[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6339664,"mediaKeyId","2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef","parentId",2260882,"title","Committee introduces two legislative concepts as committee measures by unanimous consent","audioSeconds",150,"startMs",50000,"endMs",200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef&start=50&end=200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef/thumbnail_50000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339664/Oregon/Committee-introduces-two-legislative-concepts-as-committee-measures-by-unanimous-consent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339664-90c6a6f3f8fce1aaf0c3994feb4aae38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153125&Signature=bZxnQXATHWwDE0L7u-Pj-p~Q9w-weqt3WH0FyZkB0PlxU8HAQFi5QC5FKP8Eu--B0PEAk8eP3CQ2NYIHmY5-Khn77pgJS2P7Nk8Fxt8r1wI4YWVTgC0~3VcWmjkZnbMHNbMLQp3JrlrwjSW0Bur15M29Kkg9A2AiTRIz~8tY1pcWmoHcvIsOLmP43jjgsp0DQkwGDJjQX0RempL2rXMQwZaXAu6xNsaMYhPfCM02uKudKVoVj1Sm1d3im-ZMbJowDN~ZUpNgJL1now-Z~VEQODSSNWQRaCG5IBz2y77QDgYrZW9Tn-8zmu~WWGXKWiwWGVNcNOS6rBEsmhsM-rOv5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon Legislature","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","During the Feb. 11 meeting the Senate Committee on Human Services opened a brief work session and introduced two legislative concepts as committee measures for the 2025 legislative session. Senator Nash moved to introduce LC4022 (dated 02/10/2025) and LC4289 (dated 02/06/2025). Chair Gelser Bluhin called for objections and, seeing none, ordered them introduced as committee measures by unanimous consent. The work session was then closed.

No further details about the legislative concepts were presented at that time; the chair later noted it was unclear whether the concepts would return as bills during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee On Human Services 02/11/2025 (AM)","oneSentenceSummary","At the start of the Feb. 11 session the Senate Committee on Human Services formally introduced two legislative concepts—LC4022 and LC4289—as committee measures by unanimous consent.","taxTitle","Human Services, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17924,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6339668,"Public guardian seeks authority to provide voluntary, less‑restrictive decision supports",433,3282000,3715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef&start=3282&end=3715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef/thumbnail_3282000.jpg","/articles/6339668/Oregon/Public-guardian-seeks-authority-to-provide-voluntary-lessrestrictive-decision-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339668-d0705f6598eb695edd2ee6cc7e2cd583/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153125&Signature=LbJ-Ho-JqDeIOEX4H88dlIdNamtWtHjGbMlqpB1C-fA8CyaQW6p9FswkyHkUYqj79BBXYzJLksBD0C4GMagYX7Ib62heKQoCAOOyYPQQromBYV7bOnZxEf7B0BWgLHARQFK4R1zy47Rt6dir0sWfMzKC5CS9XVBXk~6pA~dzifjpW60eU7GtAj8OycL7wP6kjU-oL5OQSlMSm0bxjykdhqVEDtheDqm9~4SNiYVi9RTC6YhMl07yVK1SeFukri77kmfZolrtUdcZhE9dEG-BX4z9RCJpJTUxicWHd6gfFspTFsDLmft8XT2uBtTxH6~AFi09Dh3bVQ9Q4wZmc6RL4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oregon Public Guardian and Conservator testified Feb. 11 in support of Senate Bill 794, which would expand the office’s authority to provide voluntary, less‑restrictive decision‑making supports to highly vulnerable adults who lack family or other options.

Chris Rosen, the Oregon Public Guardian and Conservator, told the committee that the office is currently statutorily limited to court‑appointed guardianship and conservatorship, which are the most restrictive options. “Guardianship is the most restrictive form of decision making support… It is an intensive and expensive process,” Rosen said, and added that SB 794 would allow the office to be “the provider of decision making supports of last resort” for people who would agree to voluntary help while keeping their rights.

