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Hello Friends and Neighbors,

Spring has officially arrived in Oregon, which means everything is in full bloom- especially our Legislative Session as we near "Sine Die", the last day of Session on June 25th. Last Friday was the last day for bills to be heard in committee by the first chamber deadline on April 4th. Please refer to my Bill Updates section to check on the status of my priority bills.

Lately, I've been keeping busy with votes on the House Floor, committee hearings and group meetings with ODOT and other stakeholders regarding the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project.

I hope students can enjoy some time off with family and friends during Spring Break. Hopefully the sun will make an appearance sometime soon!

Representative Nguyen and I on the Floor

From Floor This Week

BILL PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS

House Bill 2002 (Reproductive Health and Access to Care Bill)

In our state, we believe in freedom, bodily autonomy, dignity, and respect.

• Time and again, Oregonians have affirmed their support for making abortion and reproductive healthcare safe and accessible to all.
• Our state has a long history of protecting and expanding reproductive health care, including access to abortion and gender affirming care. 
• We have been leading on abortion access since 1969, when we became one of the first states to legalize abortion. 
• More recently, in 2017, the Oregon Legislature passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), one of the strongest abortion access laws in the country, which codified the right to an abortion in state law and made the full range of reproductive health care more affordable and accessible for all Oregonians.
• Thanks to decades of work by advocates, community organizers, and elected officials to coalesce behind proactive legislation, abortion remains legal in Oregon–despite the dangerous Dobbs decision that overturned the right to abortion on the federal level. 
• But we want to make sure that beyond being a legally enshrined right in Oregon, abortion is accessible, affordable, and destigmatized.

About the Reproductive Health & Access to Care Bill 

• After the Dobbs decision overturned 50 years of precedent, other states around the country aggressively moved to ban and criminalize reproductive care.

• Here in Oregon, we convened a work group to analyze abortion access in the state and make recommendations on how to preserve and better our care system. 

• What we found in our work group was that significant barriers to the full spectrum of care still exist in our state for many communities, including: Low-income Oregonians, those living outside of the I-5 corridor, women, LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Immigrants, and people with disabilities.
• To address these barriers, this session we’re bringing forward the Reproductive Health & Access to Care bill (HB 2002). 

• This bill was designed in direct response to what we heard. 

• It moves Oregon forward in our work to protect, strengthen, and expand safe, equitable access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care—no matter who you are, where you live, or how much money you make.

• This legislation shows Oregonians: we’re listening. 

• Community and advocacy organizations, providers, clinic administrators, and issue experts identified challenges for patients seeking care, the obstacles healthcare providers and facilities face delivering care, and the potential legal issues patients and providers may come up against. 
• I’m proud that Oregon leads the nation in protections for reproductive health. But these protections don’t exist if not everyone has access to them. HB 2002 takes important steps towards closing this gap. 

About Gender-Affirming Care

• Gender-affirming care is age-appropriate care that is medically necessary for the well-being of many transgender and non-binary people who experience symptoms of gender dysphoria, or distress that results from having one’s gender identity not match their sex assigned at birth.
• Every major medical and mental health organization recognizes that it is medically necessary to support people in affirming their gender identity.
• Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the Endocrine Society, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association, have published policy statements and guidelines on how to provide age-appropriate gender-affirming care. All of those medical societies find such care to be evidence-based and medically necessary.
• Gender-affirming care is life saving care. And all of us deserve to have the freedom to be who we are. 
• HB 2002 expands coverage of medically necessary care that is aligned with standards of care (as determined by healthcare providers), so that the trans community can survive and thrive.
• A recent study suggests that once transgender people receive at least one gender-affirming procedure, their suicidal ideation can decrease by as much as 44%. 
• Gender-affirming care and reproductive care are inextricably linked—often, abortion providers are also the most accessible providers for trans healthcare, or the only place where transgender patients know they will be safe and respected. 
• It makes sense that these overlapping needs would be impacted by the same policy protections and can go together in one bill. 
• Gender affirming care for youth involves therapists, parents and health care providers all working together with the youth to determine what is in their best interest. 
• If asked: HB 2002 does NOT have anything to do with no longer needing parental consent for gender affirming care. 

