Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Volunteer Registry Emergency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Subcommittee advances expansion of Oregon emergency volunteer registry despite screening concerns
Summary
Senate Bill 837 would broaden the state emergency volunteer registry to include nonclinical support staff and grant legal protections; the LFO said OHA can implement the changes with existing staff, but several members objected to new screening requirements for nonlicensed volunteers.
Senate Bill 837, which expands Oregon''s emergency volunteer registry to include support and administrative personnel and authorizes the Oregon Health Authority to set additional volunteer requirements, was recommended by the Legislative Fiscal Office and moved to the Ways and Means full committee on May 28.
LFO staff told the subcommittee SB 837 would allow the registry to include nonclinical personnel who can assist with medical and nonmedical operations, permit OHA to establish public health training or health screenings for registrants, and authorize interstate agreements so registrants can assist outside Oregon. LFO said the updates can be managed with existing OHA staff and that the fiscal impact would be minimal.
Several committee members registered opposition to the measure. Senator Hayden said she supported adding nonlicensed workers to the registry but objected to requiring physical and emotional health screenings and immunization status for those volunteers, noting that licensed health providers historically were not asked to undergo the same screenings. Hayden said she would support the bill only if the additional screening requirements were complaint‑driven and that she saw no clear reason for imposing them broadly.
Representative Deal and Representative Scharf also recorded objections. The work session minutes show the objections were noted and carriers were assigned to move the bill to the Senate and House floors.
LFO characterized legal protections in the bill for registrants, including recognition under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and agent‑of‑the‑state status when performing duties during a declared emergency or public health crisis. The bill also allows OHA to enter into agreements with other states to facilitate cross‑jurisdictional deployment.
