator or qualified mental health practitioner, prior commitments, and/or the defendant’s conduct as observed in court. HB 2480 Amendment 1 also authorizes the Oregon Public Guardian and Conservator to provide guardianship services for criminals whose criminal proceedings have been suspended because of a lack of mental competency. A temporary guardian may also be appointed. 

Two bills (HB 3835 - Amendment 1 and 2 and SB 1113) were filed at the beginning of the Session. Both addressed restraints and seclusions in schools and health care agencies, as well as out-of-state placements. Senator Sara Gelser Blouin sponsored the Senate bill. Representative Nosse is the Chief Sponsor for HB 3835. The Senate bill used a more restrictive standard in allowing restraints and seclusions, but a scheduled Work Session was removed from the Senate Human Services Committee’s calendar and so will not be proceeding. The House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services unanimously adopted HB 3835 Amendment 3, with two excused, but without recommendation as to passage. It was referred to Rules.  At the conclusion of the hearing the Committee Chair Representative Nosse gave a strong statement that this bill was not being sent to Rules to die but that were still some items to discuss and he anticipated the bill’s passage.

HB 2202 Amendment 1 (coordinated care organizations) passed the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee with a do pass recommendation and a referral to Ways and Means. The vote was on party lines, with Democrats voting in favor. The bill looks like a work study bill and the OHA is directed to report its progress to the legislature by September 15, 2026, but there are a number of other more substantive provisions. As an example, it adds standards and requirements for CCO annual reports and requires OHA to convene an accreditation advisory committee annually rather than as needed.

Funding bills – A number of bills relating to behavioral health matters were passed in Committee and referred for further budgetary consideration, including: 

HB 2024 Amendment 3 - unanimous,  $20 million OHA to develop and implement incentive payments which are designed to increase the wages of residential, out-patient, outreach and medically assisted treatment providers so they are competitive with for-profit and hospital providers; $20 million in grants to behavioral health care providers for defined services, $5 million for the purpose of establishing a program designed to enhance training, education and apprenticeship programs

HB 2056A Amendment 1 – unanimous, $64,890 appropriation to OHA for distribution to community mental health programs

HB 2059 Amendment 3 – unanimous, $90 million appropriation for building residential treatment facilities. League testimony

HB 2729A Amendment 6 – party line vote with Democrats voting aye, $7 million appropriation for OHA to develop and implement grant programs for school districts, education services districts and entities that provide physical or behavioral health services to be used to increase and improve school-based mental health services and substance abuse prevention

SB 920 was sponsored by Senator Daniel Bonham (Republican). It directs the Oregon State University Extension Service to accelerate the promotion of behavioral health in Oregon by convening local communities to develop plans that promote behavioral health and facilitate community conversations about mental health and substance abuse. All members of the Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee voted for the bill except for Representative Diane Linthicum (Republican) who did not state her reasons for voting against it.

Education

By Jean Pierce

Bills of interest receiving Do Pass Recommendations: 

HB2009 A /SB141 A  are identical bills, both of which received Do Pass recommendations from their respective Education Committees, with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.. They require the Department of Education to study the adequacy of public education in Oregon.   

SB 315 A    would require the Oregon Department of Education to review and make recommendations for recording student absences by school districts as well as school districts' responses to student absences that exceed10 days.  (Senate Education)

HB 2251A   would  require school district boards to adopt policies for the use of personal electronic devices by students (excluding laptops) that prohibit the use of personal electronic devices by students during instructional time. It requires policies to provide for the use of devices if medically necessary or part of a student's individualized education program or Section 504 plan.(House Education)

Two bills of interest received Do Pass recommendations with referrals to Ways and Means from the House Education Committee. Currently, LWVOR has no K-12 position addressing the need for Attracting and Supporting Well-Qualified Teachers. This is one of the positions being proposed for Concurrence at our state convention. 

• HB 3200 A  would provide scholarships  for teacher candidates who have experience with diverse populations.  

• HB 3040 A would provide grants for professional development for early literacy coaching for schools and districts for students with the highest needs in 3rd grade proficiency.

Impact of Federal Actions on Oregon 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) and Title I Funding

On April 10th, Oregon’s director of education, Charlene Williams responded to a US Department of Education letter requiring states to end programs supporting DEI or lose millions in Title I funding. Dr. Williams reported that Oregon is refusing to sign a letter which would have confirmed compliance with the edict. Oregon receives close to $134 million in Title I funds, which go to 40% of the state’s schools and serve over 200,000 students from low-income families. 

