Oregon Senate approves bill requiring schools to implement short-term plans for students with brain injuries

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Senate on Tuesday passed House Bill 3007, a measure that directs public education providers to start temporary accommodations for students diagnosed with a brain injury within 10 school days of written notification and to review those accommodations at least every two months.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Naron Mislan, told the Senate the legislation "requires the Oregon Department of Education to develop a procedure and sample form to guide public education providers in creating an immediate and temporary accommodations plan known as ITAP." He said the measure is the product of an 18-month, Oregon Health Authority–led collaboration among agency experts, educators, medical professionals and brain-injury survivors.

Sen. Mislan said the bill fills gaps in earlier law and builds on previous work, noting that "this legislation builds upon the foundation laid by our return to learn bill House Bill 4141 of just 3 bills that passed in our 2020 session" and that early, tailored school supports improve recovery.

Supporters emphasized the medical and educational consequences of untreated or poorly managed concussions and other brain injuries. Sen. Laurie Reynolds, a pediatrician, said the bill gives "the time and space to keep the weight off their brain as we would a broken leg while their brain heals," adding it provides districts with resources to help students recover academically and physically. Sen. Patterson recalled a family experience and said brain injuries often require "individualized and structured support to avoid prolonged or even permanent cognitive disabilities." Several other senators, including Sen. Meek, described clinical concussion symptoms to underline the need for school accommodations.

The bill requires schools to initiate the ITAP process upon written notification from a parent or guardian that a student has been diagnosed with a brain injury and accommodations are requested. It directs schools to assess whether physical-activity restrictions (for example, on physical education, recess or unstructured play) are needed to reduce reinjury risk, to identify academic, behavioral and social-emotional accommodations, and to communicate those accommodations to relevant staff members.

Advocates in the gallery included representatives from the Center for Brain Injury and Research; Sen. Mislan thanked the center and its coordinator, saying their expertise informed the bill. The bill also tasks the Oregon Department of Education with rulemaking to clarify district implementation details.

On final passage the Senate recorded a constitutional majority and the clerk announced the bill "having received the constitutional majority is declared passed." The roll call recorded 30 ayes.