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OregonSB 15352026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to child care; and prescribing an effective date.

Sponsored By: Dick Anderson (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Easier child care help and lower copays

A child can qualify based on income, work or job search, school or training, protective‑services involvement, or homelessness, teen parent, or domestic violence services. Eligibility does not depend on citizenship or immigration status. Once approved, coverage continues at least 12 months unless your family leaves Oregon or you ask to stop. Your copay is on a sliding scale and cannot be more than 7% of your household income. Care must allow needed disability and neurodiversity supports and cover time for work, school, commuting, and study. Rules can prioritize families on TANF and can count caregiver availability even when not physically present. The law takes effect on the 91st day after the 2026 session ends.

Steadier pay and safety checks for providers

The state pays providers each month based on enrollment, not daily attendance. If the state pays after the set date, it adds 9% to the amount due unless an allowed exception applies. Providers can receive subsidy payments only if everyone who runs, lives in, or may be alone with children at the site is in the Central Background Registry.

Incentives for quality and specialized child care

Families who choose a site in the state quality system may get a family incentive. Providers in the quality system can also get extra payments. Rules allow higher rates for specialized care, such as nights and weekends, infant or toddler care, disability supports, culturally or linguistically specific care, and services for underserved groups.

Rules to expand and stabilize child care

The Early Learning Council sets the rules for child care subsidies. Rules must support fair access to a diverse supply, including culturally and linguistically specific care and different facility types. The council must consider policies that keep children in a family’s preferred program. When federal funds pay for care, federal rules apply, and the council aligns eligibility and market access with federal guidance.

Study to cut provider insurance costs

The Department of Early Learning and Care convenes a work group to study child care liability insurance costs and availability. Members include providers, insurers, and state experts and should reflect Oregon’s diversity. The group must report options to lower costs, including ideas like liability immunity or damage caps, by November 1, 2027. This authority ends January 2, 2029.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dick Anderson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • David Brock Smith

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 125 • No: 1

House vote • 3/4/2026

Third reading. Carried by Ruiz. Passed.

Yes: 52 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/27/2026

Third reading. Carried by Anderson. Passed.

Yes: 24 • No: 1

legislature vote • 2/25/2026

Ways and Means: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 44 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Early Childhood and Behavioral Health: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date, June 5, 2026.

    4/6/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 82, 2026 Laws.

    4/6/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/31/2026Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    3/5/2026House

  5. President signed.

    3/5/2026Senate

  6. Third reading. Carried by Ruiz. Passed.

    3/4/2026House

  7. Rules suspended. Carried over to March 4, 2026 Calendar.

    3/3/2026House

  8. Second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  9. Recommendation: Do pass.

    2/27/2026House

  10. Referred to Ways and Means.

    2/27/2026House

  11. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    2/27/2026House

  12. Third reading. Carried by Anderson. Passed.

    2/27/2026Senate

  13. Second reading.

    2/26/2026Senate

  14. Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.

    2/26/2026Senate

  15. Work Session held.

    2/25/2026Senate

  16. Returned to Full Committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

  17. Work Session held.

    2/24/2026Senate

  18. Assigned to Subcommittee On Education.

    2/19/2026Senate

  19. Referred to Ways and Means by order of the President.

    2/16/2026Senate

  20. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means. (Printed A-Eng.)

    2/16/2026Senate

  21. Public Hearing and Work Session held.

    2/12/2026Senate

  22. Public Hearing held.

    2/10/2026Senate

  23. Referred to Early Childhood and Behavioral Health.

    2/2/2026Senate

  24. Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    3/4/2026

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    2/16/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Amendments to Introduced

    2/16/2026

    PDF

  • SECBH Amendment -2 (Adopted)

    2/12/2026

    PDF

  • SECBH Amendment -1 (Proposed)

    2/10/2026

    PDF

  • SECBH Amendment -2 (Proposed)

    2/10/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/28/2026

    PDF

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