Rosen described a recent case of a 72‑year‑old woman — described in testimony only as “Jackie” to protect privacy — who became unable to safely return to an uninhabitable trailer and lacked family or local supports. Rosen said the office assessed the case but could not accept it because Jackie did not meet the statutory definition of incapacitated, even though she needed help navigating Medicaid, housing and discharge planning. “If we had the options available in SB 794, we would have been able to help Jackie navigate the barriers that were preventing her Medicaid application, help her move to a care facility of her choosing, and help her get her life back,” Rosen said.

Senators asked whether the office currently has latitude to act; Rosen said the office can provide technical assistance but has no statutory authority to deliver the voluntary supports SB 794 proposes. Rosen and other witnesses said the bill would align with recommendations from a task force on hospital discharge challenges by creating alternatives that allow safe discharge without resorting to unnecessary guardianship.

Committee members discussed removing a supported decision‑making provision from the bill and pursuing that concept in a separate measure; Rosen said that amendment would resolve the main point of contention. The committee closed the public hearing with no vote taken.","The Oregon Public Guardian told the Senate Human Services Committee that Senate Bill 794 would let the office offer voluntary decision‑making supports as alternatives to guardianship and help people without family or resources navigate hospital discharge and benefit access.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6339673,"Bill would allow DHS to disqualify or revoke providers who repeatedly fail IDD service standards",483,2324000,2807000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef&start=2324&end=2807","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef/thumbnail_2324000.jpg","/articles/6339673/Oregon/Bill-would-allow-DHS-to-disqualify-or-revoke-providers-who-repeatedly-fail-IDD-service-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339673-74ae3231db01965bc341919ff22b15e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153125&Signature=NwPcKzFwAXlBOSuj1sWTdmDKc2EsJfwsqcNDCRLckTHuq1uJboH~y8hRe6Z4zpQ3H7CLUkaTc0CQdWMe5dSk~AFReuzmGIHzBW3J4QyjvW746oBRkIHxg0MYezh0fymBDM8VbmolAKVmDEnioU~6~MPuYXdNipvXsv5DOFzP0sy32ogzid3uIWmxt8Y~XqGfdNAse--8jUoxtM7Xs737kaK~X-SXpEMxiLgYEW~SeJSbLWFMqczYkxWnp3tNdodpXJp-Jj3ykcLco8VZOaTmp6PMEBKagSSs9BUno3sPcGVk~OUQYDzQSe0Jy8wqFXso2dgiKya61Xhivcfi9p3Q9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 136 was heard Feb. 11 in the Oregon Senate Committee on Human Services. The measure would permit the Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Disability Services (ODDS) to deem a provider “unqualified” under specified criteria and take enforcement actions up to revocation of certificates, endorsements or licenses.

Dana Hittle, interim director of ODDS, told the committee the bill “introduces the term unqualified to describe a provider who meets certain criteria” and directs the department to adopt Oregon Administrative Rules specifying when and for how long a provider may be deemed unqualified. Hittle said the bill does not expand ODDS’s regulatory authority but makes enforcement criteria more prescriptive and sets timelines for licensing action.

Hittle explained the existing enforcement tools ODDS uses — conditions on certificates or endorsements, civil penalties, and site licensing — and said ODDS can already revoke certification under current administrative rules. “Conditions may include limiting new enrollments… or restricting the types of services that the agency can deliver,” Hittle said. She confirmed the department had lifted certain conditions on a certificate after those conditions were met; that action was separate from any ongoing criminal charges related to the provider.

Provider and labor groups testified in support. Amanda Dalton of the Oregon Resource Association said revocation authority is necessary to ensure safety and quality and prevent operators who “fail to meet standards” from continuing to serve vulnerable people. Courtney Graham of SEIU Local 503 said stronger enforcement tools are needed to maintain public trust in Medicaid‑funded services and to stop fraud or waste.

