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Greetings,
The 2021 Legislative Session has adjourned, and we write to share highlights of the work we have accomplished:
Behavioral Health Bills That Have Become Law
As Chair of the House Committee on Behavioral Health, my committee and I helped to pass a package of legislation aimed at increasing the opportunities for mental health support our state has needed for such a long time.
House Bill 2417: This bill sets up the infrastructure needed for the federally mandated 9-8-8 suicide crisis hotline, in addition to providing funding for mobile crisis response to help those having their worst day avoid incarceration, or worse. It gives those in crisis options other than engaging with law enforcement to seek mental health assistance in the moment it is most needed.
Here is a federal fact sheet with details on the upcoming 9-8-8 system: 988-fact-sheet.pdf (fcc.gov)
House Bill 2086: House Bill 2086 establishes a new behavioral health metrics committee through the Oregon Health Authority and requires OHA to increase reimbursement rates for co-occurring disorder treatment, provide start-up funding for treatment programs that provide integrated co-occurring disorder treatment, and establish programs ensuring access to culturally specific and responsive services.
House Bill 2980: HB 2980 establishes a new program to provide funding to four peer respite centers in the Portland metropolitan area, southern Oregon, central and eastern Oregon, and the Oregon Coast to serve individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Each peer respite center shall provide up to two weeks of continuous peer respite services to six or fewer individuals. At least one of the peer respite centers must participate in a pilot project designed specifically to provide culturally responsive services to historically underrepresented communities, communities of color, or to the nine federally recognized tribes in this state. Passage of this bill gives citizens experiencing a mental health crisis an immediate safe space to recover at the time that they need it.
House Bill 2949: This landmark bill establishes incentive programs funded by the American Rescue Plan Act to increase the capacity and diversity of Oregon’s behavioral health workforce. The measure provides $60 million to the Oregon Health Authority for incentives that increase the number of providers with specific credentials who are people of color, tribal members, or residents of rural communities who can provide culturally responsive behavioral health services. An additional $20 million is provided for a new grant program that enables behavioral health professionals to provide supervised clinical experience to associates in order for them to obtain a license to practice in their fields.
Other Legislative Highlights
House Bill 2528 was a major accomplishment that creates a licensure for Dental Therapists (more training than a hygienist, less than a dentist) to increase access to dental care in rural areas and in our most vulnerable communities throughout the state. This was a hard-fought bill that survived hurdles in both chambers and was a legislative priority for my office.
Read more about it here: Pamplin Media Group - Lawmakers OK new class of dental therapists
Senate Bill 562 (Indian Child Welfare Act – ICWA) requires Oregon’s judicial system to recognize tribal customary adoptions, which ensure that Native children who are surrendered or placed for adoption can remain connected to their tribe and culture. This bill was originally introduced and expected to pass in the 2020 legislative session, before the premature adjournment, and now is finally enrolled as law.
Read more about it here: Lawmakers strengthen Oregon Indian Child Welfare Act - KTVZ
HB 2052 requires school districts to allow students participating in high school graduation ceremonies and other school events to wear Native American items of cultural significance to celebrate their accomplishments. HB 2526 establishes Indigenous People’s Day as the second Monday in October to recognize history as it is, as opposed to what some want it to be.
Read more about HB 2052 here: Oregon bill allows Indigenous graduates to don feathers, tribal items (registerguard.com)
Read more about HB 2526 here: Oregon to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day - OPB
House Bill 2505 aims to remove bias from child welfare. Within Oregon’s foster care system, historically marginalized communities are deeply impacted by racism, ableism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, transphobia, and other systems of oppression, leading to injustices such as over-representation of these communities in Oregon’s foster care system. HB 2505 will strengthen the existing Governor’s Child Foster Care Advisory Commission and create a Child Welfare Equity Committee to provide oversight and policy recommendations to address bias.
You can find more information on this bill here: HB2505 One-Pager OFYC (oregonlegislature.gov)
Finally, House Bill 2527 addresses the excessive use of force, lack of accountability, discrimination against members of the public, and mistreatment of employees that sometimes occurs in the private security industry. The bill directs employers to obtain a license from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) that addresses these issues by providing approved professional training to employees and supervisors on preventing workplace sexual harassment and assault, preventing discrimination, and ensuring cultural competency and firearms training for armed officers.
You can find information on this bill and other police accountability bills here: Oregon police reform bills -- from anti-racism values to misconduct reporting -- just a start, advocates say (msn.com)
As a member of the People of Color Caucus, I’m proud to stand alongside other legislators and advocate for legislation that helps traditionally marginalized communities in our state.
Here is a recent article detailing our accomplishments and future goals:
Oregon’s BIPOC Caucus claims wins on addressing structural inequities, vows to push again on measures that hit road blocks - oregonlive.com
While not every measure that we introduced this session was able to pass through the entire process, we remain steadfast in our commitment to raise up unheard voices and speak truth to power. I remain honored to represent North and Northeast Portland, and grateful for the opportunity to serve the community.
Our work continues.
-- Tawna Sanchez
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1443
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-273, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.TawnaSanchez@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sanchez
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