Senate committee introduces measure changing caregiver definition in juvenile dependency cases

The Oregon Senate Committee on Human Services on Jan. 30 voted without objection to introduce LC 3805, a committee concept that would modify the definition of a caregiver relationship in juvenile dependency proceedings and change the procedure for individuals asserting that relationship to file a motion for intervention.

The measure, introduced by committee member Senator Linthicum, was presented briefly by staff as “LC 3805, which modifies the definition of a caregiver relationship for the purposes of a juvenile dependency proceeding and also modifies the procedure for individuals asserting a caregiver relationship to file a motion for intervention.” The introduction motion was moved by Senator Linthicum and carried after the chair asked if there was any objection and none was stated.

The proposal was introduced as a committee bill dated Jan. 22, 2025. The committee closed the work session on introduction of committee measures and opened a public hearing on unrelated bills.

Because the committee only acted to introduce the concept today and no hearing or debate on the substance occurred during this session, the measure’s content beyond the summary presented by staff was not discussed in detail in the transcript. Any statutory references or operational details in the final bill would need to be confirmed when the bill text is released or when the committee holds a substantive hearing.