Committee discussion focused on how to define the scope and duration of exclusion, the relationship between individual misconduct and agency status, and whether the statute should use the term “disqualified” instead of “unqualified.” Sponsors and staff noted the bill clarifies that sanctions can apply to agencies when owners, board members or employees engage in disqualifying conduct and that rules will spell out specific timelines and appeal rights for providers.

The committee closed the public hearing. No vote was taken at the hearing.","Senate Bill 136 would give the Department of Human Services clearer criteria and timelines to revoke certificates, endorsements or licenses for providers deemed unqualified, expanding the agency’s prescriptive enforcement tools for community‑based IDD services.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6339676,"Committee hears bill to bar denying mental health services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities",782,1511000,2293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef&start=1511&end=2293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef/thumbnail_1511000.jpg","/articles/6339676/Oregon/Committee-hears-bill-to-bar-denying-mental-health-services-to-people-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339676-aa605881650cea444348dad00ec8dcb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153125&Signature=fJ7LLiWmNclPzPppRb~e4kViouIoiLLxhvyT0J1vVkozsMYiR-8JG-iQEwXgvo68i3dhyG1xH64zVjFd47eKy51QM7k41mFI8r7r3je~11WrHzPXY9i6PkM2KFDFnGTocbpa6aQrNRHecOwR1204YcFaZGrblMzQfBLM220b-g5laXxPeBuNz80dq8Vc0400ziAg52rDCdvay3RTJYTQGcUqkJRrc9DVXIeRYjjSVSoHa67tyIHZUH3vaZu5RYDx6IcM06qV-l8vnVbkNlJE3bcPvAWbq0YATJfSdyH9rTsmG~hATwaycPaFVpe~VfLSSO6zmIRRTWfY4bQBuQTMEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 729 was the subject of a public hearing Feb. 11 before the Oregon Senate Committee on Human Services. The measure would expand an existing prohibition and clarify that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) of any age cannot be denied access to mental health services.

Matt (presenter) told the committee the bill “expands a prohibition against denying access to mental health services to individuals who are up to age 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities to include all public bodies and individuals of all ages.” Jasper Smith, who testified for Benton County Developmental Diversity Program, urged support and said federal protections have not ended the practice. “There is nothing that needs to be done to prepare for this legislation. We should already be doing it,” Smith said, adding that clinicians sometimes wrongly assume people with IDD cannot benefit from treatment.

Several committee members questioned enforcement and the added value of state law when federal nondiscrimination statutes exist. Senator Pruzanski asked what would be gained by a state law; Jasper Smith replied the state law would provide a specific reference people could point to when they experience discrimination and could support legal challenges.

Ruth Geisinger, a person with lived experience, told the committee she had been turned away from emergency treatment and had trouble accessing a psychiatrist after a provider change. “I went to emergency room, and they told me that I need some help with my mental illness. And they turned around and decided we can't help you because our hands are tied,” she testified.

Katie Rose, executive director of Oregon Community Brokerages, spoke for provider brokerages that coordinate care for thousands of adults with IDD. She said some clinicians mistakenly believe they need special qualifications to treat people with IDD and asked that practitioners be given the chance to provide services. “By making it clear that there's an imperative to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are seeking mental health services, Senate Bill 729 opens the door for learning and discovery for both the patients and the practitioners,” Rose said.

