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
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
18 provisions identified: 17 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Dedicated funding for mental health and addiction
Oregon creates a Mental Health and Substance Use Account with money that is always available. Funds are split each year: 40% to counties by population (up to 10% for sobering centers), 40% to OHA for county matching (up to 10% for sobering center matching), and 20% to OHA for services for adults in custody, on parole, and on probation, with plan approval before spending. Each month, 50% of certain liquor tax revenues moves into this account.
24/7 988 crisis hotline and stabilization care
The state runs a 24/7 9‑8‑8 hotline for calls, texts, and chats. The hotline links people to local mobile crisis teams and follow‑up help. The Oregon Health Authority sets strong rules for crisis stabilization centers and staff. 9‑8‑8 tax dollars first fund the call center and hotline; extra tax funds can expand mobile crisis teams. When you get crisis stabilization care after a 9‑8‑8 contact, the right payer—OHA, your CCO, or your insurer—must cover it.
Easier opioid care in pregnancy; detox standards
Pregnant people with opioid use disorder can start medication treatment with informed consent. They do not have to try withdrawal management first. OHA sets minimum standards for withdrawal‑management programs that contract with the state.
Equal pay for telehealth in Medicaid
Oregon Medicaid pays the same for a covered service whether it is in person or by telemedicine. Audio‑only, video, asynchronous tools and remote monitoring qualify when allowed. These costs are built into capitation rates, and CCOs must follow the same rules.
Medicaid mental health parity and oversight
If you are on Oregon Medicaid or CHIP, your plan must cover mental health and substance use care like medical care. CCOs must file annual parity reports and show their review rules for behavioral health match medical care. OHA runs yearly external quality reviews and a yearly parity report to lawmakers. Reviewers must use a standard document list, get records from OHA first, and avoid duplicate requests. CCOs do not have to report on services outside the state’s prioritized list.
More child and teen behavioral health care
The state can build facilities and offer full mental health services for children. OHA may fund regional centers that provide intensive residential and outpatient treatment for teens with substance use disorders. OHA sets minimum beds and visit slots by rule based on local need.
More community mental health services and reports
The state works with counties and tribes to provide a full set of community mental health and substance use services, when funds are available. Programs must offer outpatient care, 24/7 crisis help, residential options, and age‑appropriate services, and report restraint and seclusion use each quarter. When money is tight, people at immediate risk or unable to get private care are served first. Local programs keep fees and insurance payments to spend on approved services and do not lose state funding because of them. OHA can also partner with the federal government to deliver substance use services.
OHA runs child psychiatric treatment
The Oregon Health Authority is responsible for psychiatric residential and day treatment services for children with mental health or substance use needs. This centralizes oversight for families seeking care. Families can turn to OHA for these services.
Stronger mental health coverage and fair pay
Insurers must use the same method and updates to set pay for behavioral health providers as for medical care, including equal out‑of‑network terms. A provider is eligible for payment if approved or certified by OHA, accredited for the care level, meets inpatient standards (overnight stay and at least eight hours a day, five days a week), or delivers a covered benefit. Beginning January 1, 2027, the amended insurance statutes for these rules are operative.
Stronger mental health coverage in private plans
Health plans must cover behavioral health at the same level as other medical care. If no in‑network provider is available in time, plans must cover an out‑of‑network provider at in‑network rates when the provider accepts that pay. Emergency care, including behavioral crises, is covered without prior approval. Plans must give clear information and cannot deny coverage because you called 9‑1‑1.
More behavioral health worker roles recognized
The law updates behavioral health roles and terms. More licensed professions qualify as behavioral health clinicians, and team roles like peers and family supports are clearly defined. This helps clinics staff care teams and expand access.
Quality guardrails and 50% match funding
OHA funds up to 50% of approved project costs for prevention and treatment, with monthly grant payments. Applicants may count federal funds, fees, and contributions toward their share, and local programs must keep at least last year’s local contribution unless OHA grants a hardship waiver. Money cannot be used for services below OHA minimum standards, and contracts must allow ending funding if standards are not met. The law does not allow these sections to be used to cut General Fund support for local substance use services.
Simpler provider checks and local planning
OHA creates a shared on‑site assessment tool and a credentialing documents database for provider organizations. The agency trains plan staff to use it and can rely on other assessments that meet rules. The OHA Director leads statewide substance use planning, sets priorities, and seeks funds. Local mental health authorities must adopt and submit plans that tie into health plans and address housing, transport, discharge, peer and justice supports. Crisis providers may share needed information under OHA rules, and SUD‑certified staff may do clinical social work within their certification but cannot use the LCSW title.
Court‑ordered SUD care and responder shield
After a conviction, courts may order an evaluation for alcohol or substance use by OHA‑approved evaluators. If the court finds a disorder and the person is sentenced to prison, the court must direct placement in an OHA‑standard treatment program, when resources allow. Police, mobile crisis team members, judges, and treatment or sobering facility staff are shielded from civil and criminal liability for covered actions if they act in good faith, on probable cause, and without malice.
Updated terms, repeals, and start date
The law updates definitions for substance use, and clarifies that treatment facilities include withdrawal management and sites that meet OHA standards. It repeals ORS 430.315, 430.368, 430.565, and 430.634. The Act takes effect on the 91st day after the 2026 regular session adjourns.
Counties plan and fund addiction services grants
Every county sets up a local committee to plan substance use services. The committee helps providers write grant proposals and gives recommendations OHA must consider. Grant proposals need clear goals and must identify minority groups to be served. Providers paid from the account must report service data to the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission.
More support for minority SUD programs
Applicants seeking priority funding must specify how many minority people they will serve, describe each group’s needs, and show separate budgets for those services. OHA identifies, reviews, and funds the minority program parts first within available funds, then funds remaining parts based on local needs. This targets help to minority communities with clear plans and accountability.
New OHA provider certification and fees
OHA creates a certification path for mental health programs that are not already licensed or under contract. OHA may charge application and certification fees to run this system. Fees go to the OHA fund and only support certification work.
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
Enrolled
3/4/2026
B-Engrossed
2/27/2026
Senate Amendments to A-Engrossed
2/27/2026
SECBH Amendment -A11 (Adopted)
2/26/2026
SECBH Amendment -A10 (Proposed)
2/24/2026
A-Engrossed
2/16/2026
House Amendments to Introduced
2/16/2026
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
Introduced
1/28/2026
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