Committee hears testimony on bill to guarantee family councils in memory care facilities

The House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services held a public hearing May 6 on Senate Bill 228A, which supporters said would guarantee the right of families and legal representatives to form independent family councils in memory care facilities across Oregon.

Senator James Ivory Manning Jr., who sponsored the concept, told the committee he brought the bill after a constituent in his district reported injuries and poor responsiveness from a residential care facility. "He complained to the management and no one did anything about it," Manning said, adding that the bill is intended to give families more collective leverage to improve care.

Family members who founded an independent council at the Rollin memory care facility in Springfield described management cooperation that later ended after a leadership change. Jewel Nelson, co‑founder of the Rollin Independent Family Council, said the council allowed families to invite guest experts, plan agendas and pursue…