Sponsor remarks during the hearing noted that passage of the bill alone will not ensure compliance and that education and enforcement by the Oregon Health Authority would be necessary to change practices. The committee closed the public hearing; no vote was taken at the hearing.","Senate Bill 729, presented in the Human Services Committee, would expand a current prohibition and clarify that public bodies and providers cannot deny mental health services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities of any age; advocates urged passage and asked for state enforcement and education.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6339683,"Oregon committee hears plan for statewide Center for Decision‑Making Supports",1385,112000,1497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef&start=112&end=1497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260882-34a407a2f44eccbcacd6483d001fd8ef/thumbnail_112000.jpg","/articles/6339683/Oregon/Oregon-committee-hears-plan-for-statewide-Center-for-DecisionMaking-Supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339683-ecb55f971ae4e947bea76031cd63164c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153125&Signature=ZGdQooPN0Q4vRdSUEFZVrmiAPUZLJg1qob8rO9tbbPfn86s5aIXW1gm9eC90wTcXDDYJqzftsw0vW3HHHJ20tUwfsxSWSkxCzh96jOBgrIR2z~R4ON5k8uujyYr3rYN6ZHA5a4iDlgD8MpG5OWonJn3NSCOFAQatfRfK1XHXUPSL~Ap2b15t86LKz7fsHJnNfBbMRpz6F9VLqvkyCyCiD9kUvELMWoghmjoNtnrzMLXgNlNELGu4G8mxJrOCZV1v8qBUoYv3In11a4ae8o3YxXURIzVR~WldQaxfohWSAfkcoFQsvCNQXQtQVItfPYNEyLvF7l7KTZqlmcZBya9kVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oregon Senate Committee on Human Services held an informational hearing Feb. 11 on a proposal to create a Center for Decision‑Making Supports to help adults with disabilities and older adults access less‑restrictive alternatives to guardianship.

Supporters told the committee the center would act as a one‑stop resource to explain tools such as power of attorney, supported decision making, conservatorship alternatives and referrals to attorneys, legal aid and community services. “When people have that choice and support to make those decisions then they have control and autonomy over their lives,” said Matt Sears, Public Policy Director with the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Proponents said families and individuals currently encounter a confusing landscape when they seek help, particularly at transitions such as turning 18 or following a new diagnosis. Leslie Sutton, the Residential Facility Ombudsman, said the center would provide technical assistance, outreach to culturally specific communities and promote cross‑agency collaboration among the Department of Human Services offices, the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Judicial Department and community partners. “It will be a good vehicle for bringing together different agencies and community partners,” Sutton said.

Self‑advocate Felicity Woods described how decision‑making can take days or weeks to process and said access to supports gave her peace of mind. “...it would give a lot of individuals a peace of mind in their life to have a guardian or a 1 on 1 provider to help an help out with decisions,” Woods said.

Matt Droscher, director of the Umpqua Valley Disabilities Network, said centers for independent living would likely partner with the proposed center and provide education to help people move out of unnecessary guardianships. He urged that the center be a permanent, statewide resource. “We run into a number of individuals walking in our door confused, frustrated, not able to navigate the system as well as they could,” Droscher said.

Presenters emphasized the center would not provide court representation or act as attorneys, nor would it directly intervene in active guardianship or conservatorship cases. Instead the proposal envisions housing the center within the Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman to provide programmatic stability and ties to existing ombudsman programs. The presenters said similar pilots have been run elsewhere, and an advisory board would be part of the governance structure.

Committee members asked procedural questions and were told the committee expects to see legislative language returned as a bill. “We had hoped to have the actual concepts back…we will be hearing more when the measure comes back,” the chair said before closing the information hearing.

Supporters provided lists of community partners they had consulted, including Disability Rights Oregon, the Human Services Coalition of Oregon, Centers for Independent Living and the Systems of Care Advisory Council. The proposal’s next step is return of the legislative concept as a committee measure for formal consideration.","Advocates and state ombuds officials outlined a proposal to create a centralized, non‑legal resource that would help Oregonians and families navigate alternatives to guardianship and access decision‑making supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee introduces two legislative concepts as committee measures by unanimous consent

Public guardian seeks authority to provide voluntary, less‑restrictive decision supports

Bill would allow DHS to disqualify or revoke providers who repeatedly fail IDD service standards

Committee hears bill to bar denying mental health services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Oregon committee hears plan for statewide Center for Decision‑Making Supports