All Roll Calls
Yes: 133 • No: 1
OregonHB 40702026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Relating to health care; and prescribing an effective date.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Equal behavioral health access for Medicaid
Oregon and its coordinated care organizations must make mental health and substance use treatment access comparable to medical care. They cannot apply stricter coverage limits to behavioral health treatment than to medical and surgical services.
Physical health checks at crisis centers
Oregon Health Authority rules must ensure crisis stabilization centers can check for physical health needs and provide needed care. The rules must also require transfers when a center cannot provide the level of care a person needs.
State support for children's treatment programs
Oregon can establish facilities and provide statewide mental health and substance use prevention and treatment services for children. The Oregon Health Authority can also fund regional substance use treatment centers for teens. State-funded centers must meet minimum inpatient-bed and outpatient-slot requirements set by rule. Service areas depend on need, available treatment, and community support. Funding must follow Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission budget priorities; the law sets no funding amount or guaranteed service level.
Support for specialized homes and treatment
Oregon health and human services agencies can contract for specialized statewide and regional services within available funds. These include group homes for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, or substance use disorders. They also include day or residential treatment for children and teens with these conditions. The law does not guarantee a service placement.
Treatment placement for imprisoned defendants
The law updates alcohol and substance use disorder terms used in court evaluations and sentencing findings. When a court finds either disorder and sentences a defendant to prison, it must direct corrections officials to arrange treatment placement. Placement is required only to the extent resources are available. Treatment programs must meet Oregon Health Authority standards.
Fewer duplicate requests in Medicaid reviews
During external quality reviews, Oregon and its reviewers cannot request unchanged information submitted within the preceding 12 months. This protection covers information submitted by coordinated care organizations or their subcontractors. Agency-created documents or templates cannot alone justify negative findings or penalties. An exception applies when an organization enters information that materially departs from the compliance standard.
Priorities and safeguards for community funding
The Oregon Health Authority must follow stated priorities when allocating community mental health funds. These include model projects testing new evidence-based services and new ways to deliver care. The law also bars using the specified statutes to justify General Fund cuts to local substance use services. That safeguard covers prevention, early intervention, and treatment, but does not guarantee a funding level. Neither provision sets a funding amount.
State help for tribal community programs
Oregon must help tribal and county governments develop community mental health and developmental disability programs. This work includes outreach to every federally recognized tribe in Oregon. When one of Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes starts a community mental health program, the state must help establish and finance it. Tribal programs receive help in the same manner as other community mental health programs. State assistance depends on funds made available by the Legislature; no amount is set.
Stronger standards for local care plans
Local mental health plans must use age-appropriate, research-based quality measures, proven approaches, and coordination across community services. Local authorities must submit plans and updates on the Oregon Health Authority's schedule. State planning guidelines and incentives must address both mental health and substance use needs, appropriate care levels, and care transitions. They also cover older adult programs, adult job placements, and local sharing of savings from state hospitalization.
Updated treatment terms and clinician qualifications
Oregon replaces older alcohol and drug dependence terms with alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder definitions. Detoxification centers and halfway houses are defined around substance use disorders; treatment facilities can provide withdrawal care and treatment. Qualifying clinicians include interns, associates, and residents working under board-approved supervisory contracts in a clinical mental health field. Other state-credentialed clinicians qualify when their authorized work includes mental health diagnosis and treatment. Certified clinical social work associates are no longer listed separately.
More covered providers, Oregon location limits
Beginning January 1, 2027, group and non-grandfathered individual health plans must recognize another type of reimbursable behavioral health provider. These organizations need Oregon Health Authority certification and cannot otherwise be subject to its licensing or certification requirements. They also cannot contract with the authority, its subcontractors, or community mental health programs. The coverage statute defines facilities as located in Oregon and outpatient services as providing treatment in Oregon. These location rules limit the reach of these coverage requirements.
Narrower immunity for crisis response workers
Specified police officers, crisis team members, health practitioners, judges, and treatment or sobering facility personnel retain certain liability protections. Covered actions must be taken in good faith, with probable cause and without malice. The law removes actions under ORS 430.315 from this criminal and civil liability immunity.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/4/2026
House concurred in Senate amendments and repassed bill.
Yes: 53 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Third reading. Carried by Anderson. Passed.
Yes: 26 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Early Childhood and Behavioral Health: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
Third reading. Carried by Nosse. Passed.
Yes: 41 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
Behavioral Health: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter 44, (2026 Laws): Effective date June 5, 2026.
4/6/2026HouseGovernor signed.
3/31/2026HousePresident signed.
3/6/2026SenateSpeaker signed.
3/5/2026HouseHouse concurred in Senate amendments and repassed bill.
3/4/2026HouseThird reading. Carried by Anderson. Passed.
3/3/2026SenateSecond reading.
3/2/2026SenateRecommendation: Do pass with amendments to the A-Eng. bill. (Printed B-Eng.)
2/27/2026SenatePublic Hearing and Work Session held.
2/26/2026SenatePublic Hearing held.
2/24/2026SenateReferred to Early Childhood and Behavioral Health.
2/19/2026SenateFirst reading. Referred to President's desk.
2/19/2026SenateThird reading. Carried by Nosse. Passed.
2/18/2026HouseSecond reading.
2/17/2026HouseRecommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.
2/16/2026HouseWork Session held.
2/12/2026HousePublic Hearing held.
2/5/2026HouseReferred to Behavioral Health.
2/2/2026HouseFirst reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
2/2/2026House
Bill Text
SECBH Amendment -A11 (Adopted)
2/26/2026
SECBH Amendment -A10 (Proposed)
2/24/2026
HBH Amendment -4 (Proposed)
2/12/2026
HBH Amendment -5 (Proposed)
2/12/2026
HBH Amendment -6 (Proposed)
2/12/2026
HBH Amendment -7 (Proposed)
2/12/2026
HBH Amendment -9 (Adopted)
2/12/2026
HBH Amendment -6 (Proposed)
2/10/2026
HBH Amendment -7 (Proposed)
2/10/2026
HBH Amendment -1 (Proposed)
2/5/2026
HBH Amendment -2 (Proposed)
2/5/2026
HBH Amendment -4 (Proposed)
2/5/2026
HBH Amendment -5 (Proposed)
2/5/2026
A-Engrossed
B-Engrossed
Enrolled
House Amendments to Introduced
Introduced
Senate Amendments to A-Engrossed
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