SOCAC omnibus bill amended and sent to Rules for more stakeholder work

Lawmakers on the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services on April 3 amended and then sent House Bill 38,35 — a System of Care (SOCAC) omnibus measure — to the Rules Committee without recommendation, citing the bill’s complexity and the need for additional stakeholder conversation.

The committee adopted two separate amendments. The dash‑1 amendment changed definitions and procedures on restraint and seclusion in school and care settings, required court approval and in‑person inspections for out‑of‑state placements by DHS, and removed sections of the original bill that would have changed minors’ medical decision‑making. The dash‑2 amendment removed provisions that would have created the Oregon Institute for Youth Health Systems at Oregon Health & Science University.

Committee leaders and members said the topic is high‑stakes and wide‑ranging — child abuse, foster care and behavioral‑health placement — and deserves more time for stakeholders to weigh in. Representative Noss said she supported sending the bill to Rules to allow additional stakeholder input; Representative Wolters described the state’s gaps in behavioral‑health access for children and urged continued work.

Representative Ruiz moved that the committee adopt the amendments and forward the bill to Rules without recommendation. The committee agreed and the measure will continue through the legislative process in Rules, where sponsors and advocates expect more negotiation and refinement.

Why it matters: The bill addresses restraint, seclusion and out‑of‑state placement oversight and touches foster‑care and behavioral‑health systems; changes could affect placements and rights of children across Oregon. Committee leaders emphasized they are sending the bill to Rules to continue stakeholder engagement rather than to halt progress.

The committee closed the work session on the bill and will continue policy development in Rules.