My daughter, Emily at the White House meeting with Secretary of State, Shemia Fagan

Proud mom!

BILL TRACKING & THE BUDGET FRAMEWORK

Update on Bills I'm Sponsoring There has been an uptick in bill activity in Committees as we approach the First Chamber deadline on April 5th. This is the last day for policy committees to move measures introduced in their chamber (i.e. Senate bills in the Senate, House bills in the House) out of committee. The deadline does not apply to Ways & Means, Revenue, Rules, and other joint committees.​ There has been a rush by Legislators to meet this deadline, as most bills do not end up getting a hearing or a work session (a committee vote) before the deadline and therefore die early. I am pleased to report that most of the bills I am a Chief Sponsor of have received or are scheduled to have a work session before the April 5th deadline. Here is an update on my bill activity this week and upcoming next week:  House Bill 3097 A - This bill is a Committee bill from the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. I was proud to carry the bill on the House floor and give the Floor speech because this is an important change that will benefit the City of Hillsboro. The bill will streamline the administrative process for obtaining a certificate from the Water Resources Department to use water for hydroelectric purposes, which will allow cities like Hillsboro to take advantage of emerging technology that helps local governments transition to greener energy and meet their climate action goals. HB 3097 A passed the House unanimously and now heads to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.  House Bill 2614 - In Oregon, several pieces of legislation and the Governor’s Executive Order 20-04 have set goals for the state to address climate change. One of the proposed methods for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to mitigate climate change is to support electrification of the transportation sector and development of alternative vehicles and fuels. HB 2614 would require transportation network companies (like Lyft and Uber) to meet or exceed specified targets for a percentage of their service miles to be provided by zero-emission vehicles and establish a Rideshare Electrification Fund. This bill has a work session in the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment on on 4/3. House Bill 3197 - I am sponsoring this bill on behalf of Washington County. HB 3197 would limit the requirement that development regulations be clear and objective to development of housing within urban growth boundaries. There is a public hearing on 3/28 and a work session on 3/30 in the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness.  House Bill 3300 - This bill authorizes the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists to issue limited permits and removes the requirement that licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists be renewed annually. I am sponsoring this bill on behalf of the Mental Health Regulatory Agency. Their objective is to reduce service gaps and possible discontinuity of care for clients who rely on behavioral health services in Oregon. There is a hearing on 3/27 and work session on 3/29 in the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care. House Bill 3458 - I put forward this bill on behalf of the City of Portland to help streamline the process for land use decisions. The City of Portland worked with 1,000 Friends of Oregon to find a way to improve the process without weakening our land use policies. HB 3458 limits the issues that may be used as the basis for an appeal of land use decisions in cases where local governments amend a comprehensive plan or land use regulations. It also requires the  Land Use Board of Appeals to approve land use regulations that are not in strict conformance with the comprehensive plan if they actually further the goals of that plan. There is a hearing on 3/27 and work session on 4/4 in the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water.  House Bill 3595 - This bill establishes the Juvenile Justice Education Fund for the purpose of paying for educational services provided to youths in the Youth Corrections Education Program (YCEP) and the Juvenile Detention Education Program (JDEP). Additionally, it establishes the target funding levels for the programs and outlines which factors must be considered when the Superintendent of Public Instruction enters into a contract with an education service district or school district to provide educational services to youths in either the YCEP or JDEP programs. This bill is essential to ensuring adequate funding for educating youth in the juvenile justice system and I believe it is one of the most critical education investments we can make. HB 3595 had a hearing on 3/22 and has a work session on 3/29 in the House Committee on Education. House Bill 2998 - I am one of several Chief Sponsors of this bill that will create the Oregon Soil Health Initiative and appropriate $4.34 million General Fund moneys to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, and Higher Education Coordinating Commission for implementation. The goal of the Initiative is to promote soil health by advancing voluntary, incentive-based soil health strategies through activities that include providing technical assistance, outreach, education, financial incentives and supporting research. Initial inventories of Oregon’s soils were made in the 1970s by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with the OSU Agricultural Experiment Station and the Department of Soil Science. However, there are many factors impacting soil health, like changes in drought patterns, wildfires, and farming practices. A work session was held on 3/14 and the bill passed unanimously and now heads to Ways and Means.    