Bill > HB2203

This bill aims to improve the safety of behavioral health workers by establishing comprehensive safety requirements for employers in various mental health and substance use disorder treatment settings. The legislation defines behavioral health employers as including residential treatment facilities, detoxification centers, emergency shelters, and other similar facilities. It mandates that these employers develop and implement written safety plans tailored to their specific work environments, which must include provisions for lone workers (staff working without direct supervision), plans for reporting and addressing structural security hazards, and details about required safety trainings. The bill requires employers to conduct risk assessments of their work environments and provides grants to help cover the costs of these assessments and potential structural safety enhancements. Employers must provide safety training to workers within 90 days of hiring, covering topics such as potential workplace risks, de-escalation techniques, and reporting procedures for safety violations. Additionally, the bill strengthens worker protections by ensuring employees can be reinstated with back pay if they are unlawfully discharged for reporting safety concerns. The Oregon Health Authority and other state agencies are directed to study various aspects of worker safety, collaborate on developing guidance and training resources, and submit reports to the legislature. The bill declares an emergency and is set to take effect immediately upon passage, with most provisions becoming operative on January 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB2203