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Committee reopens SB 1570; sponsors working on dash‑2 amendment on immigration access to health facilities
Summary
The committee heard renewed testimony on SB 1570, which seeks to direct OHA to study protections in health facilities and — per a posted dash‑1 — would have restricted federal immigration authorities’ access to nonpublic areas; sponsors reported continued talks with hospitals, FQHCs and OPCA about a dash‑2 amendment.
Senate Bill 1570 returned to the Senate Committee on Health Care Feb. 9 for continued public testimony and discussion of proposed amendments. Staff explained that a posted '-1' amendment would have replaced the measure with a provision prohibiting federal immigration authorities from entering nonpublic areas of health care facilities except by law or court order and would require facilities to adopt policies, designate administrators, post summaries of individual rights, and treat immigration or citizenship information as protected health information.
Mr. Deets (committee staff) summarized the dash‑1 proposal: it would direct health facilities to designate nonpublic areas, require an administrator and written response policies if federal immigration authorities arrive, and authorize the Oregon Health Authority to revoke a facility license for noncompliance. "It requires a healthcare provider within a facility to treat any information received about citizenship or immigration status as protected health information," he said.
Courtney Dresser of the Oregon Medical Association supported the core goals but urged careful drafting so liability protections do not unintentionally increase risk for clinicians, particularly in emergency departments. Committee members raised questions about how penalties would affect federally funded entities such as federally qualified health centers and whether legal fee exposure would be borne by entities that receive federal funds.
The sponsor reported ongoing stakeholder engagement — including the hospital association, FQHC representatives and OPCA — and said the office is working toward a dash‑2 amendment to address concerns. Committee members emphasized avoiding unintended consequences and noted they were not taking a work session on the measure that day. No formal committee action was taken; the public hearing was closed.
