OregonHB 41152026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to health care providers; and prescribing an effective date.

Sponsored By: Anna Scharf (Republican), Hai Pham (Democratic), Nancy Nathanson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Faster credentialing and pay for behavioral health providers

A coordinated care organization cannot make a credentialed behavioral health provider reapply just because the provider changed employers. When the provider works for an agency that contracts with the CCO, the CCO must pay for services back to the date the provider sent in the enrollment application that led to a provider ID. The Oregon Health Authority must tell providers how to update contact or employer information and when a new background check is required, and post this on its website.

Public funds bar some convicted care workers

Public funds cannot pay people with certain criminal convictions to work in jobs that have contact with recipients or residents in care settings. For some listed offenses, the ban applies if the conviction was within five years when the recipient is age 65 or older. A conviction for delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance within the past 10 years also disqualifies. Mental health or substance abuse treatment providers with specified sexual or violent convictions also cannot be employed with public dollars in roles that contact recipients or residents.

Three-year, portable background checks for care workers

DHS or the Oregon Health Authority runs criminal checks for employees of residential facilities and adult foster homes, anyone paid with public funds who has contact with recipients, and home care or personal support workers registering with the Home Care Commission. A check from these agencies lasts three years. A new check can happen sooner after a new conviction or substantiated abuse, a job-duty change, a federal rule, or if the agency finds waiting is too burdensome. If you already have a valid check, the agencies cannot require a new one just because you change employers or care settings, and they must post portability steps online. Home health and in‑home care agencies must do a check before hiring, contracting, or accepting volunteers with direct contact, and they may not hire someone with a disqualifying conviction for direct-contact roles. The new rules apply to checks completed on or after the law’s effective date. Within 90 days after the law takes effect, DHS and the Oregon Health Authority must tell employers that the recheck cycle is now three years.

Clear fitness rules and appeals for care providers

DHS and the Oregon Health Authority must set rules for deciding if a direct care provider is fit to work. The rules must name types of substantiated abuse that make someone unfit and any conditions for reinstatement. If you are found unfit, you can challenge the fitness decision in a contested case hearing. You cannot challenge the underlying criminal conviction or substantiated abuse finding.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Cyrus Javadi
Democratic • House
Darin Harbick
Republican • House
Jules Walters
Democratic • House
Lamar Wise
Democratic • House
Mark Gamba
Democratic • House
Sara Gelser Blouin
Democratic • Senate
Sue Rieke Smith
Democratic • House
Tom Andersen
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 118 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Third reading. Carried by Gelser Blouin. Passed.

Yes: 22 • No: 8

House vote • 2/27/2026

Third reading. Carried by Nathanson. Passed.

Yes: 42 • No: 0

legislature vote • 2/25/2026

Ways and Means: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 46 • No: 0

House vote • 2/12/2026

Behavioral Health: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Chapter 59, (2026 Laws): Effective date June 5, 2026.
4/6/2026House
Governor signed.
3/31/2026House
President signed.
3/6/2026Senate
Speaker signed.
3/5/2026House
Third reading. Carried by Gelser Blouin. Passed.
3/4/2026Senate
Second reading.
3/3/2026Senate
Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.
3/3/2026Senate
Referred to Ways and Means.
3/2/2026Senate
First reading. Referred to President's desk.
3/2/2026Senate
Third reading. Carried by Nathanson. Passed.
2/27/2026House
Second reading.
2/26/2026House
Recommendation: Do pass.
2/25/2026House
Work Session held.
2/25/2026House
Returned to Full Committee.
2/23/2026House
Work Session held.
2/23/2026House
Assigned to Subcommittee On Human Services.
2/19/2026House
Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.
2/16/2026House
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.
2/16/2026House
Work Session held.
2/12/2026House
Public Hearing held.
2/3/2026House
Referred to Behavioral Health with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.
2/2/2026House
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
2/2/2026House

Bill Text

Enrolled
3/4/2026
PDF
A-Engrossed
2/16/2026
PDF
House Amendments to Introduced
2/16/2026
PDF
HBH Amendment -3 (Adopted)
2/12/2026
PDF
HBH Amendment -1 (Proposed)
2/10/2026
PDF
HBH Amendment -2 (Proposed)
2/10/2026
PDF
HBH Amendment -1 (Proposed)
2/3/2026
PDF
Introduced
1/28/2026
PDF

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