Benton County backs other counties in pushing state over Oregon State Hospital admissions order

Benton County commissioners voted May 16 to instruct staff to draft a letter supporting Marion and Washington counties’ effort to respond to a federal court order that has limited admissions and shortened treatment at the Oregon State Hospital.

Damien Sams, the county’s behavioral health representative, described how the Sept. 1, 2022 order has produced “a firm timeline” that can return people to counties sooner than clinicians consider appropriate, shifting clinical and safety burdens to local jails, emergency departments and community providers. “We are seeing individuals who…would in the past have remained at the state level until they were ready to return to our community,” Sams said, explaining why counties are seeking intergovernmental remedies and policy changes.

Sheriff Jeff Van Auerstall and jail commander John Devaney described operational pressure on the jail. Devaney said the jail was “not built for being a mental‑health institution,” and that rapid returns to county custody create challenges for care and custody. Commissioners said the change raises county liability and court processing problems for criminal cases and civil commitments.

Commissioner (name recorded in the transcript as) Unidentified Commissioner 3 moved that the board accept Marion County’s April 11, 2023 memorandum requesting support and direct staff to prepare a letter of support; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

The board’s direction was limited to a letter of support for the multi‑county effort; commissioners and staff said further policy, liability and legislative work may be needed at the state level to change contract language and funding arrangements that govern county‑state responsibility for care.

Next steps: staff will draft the letter for the board and coordinate with the Association of Counties and the parties named in the Marion County memorandum.