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OregonSB 15472026 Regular SessionSenate

Relating to licensed behavioral health and wellness practitioners; and prescribing an effective date.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

New practitioners cannot provide conversion therapy

Beginning January 1, 2027, licensed behavioral health and wellness practitioners cannot provide conversion therapy to anyone under 18. Counseling supporting gender transition, acceptance or neutral exploration is not included in the ban. Licensing boards can discipline professionals who violate the ban.

License protection for out-of-state care

The Oregon Board of Psychology cannot deny, suspend or revoke a license solely because of specified convictions or license sanctions. This protection covers sanctions for providing reproductive or gender-affirming care that was lawful in Oregon but unlawful where provided. The care must meet the applicable standard of care.

Privacy protections for practitioner clients

The law includes licensed behavioral health and wellness practitioners under Oregon's specified health-information laws. Beginning January 1, 2027, practitioners generally cannot be questioned in civil or criminal court about client communications made to get professional help outside an investigation. Exceptions apply when the client or legally responsible person consents, or the client brings legal action against the board or practitioner. Exceptions also cover communications revealing intent to commit a crime or harmful act, or possible crime, abuse or neglect against a minor.

Animal-abuse law includes new practitioners

The law adds licensed behavioral health and wellness practitioners to the officials covered by a specified animal-abuse law. They fall under that law's provisions for those officials. The provision does not specify additional duties or penalties.

Protected titles help patients check credentials

Beginning January 1, 2027, only licensed people can use the behavioral health and wellness practitioner title or similar titles or initials. The Oregon Board of Psychology can ask a circuit court to stop unlawful use of this title or “licensed psychologist.” The court must find unlawful use, but the board does not need to show individual harm. Court orders are available in addition to criminal prosecution and punishment.

Medical-assistance laws recognize new practitioners

The law adds licensed behavioral health and wellness practitioners to the definition of “behavioral health clinician” in specified medical-assistance laws. This brings them within rules using that definition. The provision does not specify new patient eligibility, covered benefits or payment amounts.

New practitioner licenses with care limits

Beginning January 1, 2027, Oregon licenses behavioral health and wellness practitioners for prevention, health promotion and brief interventions. Applicants need a qualifying bachelor's degree or higher, an approved program with at least 700 supervised practice hours, board-required training and exams, good character, and an application fee. Practice requires direct supervision by a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Practitioners cannot practice psychology or medicine, diagnose or independently treat disorders, perform specified individual intelligence, achievement or neuropsychological tests, or evaluate drug effects. Licenses expired more than two years require a new application; shorter lapses allow relicensure without repeating the specified education and exam requirements.

Practitioners face reporting rules and penalties

Beginning January 1, 2027, the board can deny, suspend or revoke practitioner licenses, impose probation, or reprimand practitioners for listed violations. Grounds include impairment, specified crimes, fraud, misconduct, practice beyond legal limits, and violations of law or board rules. Civil penalties are capped at $2,500, or $5,000 when a listed aggravating factor applies. The board can restore a license after the mental health impairment that caused its suspension or revocation ends. Practitioners must report reasonably suspected prohibited conduct by another board's licensee, unless state or federal privacy law bars disclosure. The board can use its continuously appropriated account for this oversight; no additional funding amount is specified.

Employers pay required clinical supervision costs

Beginning January 1, 2027, covered public and private employers must pay specified costs of clinical supervision required for licensure. The rule covers employers of mental health providers who supervise associates, interns or others completing required clinical experience. When the supervisor is a licensed behavioral health and wellness practitioner, employers pay both the supervisor's and supervised person's costs. The law states no dollar amount or cap.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 92 • No: 4

House vote • 2/25/2026

Third reading. Carried by Isadore. Passed.

Yes: 52 • No: 2

House vote • 2/19/2026

Behavioral Health: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

Third reading. Carried by Reynolds. Passed.

Yes: 27 • No: 2

Senate vote • 2/5/2026

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

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date, June 5, 2026.

    3/17/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 26, 2026 Laws.

    3/17/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/5/2026Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    2/27/2026House

  5. President signed.

    2/27/2026Senate

  6. Third reading. Carried by Isadore. Passed.

    2/25/2026House

  7. Second reading.

    2/24/2026House

  8. Recommendation: Do pass.

    2/20/2026House

  9. Public Hearing and Work Session held.

    2/19/2026House

  10. Public Hearing cancelled.

    2/17/2026House

  11. Referred to Behavioral Health.

    2/11/2026House

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

    2/11/2026House

  13. Third reading. Carried by Reynolds. Passed.

    2/11/2026Senate

  14. Second reading.

    2/10/2026Senate

  15. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)

    2/9/2026Senate

  16. Public Hearing and Work Session held.

    2/5/2026Senate

  17. Referred to Early Childhood and Behavioral Health.

    2/2/2026Senate

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

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SECBH Amendment -1 (Adopted)

    2/5/2026

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Senate Amendments to Introduced

    PDF

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