Budget Framework Released by Ways & Means Chairs   Democrats in the Oregon Legislature began this session with a commitment to fixing what’s broken, ensuring that our state’s investments are fulfilling their promises, and holding our state agencies accountable. Yesterday, the Budget Co-Chairs released a budget framework that will protect vital services, get us the most for every dollar, and plan for the future by maintaining healthy reserves. This framework is a strong starting point. Now I look forward to taking part in the Ways and Means Roadshow and hearing directly from Oregonians about their priorities and what they value most in the state budget. View the Budget Framework here! Budget Framework Breakdown by Program Area:   Affordable Housing and Homelessness ● The Co-Chair’s framework accounts for the Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response package, early action taken by the legislature this session. The package will help shelter Oregonians living on the street, reduce evictions that lead to more homelessness, and ramp up affordable housing production made by Oregonians, for Oregonians across the state. ● The framework includes $29.9 million for the Emergency Housing Assistance program to protect access to existing affordable housing units, so that vulnerable renters aren’t pushed out into the streets. Stronger Schools ● Lifting up our schools, educators, and students this session relies on stable and sufficient education funding. This framework invests $9.9 billion in the State School Fund, almost $400 million over current service level, holding the State School Fund harmless from the 2.5% targeted reductions. ● Continued funding for Statewide Education Initiatives will support professional development for educational professionals and advance equity initiatives for underserved student populations at all levels, including higher education. ● A $929 million investment from the Student Investment Account will ensure schools have the stable and sufficient funding to improve literacy, graduation outcomes, and improve students’ lives. These dollars are targeted to support students’ behavioral health needs, increase academic achievement, and reduce academic disparities for students, while reducing class sizes and expanding the availability of and participation in well-rounded learning experiences. Access to Health Care, Addiction Treatment, and Behavioral Health ● Hold the Oregon Health Plan harmless from the targeted 2.5% reductions. ● Work to ensure that every Oregonian has access to quality, affordable care through investments in community-based care and in-home agencies, modernization of the state’s public health system, and universally offered nurse home visiting services. Community Safety ● Every Oregonian should feel safe in their community. Improving public safety across the state must take various forms, including continued investments in Community Corrections support to counties, an increase of 30 Oregon State Police Troopers, and additional diversity, equity, and inclusion training. ● This session, we will also continue supporting implementation of effective programs that reduce gun violence and improve behavioral health and addiction programs so we’re preventing problems before they lead to violence or police intervention. ● A critical component of our public safety work will include major reforms to and investments in the state’s public defense system. This framework includes targeted investments in addressing the public defender workforce shortage crisis to make sure every Oregonian gets the representation they have the constitutional right to. Economic Development ● Now is the time to invest in opportunities that will provide good-paying jobs in communities across Oregon, including investments in rural communities and the $200 million investment in the semiconductor industry will benefit the entire state and leverage Oregon’s investment by pulling down federal CHIPS Act. Climate and Environment ● In the past two years, Oregon has seen an increasing incidence of destructive wildfires, and other events directly attributable to climate change—resulting in deaths and the destruction of homes, businesses, the agricultural industry, and landscapes. This crisis is threatening our way of life. That’s why the Co-Chair framework includes an increase to wildfire response capacity, as well as enhancements to fire protection and prevention capacity. ● Oregon may not be a large state, but we have and will continue to set the pace for the rest of the country when it comes to meeting our climate goals while bolstering local economies. That’s why we’re focused on investments that will help us reduce carbon emissions, such as allocating $3.5 million for the Department of Environmental Quality for activities aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all sources.

