Bill would let juvenile‑justice and Youth Authority staff petition courts to compel testing after exposure

Senate Bill 813 would allow an employee of the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) or a county juvenile department to petition a court for an order requiring a youth who is the source of a significant exposure to submit to testing for communicable disease.

Debbie Martin, legislative coordinator for the Oregon Youth Authority, described SB 813 as a “simple technical fix” to restore parity after a prior statutory change inadvertently excluded OYA and county juvenile department staff from the provision that currently allows law enforcement, EMS and firefighters to petition for testing.

Tory Lynn, director of the Linn County Juvenile Department, testified that juvenile‑detention and probation staff can be exposed to bodily fluids during caregiving, injuries, searches or restraints and that prompt testing can be critical for timely medical follow-up. Lynn said the statute requires a medical provider to indicate “significant exposure” as part of a petition and that courts would have the authority to order testing; if a youth still refused to comply, the court could consider contempt or other legal remedies.

Committee members asked about the meaning of “compel” and whether the statute would permit forced medical procedures. Witnesses emphasized the proposed change does not authorize staff to force medical procedures; it provides a legal avenue to obtain a court order when a youth refuses voluntary testing. The committee closed the public hearing on SB 813; no vote was taken.