OregonSB 15752026 Regular SessionSenate

Relating to hospice licensure; and declaring an emergency.

Sponsored By: Deb Patterson (Democratic), James Manning Jr. (Democratic), Sara Gelser Blouin (Democratic), Tom Andersen (Democratic), Travis Nelson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Temporary limits on new Oregon hospices

The Oregon Health Authority cannot issue new initial hospice licenses until it completes the required rulemaking. Exceptions cover licensed hospices adding service areas or changing ownership. State-licensed health care providers, long-term care facilities, and residential care facilities can qualify when serving their patients or residents. Applicants serving underserved areas or populations also qualify for an exception. The temporary restriction is repealed January 2, 2029.

Cost-based license fees for Oregon hospices

Hospices must hold an Oregon license before starting, operating, or presenting themselves to the public as a hospice program. Initial and renewal applicants pay fees set by state rule, capped at the cost of running the licensing system. Fees can vary by annual patient count or revenue and can include criminal-record-check costs. Licenses last one year and cannot be transferred. Oregon must issue licenses to applicants that meet licensing requirements and pay the fee; renewal also requires meeting state renewal rules.

Stronger checks on Oregon hospice applicants

Initial hospice applicants must report past license sanctions, health care fraud or abuse cases and settlements, and health program exclusions. Required history includes specified related businesses managed by proposed leaders or partly owned by applicant owners holding at least 5%; individual practitioners are excluded. Applicants must report tax status and show that their proposed administrator and medical director meet state training and qualification standards. Oregon checks both leaders’ criminal records and, for privately owned applicants, each individual owner holding at least 5%. Oregon can deny applications based on the severity, frequency, or timing of past problems, or other reasons set by rule. Anyone excluded from Medicare or Medicaid, or found liable for health care fraud or abuse in any jurisdiction, cannot own any share.

Stronger oversight of Oregon hospice care

For initial licenses or renewals, Oregon can request other states’ performance records, including licensing survey results. Requests can cover the hospice, owners holding at least 5%, and proposed or current administrators and medical directors. Applicants already operating a hospice in any state must submit the previous year’s consumer assessment survey results to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, unless that agency grants an exemption. Oregon can deny initial or renewal applications, or suspend or revoke licenses, for knowingly false licensing, performance-history, or survey information. State rules must require an in-person inspection of each licensed hospice at least once every three years. For renewals, Oregon can accept qualifying federal certification or state-approved accreditation meeting federal standards, but hospices must invite Oregon to exit interviews and provide requested records.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Annessa Hartman
Democratic • House
Ben Bowman
Democratic • House
Bobby Levy
Republican • House
Chris Gorsek
Democratic • Senate
Courtney Neron Misslin
Democratic • Senate
Dacia Grayber
Democratic • House
David Gomberg
Democratic • House
Farrah Chaichi
Democratic • House
Floyd Prozanski
Democratic • Senate
Hai Pham
Democratic • House
Jeff Golden
Democratic • Senate
Jules Walters
Democratic • House
Kathleen Taylor
Democratic • Senate
Kayse Jama
Democratic • Senate
Lamar Wise
Democratic • House
Lesly Muñoz
Democratic • House
Lew Frederick
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Fragala
Democratic • House
Lisa Reynolds
Democratic • Senate
Mark Gamba
Democratic • House
Mark Meek
Democratic • Senate
Nancy Nathanson
Democratic • House
Rob Nosse
Democratic • House
Sarah McDonald
Democratic • House
Suzanne Weber
Republican • Senate
Thuy Tran
Democratic • House
Willy Chotzen
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 80 • No: 12

House vote • 3/4/2026

Third reading. Carried by Andersen. Passed.

Yes: 52 • No: 1

House vote • 3/3/2026

Rules: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 6 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Third reading. Carried by Patterson. Passed.

Yes: 19 • No: 8

Senate vote • 2/16/2026

Health Care: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 3 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

Effective date, April 7, 2026.
4/14/2026Senate
Chapter 133, 2026 Laws.
4/14/2026Senate
Governor signed.
4/7/2026Senate
Speaker signed.
3/5/2026House
President signed.
3/5/2026Senate
Third reading. Carried by Andersen. Passed.
3/4/2026House
Second reading.
3/3/2026House
Recommendation: Do pass.
3/3/2026House
Work Session held.
3/3/2026House
Public Hearing held.
3/2/2026House
Referred to Rules.
2/24/2026House
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
2/24/2026House
Third reading. Carried by Patterson. Passed.
2/24/2026Senate
Carried over to 02-24 by unanimous consent.
2/23/2026Senate
Second reading.
2/20/2026Senate
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)
2/19/2026Senate
Work Session held.
2/16/2026Senate
Public Hearing held.
2/4/2026Senate
Referred to Health Care.
2/2/2026Senate
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

SHC Amendment -3 (Proposed)
2/16/2026
PDF
SHC Amendment -4 (Adopted)
2/16/2026
PDF
SHC Amendment -2 (Proposed)
2/11/2026
PDF
A-Engrossed
PDF
Enrolled
PDF
Introduced
PDF
Senate Amendments to Introduced
PDF

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