Bill would bar public bodies from denying mental‑health care to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities

The House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services opened a public hearing April 29 on Senate Bill 729, a measure that would expand an existing prohibition on denying mental‑health services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to all public bodies and to all ages.

Supporters say SB 729 would close a gap that leaves many adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) unable to get mental‑health care. "Intellectual disability is a natural part of the human experience," said state senator Sarah Gelster Bluhin, the sponsor, recounting years of constituent reports and a personal family crisis to illustrate how people with IDD can be denied care. "You can't just say we won't treat you because you have an intellectual or developmental disability." The bill would extend the current prohibition — which applies to the Oregon Health Authority,…