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Committee discusses ICWA fixes, out-of-state placements in SB 15-32; carryover set for Feb. 12

Senate Committee on Human Services · February 10, 2026

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Summary

At a work session on SB 15-32 (ODHS omnibus), negotiators reported a dash-4 amendment clarifying which out-of-state placements and tribal-approved institutions are in scope and agreed ODHS will notify OJD within 10 days (or sooner in emergencies) when a child is moved out of state; the committee carried the work session to Feb. 12 for fiscal language and final fixes.

The Senate Committee on Human Services held a work session on Senate Bill 15-32 on Feb. 10 to address omnibus changes to ODHS rules and to resolve specific issues related to Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) placements and out-of-state placements.

Shannon Newell of the Oregon Judicial Department told the committee negotiators — including ODHS, the governor's office, youth-rights attorneys and tribal representatives — reached a compromise reflected in the dash-4 amendment. The amendment narrows the scope of out-of-state placements covered by the bill to institutions that are suitable to meet an Indian child's needs and are approved by an Indian tribe or operated by an Indian organization. The negotiated language also requires ODHS to notify the Oregon Judicial Department within 10 days of moving a child out of state, or sooner if the move is immediate for safety reasons.

Committee members discussed a specific family case in North Carolina that highlighted barriers created by differing state licensing interpretations. Chair Gelser Blue said the bill's language will be used to remove barriers that have delayed a child's reunification with grandparents out of state and that the committee is working to ensure those procedural barriers are fixed quickly. Committee members asked for section references and the chair pointed to section 12 (dash-4) and section 28 in the dash-8 amendment as places where related replacement- and ICWA-language appears.

Because fiscal details and some technical language were still pending, the committee carried SB 15-32 to Thursday, Feb. 12 for further action.