Bill
Bill > SB142
summary
Introduced
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
In Committee
04/07/2025
04/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/27/2025
06/27/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Legislative Measures
Bill Summary
The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards. Digest: The Act tells the HECC to give money to people in behavioral health care training programs. The Act also tells OHA to give grants to entities to help find and keep behavioral health care providers. The Act tells OHA and the ORH to give grants to people who are be- havioral health care providers. The Act also tells OHA and the HECC to give a report to the legislature every year. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.3). Digest: The Act tells OHA to study some programs and report on the study. The Act also tells HECC to study a program and report on the study. (Flesch Readability Score: 77.1). Requires the Oregon Health Authority to study the progress of and investment opportunities in specified programs. Directs the authority to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care not later than September 15, 2026. Requires the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to study the progress of and investment opportunities in a specified grant program and opportunities to expand the grant program. Directs the commission to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care not later than September 15, 2026. Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to award scholarships to certain individuals enrolled in behavioral health care programs of study. Directs the commission to award grants to eligible entities to address barriers to education and training program de- velopment and expansion. Requires an eligible entity that receives a grant to report to the commission. Directs the Oregon Health Authority to award grants to eligible entities to foster recruitment and retention of behavioral health care providers. Requires an eligible entity that receives a grant to report to the authority. Allows the authority and the Office of Rural Health to enter into an intergovernmental agreement to enable the office to award loan forgiveness grants and loan repayment grants to certain behavioral health care providers. Directs the authority and the commission to review the scholarship and grant programs and not later than June 30 of each year submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the behavioral health workforce. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.
AI Summary
This bill aims to address the behavioral health workforce shortage in Oregon by establishing several new programs and funding mechanisms. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission will create a scholarship program for individuals from priority populations to pursue behavioral health care training, with scholarships covering tuition and other educational costs. The commission will also establish a grant program for eligible entities like universities, community colleges, and community-based organizations to develop and expand behavioral health education and training programs, including hiring faculty, developing curricula, and providing workforce development services. The Oregon Health Authority will create a grant program to help behavioral health care providers with recruitment and retention, offering incentives such as loan forgiveness, housing assistance, professional development, child care subsidies, and clinical supervision. Additionally, the Oregon Health Authority and the Office of Rural Health may collaborate to provide loan forgiveness and loan repayment grants to critical workforce shortage behavioral health care providers. The bill requires annual reviews and reporting on these programs, including tracking participant outcomes, completion rates, and employment statistics. To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates over $48 million from the General Fund, with funds distributed to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and the Oregon Health Authority. The bill declares an emergency and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, highlighting the urgent need to address behavioral health workforce challenges in the state.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Last Action
In committee upon adjournment. (on 06/27/2025)
Official Document
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