Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hb3835 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Deschutes County supports drafting letter on HB 3835 to route abuse investigations to law enforcement
Summary
County staff requested approval to sign a letter backing HB 3835, which would change procedures for restraint and involuntary seclusion of young people; commissioners expressed support for sending the letter and for law-enforcement-led investigations of alleged abuse in residential settings.
During the May 23 legislative update, Deschutes County staff sought and received informal support from commissioners to send a departmental letter on House Bill 3835, a community justice bill that would modify rules governing restraint and involuntary seclusion of certain young people.
Jen, a county staff member who presented the bill summary, said HB 3835 "modifies provisions regarding the use of restraint and involuntary seclusion on certain young people." DV, who asked for authorization to send a draft letter, said the county's primary point of interest is ensuring that allegations of abuse in county detention and residential settings are investigated by law enforcement rather than by the Department of Human Services. "We want law enforcement investigation, not DHS investigation," DV said.
Steve, a county staffer, voiced support for that position: "Having DHS do those investigations would make 0 sense, and I fully support that proposal," he said.
The nut graf: county staff asked the commission to allow the county to add its name to a broader letter backing the bill and clarifying the county's preferred investigative pathway. Commissioners expressed support during the meeting, though no formal roll-call vote was recorded on the record.
Action and next steps: DV requested permission to send the draft letter; commissioners indicated support. The county attorney or appropriate staff will finalize and transmit the departmental letter to legislative staff and the bill sponsor as planned.
Ending: The letter aligns with prior county priorities on youth-in-care oversight; staff said it was not a top-ranked county priority but agreed to proceed at Senator Broadman's request.
