This year’s short legislative session was remarkably successful, as the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC)’s health and human services priorities largely aligned with those of legislators on both sides of the aisle. The following policy and funding bills, effective upon the governor’s signature, will better equip counties to address the state’s dual homelessness and substance abuse crises.
HB 4092 addresses AOC’s top health and human services policy priority, and requires a mandatory cost study to be conducted every five years for services that our community mental health programs are statutorily mandated to provide. The study is aimed to capture the true cost of the service delivery array, correcting for inflation-based increases as well as unfunded mandates. The first study is due in December 2024 and because of the short timeframe, will be limited to court-mandated services. A full study will be conducted in 2025.
HB 4092 also mandates and funds a workgroup to recommend measures to reduce the administrative burden on community mental health programs and their local contracted providers. The report is due at the end of the year. A survey of local providers estimates that 40% to 60% of every clinician’s day is spent on administrative work rather than direct care. Any reduction in this burden will immediately increase Oregon’s public behavioral health services capacity.
HB 4002 (Measure 110 reform policy bill) establishes local jail-based and mobile medication for opioid use disorder programs through grants from the Criminal Justice Commission. The bill requires at least 10% of total grant awards to be awarded to facilities in rural areas.
HB 5204 (omnibus funding bill for Measure 110 reform and related programs) provides:
- Gap funding for specialty courts, aid and assist community restoration services, and jail diversion
- Start-up funding for county deflection (pre-arrest diversion) programs
- Start-up funding for the medication for opioid use disorder program
- Behavioral health workforce development funding at Oregon universities to attract and support students acquiring degrees and certifications
HB 4001 establishes an interim task force that will recommend specialty court system improvements and sustainability measures for consideration in the 2025 session. There are two seats on the task force for county government.
Contributed by: Legislative Affairs Manager Jessica Pratt