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Legislative Report - Week of 1/20

Social Policy Team

 

Coordinator: Jean Pierce  

  • After-School Care and Children’s Service: Katie Riley

  • Behavioral Health: Karen Nibler, Stephany Aller

  • Education: Jean Pierce

  • Equal Rights for All: Jean Pierce, Kyra Aguon

  • Gun Safety and Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley

  • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith, Becky Gladstone

  • Higher Education: Jean Pierce

  • Immigration/Refugee/Asylum: Claudia Keith

  • Health Care: Christa Danielsen,

  • M110 Public Safety, Justice Issues: Karen Nibler

  • School-Based Health Centers: Chloe Acosta, Anai Beng

  • Housing: Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan

  • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner

Jump to topic:



After School and Summer Care 


By Katie Riley


The legislature will soon begin its 2025 session, and some bills related to afterschool and summer care will be introduced. Comments in italics are added to the bill description:

HB3039 Directs ODE to study ways to increase summer and after school programs. (Flesch Readability Score: 67.7). Requires the Department of Education to study methods for increasing the availability of summer and after-school academic and enrichment programs. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education not later than September 15, 2026. Sunsets January 2, 2027 

HB3162 The Act gives money to ODE to provide grants to schools for child care before and after school hours. (Flesch Readability Score: 85.0). Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Department of Education for distribution to schools for the purpose of providing child care before and after school hours. Directs the department to report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to child care no later than June 30, 2027. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.


The task force that was formed in the 2024 session due to HB 4082 to plan for the future of afterschool and summer programs completed its final report in January. HB3162 may include the report’s request for $100 million. The Governor has proposed $78.5 million  for 2025 summer learning (summer school). The summer funding includes partnerships with community partners for care after summer school scheduled periods. 


Although the following bills are not directly related, it is possible that they will benefit afterschool and summer:


SB456 Provides money ($6mil) for grants to improve school attendance. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.2). Appropriates moneys to the Department of Education for distribution as grants to address the causes of chronic absenteeism. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025  Afterschool programs are effective in reducing absenteeism.


SB866 Directs ODE to study ways to improve the social emotional health of students and staff in public schools. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.6). Requires the Department of Education to study methods for improving the social emotional health of students and staff in public schools. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education not later than September 15, 2026. Sunsets January 2, 2027. Research has demonstrated that afterschool and summer programs are effective in improving social emotional health.


HB2814 The Act allows DELC to waive some requirements for a certified child care facility. The Act directs ELC to adopt rules for the number and age of kids allowed at a registered family child care home. (Flesch Readability Score: 64.0). Authorizes the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to waive certain requirements for certified child care facilities upon good cause shown and if the resulting circumstances protect the welfare of the children and the consumer interests of the parents of the children. Directs the Early Learning Council to define by rule the number of children per age group allowed at a registered family child care home. Declares an emergency, effective on passage. DELC also licenses afterschool and summer care providers. This bill may provide more flexibility to increase the number of programs available.


HB3008 The Act gives more money to different agencies for investment in the child care workforce. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.8). Appropriates moneys to fund child care workforce investments. Provides funds to PSU  for training child care workers. The training may also benefit afterschool and summer staff.


HB3011 The Act creates a fund for childhood teaching development at HECC. The Act declares an emergency. The Act becomes law on July 1, 2025. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.2). Establishes the Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Fund and appropriates moneys in the fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to provide funding to community colleges and public universities in this state that offer early childhood education degrees and certificates. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Afterschool and summer staff could benefit from this program.

 

Behavioral Health  


By Stephanie Aller


Behavioral Health-related bills introduced on January 13, 2025, include:


Behavioral Health Workforce

SB 527 directs OHA to award grants to local workforce development boards to provide programs to train high school students to enter the behavioral health workforce.

SB 608 would establish a certification program to provide training and support for home workers who care for individuals with complex behavioral health needs. Under certain circumstances, they may be able to receive a higher pay rate.

HB 2223 requires coordinated care organizations to contract with providers outside a geographic area if the area has limited access to that type of provider or service.

HB 2596 would enact a School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact.

HB 3129 would establish the Higher Education Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Fund. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission would distribute money from the Fund to community colleges and universities to assist in the training of behavioral health professionals. It would include scholarships and stipends for students pursuing careers as graduate-level, licensed, and certified behavioral health workers. 


Facilities

HB 2059 directs OHA to establish a unit dedicated to developing new adult behavioral health facilities.


Improving funding for in-home care for behavioral health

SB 538 would require ODHS to pay parents for attendant care services for minor children with developmental disabilities who have high behavioral health or medical needs.

 

K-12 and Higher Education


By Jean Pierce


Based on legislation filed so far which is related to our positions, LWVOR will be tracking bills relating to:


K-12 Education

  • Accountability for using public education funds

  • Adequate funding for the education of exceptional students

    • SB 317 State funding for special education

    • HB2953 Funding for students eligible for special education

  • Equitable funding for districts with high needs and limited resources

    • HB2517 Intensive program for school districts with highest needs

    • HB2589 Funding for public education

    • HB2904 Education

    • HB3037 State grants awarded by Department of Education


Higher Education:

  • Providing financial aid to students

    • SB604 Strong Start Program

    • HB2997 Higher education

    • HB3182 Aid to students in higher education

    • HB3183 Open Education Resources Program

  • Ensuring that there is a seamless path from secondary school to higher education.

    • HB2398 Direct admissions to certain institutions of higher education

    • HB2421 Direct admissions

    • HB2686 Re-enrollment of residents


Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

  • HB2433 Different treatment of persons by a public body



Immigration


By Claudia Keith

 

Rayfield joins intervention to protect health care access for some immigrants - OPB

 

Immigrants in Oregon could be significantly impacted by Trump’s second term. Here’s how - OPB (From international students to asylum seekers, the new administration’s plans could affect tens of thousands of people in the state…) “Editor’s note: As President Donald Trump takes office, OPB is providing a look over the week surrounding inauguration to understand how Oregonians voted, how they’re feeling now and how the new administration could affect Northwest communities through top issues like immigration, tariffs, criminal justice and the I-5 bridge replacement.” OPB

 

The League has very clear immigration/refugee, human rights and other social policy positions (state and national) and is following this currently developing situation. Find below an incomplete/tentative list of policy and or funding-related bills that may have traction. Additionally, there are a number of other bills supporting the new 2025 federal administration potential policies that, given House and Senate D super majorities, will likely not receive a public hearing.

 

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