Lawsuit Concerning Cuts in Funding for Math and Literacy Project: 

Last week’s Legislative Report noted that the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) had lost millions of dollars in federal funding for literacy and math programs. On April 10th, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined with 15 other Attorneys General to sue the Trump administration for suspending the funding. 

• Math Instructional Framework - Development of a math instructional framework to ensure students across the state are receiving the highest quality math instruction to support their learning and boost their outcomes.

• Oregon Literacy Practitioners Network - Establishment of a network of Oregon literacy ambassadors sharing best practices among educators to improve the quality of literacy instruction students receive around the state.

• Oregon Adolescent Literacy Framework Professional Learning Resources - Development of training modules, a collection of research and other literacy resources, as well as practical tools to support educators implementing the newly released Oregon Adolescent Literacy Framework for grades 6-12 in their classroom instruction.

• Instructional Framework - Development (including research and engagement) of a statewide instructional framework so that regardless of zip code Oregon students can count on excellent instruction.

• Regional In-Person Training For Educators - In partnership with Oregon’s Education Service Districts, provide five summits throughout the state (along with a communication campaign) for teams to use the new instructional resources in Early and Adolescent Literacy and prepare to bring this learning into their schools and classrooms. 

ODE detailed the cuts as follows:

•  $1.5 million for a series of different instructional frameworks and the resources to accompany them, 

• $1.2 million for educator development opportunities, 

• $745,000 toward communications and technical assistance.

Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)

An executive order calling for the end of the Institute for Museum and Library Services has led to the termination of grant programs including the Oregon Battle of the Books. OBOB is a statewide initiative, which invites students in grades 3-12 to compete in teams to answer questions about a variety of books. Congress had approved funding for the program, which brought $26,000 to the state for this popular program. 

Gun Policy

By Marge Easley

There was mostly good news on the progress of gun policy bills as the Judiciary Committees reached their deadline for first chamber bills. On the House side, two of the most evidenced-based bills, HB 3075 and HB 3076, were amended and passed House Judiciary on a 5-3 vote with a do pass recommendation and referred to Ways and Means. HB 3075, containing implementation details for Measure 114 (2022), requires permits to purchase a firearm and bans high-capacity magazines. HB 3076 creates a gun dealer licensing program. However, a big disappointment was the cancellation of the hearing for HB 3074-1, which would have increased the use of Extreme Risk Protection orders with the goal of lowering Oregon’s high rate of suicide. Hopefully this bill will resurface in 2026. Also cancelled was HB 3884, which would have facilitated the ability of gun dealers to temporarily store firearms for those at risk of suicide. 

On the Senate side, two key wins were the passage out of committee of SB 1015 and SB 243. SB 1015, authorizing funding for community violence Intervention and prevention program, unanimously received a do pass recommendation and a referral to Ways and Means. SB 243, an omnibus bill that originally combined four previous bills, passed out of committee on a 4-2 vote with a Do Pass referral. Although the age restriction of 21 to purchase a firearm was stripped from the bill, it still contains a 72-hour waiting period for a firearm purchase, a ban on rapid fire devices, and a watered-down expansion of the ability of public spaces to be declared “gun free zones.”    

Housing

By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona

Long-term rent assistance for youth

On April 16, the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness will hold a hearing on SB 814 A. This bill, administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) would expand eligibility criteria for its existing Long-Term Rent Assistance Program. Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) youth under the age of 25 would have an opportunity to access long-term rental assistance to achieve a greater level of housing security. Youth assisted would be those exiting a childcare center or youth correctional facility. This measure also requires OHCS to consult with the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), among other stakeholders. 

At least 14% of youth who were committed to OYA since October 2022 have already experienced some period of homelessness. Studies indicate that housing instability increases the risk for recidivism. Achieving success for youth following involvement with the juvenile justice system is challenging at best. Many of these youth have experienced trauma and instability in their childhood and young adult life. Finding suitable housing with a criminal record and no rental experience poses additional hurdles. This bill will assist youth by providing a safe and stable home so they can devote their attention to employment, education, and family. 

Investing in the success of youth can help them achieve long term stability and success. Also, stable housing can offer a solid foundation for growth and opportunity. The League wrote in testimony in support of this important bill.

Immigration

By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith

Public Safety

By Karen Nibler

HB 2677 on the expunction process for juvenile court records was tweaked again this session.  The expunction laws for law violations by youth under 18 have been revised in the more recent sessions. The court can grant expunction within 60 days of application if there were no felonies or misdemeanors involving violence. So this should be the final revision. The bill was passed with Amendment 7 and sent to Ways and Means.

Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency, Governance, and Natural Resources report sections.