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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Senate Bill 142
Printed pursuant to Senate Interim Rule 213.28 by order of the President of the Senate in conformance with pre-
session filing rules, indicating neither advocacy nor opposition on the part of the President (at the request
of Governor Tina Kotek for Office of the Governor)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure as introduced.The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: The Act tells OHA to study some programs and report on the study. The Act also tells
HECC to study a program and report on the study. (Flesch Readability Score: 77.1).
Requires the Oregon Health Authority to study the progress of and investment opportunities in
specified programs. Directs the authority to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legis-
lative Assembly related to health care not later than September 15, 2026.
Requires the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to study the progress of and invest-
ment opportunities in a specified grant program and opportunities to expand the grant program.
Directs the commission to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly
related to health care not later than September 15, 2026.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to behavioral health workforce.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. (1) The Oregon Health Authority shall study the progress of and investment
opportunities in the following:
(a) The social worker licensing exam fee voucher and licensing fee waiver program;
(b) The bonus and housing stipend grant program;
(c) The behavioral health workforce initiative loan repayment program;
(d) The tuition assistance and graduate stipend program;
(e) The mental health and addiction counselor board agreement;
(f) The clinical supervision grant program established under ORS 675.658;
(g) The peer delivered services workforce capacity grant established in compliance with
ORS 675.655 (2)(a);
(h) The culturally specific and culturally responsive behavioral health services programs
described in ORS 430.274;
(i) The next steps for the work group described in section 1, chapter 493, Oregon Laws
2023; and
(j) Opportunities within the authority to build sustained staffing support for the behav-
ioral health workforce team.
(2) The authority shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, and may
include recommendations for legislation, to the interim committees of the Legislative As-
sembly related to health care no later than September 15, 2026.
SECTION 2. (1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall study the progress
of and investment opportunities in the grant program established under ORS 660.350, and
opportunities for expansion into the following behavioral health specialties:
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 560 SB142
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(a) Certified addiction counselors;
(b) Qualified mental health associates; and
(c) Peer support specialists and other behavioral health occupations that serve individ-
uals enrolled in the medical assistance program and uninsured individuals who utilize com-
munity mental health programs, federally qualified health centers and local public health
authorities for mental health purposes.
(2) The commission shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, and
may include recommendations for legislation, to the interim committees of the Legislative
Assembly related to health care no later than September 15, 2026.
SECTION 3. Sections 1 and 2 of this 2025 Act are repealed on January 2, 2027.
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