Meeting on-line with Oregon Student Association (OSA). Discussing the Hunger-Free Campus Bill 

ADVOCATE SPOTLIGHTS

SEIU Public Services Lobby Day

Group of public sector workers represented by SEIU

On Wednesday, our office met with a wonderful group of public sector workers, including a constituent from our district who works with the Department of Human Services. They shared their workplace experiences, updated us on contract negotiations and advocated for a suite of labor bills. 

I am proud to consistently receive the endorsement of SEIU each election cycle, and I am a vocal supporter of workers' rights and representation. Our state’s workers provide critical services to so many people in need across the state. Care providers, state workers, local government workers and non-profit workers across our state dedicate a significant amount of time, energy and emotional labor into essential jobs that come with high risk and stress, but low reward. We must do better for them. 

Here are the four main bills they are pushing this Session. Click on the links for more information and status updates:

HB 2701 (High Risk, High Stress PERS Bill): Creates a new “high risk/high stress” category in PERS for employees of the Oregon State Hospital who have direct contact with patients; and 911 operators, allowing them to retire earlier with full benefits, as well as receive an increase in their final average salary 

HB 2804 (Workload Models): ODHS will develop and use workload models to better plan for and manage caseloads, and help the Legislature have important data to understand staffing and capacity needs. 

SB 692 (Anti-Discrimination and Harassment): Ensures that workplace allegations are resolved in a timely manner by the State of Oregon developing an information system to track cases and communicate results to those involved

HB 2008 (Family Financial Protection Act): Remedies the court process, which is currently heavily biased toward creditors, debt collectors, and debt buyers.

AROUND WASHINGTON COUNTY

The power of community coalescing to find solutions and make our cities work for everyone. Thank you to Robby and all of our community members who were involved in this impactful event.

"Our community cares about homelessness. Since October, an outpouring of generous donors and volunteers have reached out to support staff and guests at the Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue.

In January, around 150 community members attended our Listen & Learn event to better understand how homelessness impacts our neighbors.

And in February, the City Council once again made homelessness a top priority for the year ahead. For our residents, businesses, and neighbors living unsheltered, the City has made a commitment to collaborate in pursuit of proven solutions."

As community members, it is important for us to review our county's budget and understand how it will be allocated to provide quality services to residents. I am proud that our county has a transparent and accountable budget process, and I encourage all Washington County residents to learn more through the recorded town hall.

WashCo Board of Commissioners Town Hall

Last month, your Board of County Commissioners held a virtual Town Hall focused on the County's budget development process and financial chalenges the county is facing. Watch the video and learn more at wcor.us/budget https://www.youtube.com/live/dSeXLiJnjgw?feature=share

As a big fan of the Forest Grove Farmers Market and Adelante Mujeres, this is a great opportunity to get involved in a local community event and I encourage you to apply!

Apply to Sell at Farmers Market

Aplica aqui: https://www.adelantemujeres.org/become-a-vendor

SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES

I am proud of all the young students who participated in this politically engaging event. Our current Legislative Intern and my former Speech and Debate Student, Ishaan Sinha, is a leader in the Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council, and I've had the pleasure of speaking at a few of their meetings. 

Oregon Youth Summit - Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

BENEFITS AND SUPPORT

With tax day approaching, the AARP is offering free programs to assist in the filing process. It's an excellent, local resource to take advantage of.

Tax-Aide Program

Great financial assistance opportunity for our local nonprofits!

City of Hillsboro Community Impact Grant

Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for the City of Hillsboro’s Community Impact Grant with proposals for projects or programs to specifically promote Housing Stability within Hillsboro. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on March 31st, 2023. Learn more about this opportunity on the Community Impact Grant page: https://bit.ly/3K1GMHr

Families and communities need to be equipped with the tools to keep themselves and others safe in the event of an emergency. This is a necessary resource for every individual to familiarize themselves with.

10 Tips for Emergency Preparedness

For Forest Grove High School Seniors who are hearing back from colleges as graduation nears, this is an excellent opportunity to receive financial support for postsecondary endeavors. I encourage you to review the eligibility requirements and apply by the deadline.

Library Scholarship for Forest Grove High School Seniors

PUBLIC HEALTH

With COVID-19 emergency programs coming to an end, it's important to keep up with any changes in benefit status. 

Changes to Benefits

New COVID-19 update regarding Moderna vaccine.

