Oregon hearing on HB 3835 splits advocates over restraints, seclusion and out-of-state placements

The House Committee on Rules held a public hearing May 12 on House Bill 3835, an omnibus measure that would change how Oregon defines and investigates the use of restraint and seclusion on children in care and create a process for certain out‑of‑state placements. The committee heard more than three hours of testimony from state leaders, clinicians, providers, parents and disability advocates; committee staff said more than 40 people had signed up to testify and written testimony will be accepted through Wednesday at 8 a.m.

Supporters said the bill is a targeted response to a statewide shortage of capacity for children with acute behavioral health needs. "We are in a continuous crisis in Oregon's children behavioral health system," said Ajit Jetmalani, a child psychiatrist and OHSU professor, citing state data that screenings of child‑caring agencies peaked at about 1,750 in 2024 while founded abuse allegations remained in the low twenties. Advocates for providers, including Jamie Vandergahn, CEO of Trillium Family Services, told the committee that staff and programs face career‑ending investigations for technical or documentation errors…