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County backs amended behavioral health funding bill but raises concerns about deflection‑funding changes
Summary
Washington County staff said they support Senate Bill 610 (amended Behavioral Health Resource Network language) but raised concerns about HB 3069 and related proposals that would change how deflection and treatment funding is allocated and could shift funds to competitive awards.
Washington County government relations staff briefed commissioners on several bills addressing substance use disorder services, funding formulas and deflection programs.
Staff said Senate Bill 610 — which has been substantially amended — moves administration of Behavioral Health Resource Network funding and grant appeals to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) with the Oversight and Accountability Council retained as an advisory body. Staff described that as an improvement over the prior draft and said Washington County supports SB 610 because it creates a clearer, agency‑led process and may improve transparency in formula setting and grant allocation.
On deflection funding, staff described HB 3069 as an omnibus vehicle that would place the deflection funding formula under the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC). Washington County supports local control of formulas but raised concerns about amendments that would shift 75% of available funds into a competitive grant process and create incentives tied to projected participant counts rather than sustained engagement. “...we’re concerned that this incentive may prioritize quantity of participants over quality of engagement,” Pablo Nevis Valenzuela, a government relations manager, said in the presentation.
Staff said they are working with the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) and the CJC to press for amendments that preserve long‑term engagement and local innovation. SB 236 was noted as a related technical bill that would clarify use of J‑MOD funds (jail‑based medication for opioid use disorder) and to allow certain uses in community correction centers; staff expected that bill to be scheduled for a work session once stakeholders finalize language on medication dispensing and pharmacist roles.
No formal board votes were recorded on these bills during the meeting. Staff said hearings or work sessions were expected soon and that they would continue to advocate for amendments to protect the county’s deflection programs and funding stability.
