Bill > SB1113

This bill relates to the welfare of young people, specifically focusing on improving regulations and protections for children in care. The bill proposes comprehensive changes to laws governing the use of restraints and seclusion, child abuse investigations, licensing of child-caring agencies, and out-of-state placements of children. Key provisions include: (1) Narrowing the circumstances under which restraints and involuntary seclusion can be used on children, emphasizing that these measures should only be employed as an absolute last resort when there is an imminent risk of serious bodily injury; (2) Enhancing reporting and documentation requirements for incidents involving restraints or seclusion, including mandatory debriefings and notifications to case managers, attorneys, and guardians; (3) Strengthening licensing and oversight of child-caring agencies by implementing more rigorous compliance standards, requiring more detailed investigations of abuse allegations, and establishing clearer criteria for suspending or revoking licenses; (4) Adding new definitions and protections for children in care, including expanded descriptions of what constitutes abuse and more specific guidelines for out-of-state placements; and (5) Requiring more detailed quarterly reporting on the use of restraints, including disaggregated data by race. The bill aims to improve the safety, transparency, and accountability of systems caring for vulnerable children by prioritizing their physical and emotional well-being and limiting potentially harmful interventions.

Education

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB1113