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Committee hears testimony on HB 2670 to broaden traumatic brain injury definition for student services
Summary
House Education held a public hearing on House Bill 2670, which would modify the definition of traumatic brain injury to include injuries from internal and external sources and require the Department of Human Services to provide equivalent brain-injury-related services to qualifying children.
The House Education Committee on Feb. 5 held a public hearing on House Bill 2670, which would expand the legal definition of traumatic brain injury (TBI) for education eligibility to include injuries from both internal and external causes and require comparable brain-injury services for children qualifying for early intervention or special education.
Why it matters: Supporters said the change would correct a statutory gap and allow children with acquired brain injuries—caused by events such as stroke, infection, oxygen deprivation or surgical complications—to access special education and related services under a TBI eligibility rather than the other health impairment category, which they said can delay services.
Testimony and key points: Representative Emily McIntyre, who introduced the bill’s presentation to the committee, described the measure as a "statutory fix" prompted after a teacher in Eagle Point reported inconsistent application of the TBI recommendation by the Oregon Department of Education. Daniel Langston, an educator at Jackson County School District 9, said the district has encountered cases where internal (acquired) TBIs were treated as "other health impairment," creating additional paperwork and a 60-day delay before certain accommodations can begin. Theresa Langston (testimony recorded) explained that acquired brain injuries can result from infections, oxygen deprivation, prenatal exposure and other internal causes and argued that redefinition would expand access to services.
Representative Hudson asked whether the bill aligns with federal definitions under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Witnesses said they could provide documentation showing alignment and the record was left open for 48 hours to submit supporting materials.
Committee action: The hearing was opened and closed; no committee vote on passage was taken during the session.
What's next: The committee record remains open for 48 hours for additional written materials and research. If the bill advances, staff and committee members indicated they would review federal alignment documentation before a committee recommendation is made.