Moderna Primary Series Discontinued Starting in April

WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES

OEM has put together this list of contacts to help speed up the process of replacing these documents:

• Green cards: Phone (800)-375-5283; Website: www.uscis.gov
• Medicare cards: Phone: (800)-772-1213; (TTY) (800)-325-0778 Website: www.medicare.gov
• Military records Phone: 866-272-6272 Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
• Passport Phone: 877-487-2778; (TTY) 888-874-7793 Website: travel.state.gov
• Social Security card Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778 Website: www.ssa.gov
• U.S. Savings Bonds Phone: 844-284-2676 Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
• U.S. tax returns Phone: 800-829-1040 Website: www.irs.gov
• Birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, divorce certificates Phone: 888-896-4988 Website: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Birthdeathcertificates
• Driver’s license, auto titles and registration, ID cards Phone: 503-945-5000 Website: www.oregon.gov/odot
• SNAP (Oregon Trail Card) Website: www.oregon.gov/DHS/Assistance/Food-Benefits
• State taxes (Oregon Dept. of Revenue) Phone: 503-378-4988 or 800-356-4222 TTY: All relay calls are accepted. Website: www.oregon.gov/dor
• Real estate and property - Contact your county government.
• Credit cards - Contact your credit card company directly.
• Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Phone: 877-322-8228 Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
• Insurance documents - Check with your insurance agent.
• Medical records - Call your doctor or your medical insurance company; medical and prescription records are tracked electronically.

The Governor’s office has put together a Wildfire Resources page that you can access from the Governor’s home page.  It has links to many of the most important updates about the status of fires and resources for evacuees.  This website will be updated regularly.  

Legal Resources: Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Program, Oregon lawyers, through the Oregon State Bar, are partnering with FEMA and the American Red Cross to provide legal assistance on FEMA claims, contract claims, insurance claims, landlord-tenant matters and more.

The Department of Forestry’s Wildfire Response and Recovery Overview has ongoing updates about firefighting efforts, damage reports, and more.  

FEMA Updates: FEMA has provided several different Fact Sheets and resources for accessing benefits, determining eligibility and avoiding scams.

• How to Appeal a FEMA Disaster Assistance Decision
• Oregonians Affected by Wildfires: Flood Risk and Insurance; Fraud Awareness
• FEMA Rental Assistance May Be A Valuable Housing Solution for Oregon Wildfire Survivors
• Citizenship and Immigration Status Requirements for FEMA Disaster Assistance
• What to Expect When Applying with FEMA
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available for Oregon Wildfire Survivors
• Look Out for Disaster Fraud, Scams
• Understanding a FEMA Determination Letter, How to Appeal
• FEMA Approves Direct Housing Mission
• Apply with FEMA Even if You Have Insurance

RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS

Mental Health Services:

• Washington County Crisis Line | 503-291-9111
• Crisis Text Line | Text “Connect” to 741741
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255
• Trevor Lifeline | 1-866-488-7386

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Employers and Employees

The following list of resources is from Oregon’s Secretary of State’s Office. The fastest way to get in touch with the SOS team is by emailing business.sos@oregon.gov, using the “Need Help?” button found on most state agency websites or visiting www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness.

• Unemployment options 
• Information about employer obligations and responsibilities from Oregon Labor and Industries
• Business Oregon's list of financial resources (including non-bank lenders) 
• Information about US Small Business Administration disaster assistance loans 
• The latest COVID-19/Coronavirus information on resources for workers and business owners  

Education Links

• Hillsboro School District (en inglés y español)
• Forest Grove School District (en inglés y español) 
• Oregon Department of Education
• COVID-19 Resources for Oregon Higher Education Partners

Local Government

• City of Hillsboro (en inglés, español y más idiomas) 
• City of Cornelius (en inglés, español y más idiomas)
• City of Forest Grove
• Washington County

Utilities Assistance

• Portland General Electric (en inglés y español) 
• NW Natural
• City of Hillsboro Utility Billing 
• Comcast 
• CenturyLink
• AT&T 

Food and Housing Assistance

• Community Action.org
• Oregon Food Bank
• Meals on Wheels

View from my office on a sunny day

Yours truly,

Representative Susan McLain
House District 29

email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-489, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain