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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Senate Bill 837
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 Oregon Health Authority)
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 changes the health care volunteer registry known as SERV-OR. The Act allows
more types of people to join and allows for the use of volunteers outside of a declared emergency.
(Flesch Readability Score: 63.6).
Modifies laws governing the emergency health care provider registry to allow a broader range
of volunteer services and allow deployment of volunteers outside of declared emergencies.
Requires the Oregon Health Authority to provide workers’ compensation coverage for volun-
teers who provide services in other states pursuant to certain interstate agreements.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to a volunteer registry; amending ORS 401.651, 401.654, 401.655, 401.657, 401.658, 401.661,
401.664, 401.667, 431A.015 and 656.047.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. ORS 401.651 is amended to read:
401.651. As used in ORS 401.651 to 401.670:
(1) “Health care facility” means a health care facility as defined in ORS 442.015 that has been
licensed under ORS chapter 441.
(2) “Health care provider” means[:]
[(a)] an individual licensed, certified or otherwise authorized or permitted by the laws of this
state or another state to administer health care services in the ordinary course of business or
practice of a profession[; and]
[(b) A person entered in the emergency health care provider registry under ORS 401.658].
(3)(a) “Health care worker” means an individual who is not a health care provider but
who works directly with patients or health care providers to prevent, diagnose, treat or
manage diseases or illnesses.
(b) “Health care worker” includes, without limitation, allied health professionals, psy-
chiatric and home health aides, occupational therapy and physical therapist assistants and
aides, dental, medical, nursing and veterinary assistants, phlebotomists, medical
transcriptionists, medical equipment preparers and medical interpreters.
[(3)] (4) “Health professional regulatory board” means a health professional regulatory board,
as defined in ORS 676.160, the Long Term Care Administrators Board, the Board of Licensed
Dietitians and the Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board.
(5) “Other health care personnel” means an individual who is not a health care provider
or health care worker, and who works to enable the provision of health care or public health
services, including medical or nonmedical operations support, management or adminis-
tration.
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.
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SECTION 2. ORS 401.654 is amended to read:
401.654. (1) The Oregon Health Authority may establish [an emergency health care provider] a
volunteer registry that includes [emergency] health care providers, health care workers and other
health care personnel who are available to provide health care, public health and supportive
services [during an emergency or crisis] on a voluntary basis. As a condition of inclusion in the
registry, the authority may require:
(a) Training related to the provision of health care, public health or other services [in an
emergency or crisis] as a condition of registration; [and]
(b) Criminal background checks for applicants and persons who have been registered[.]; and
(c) Screenings of physical health, emotional health or immunization status in order to
collect information about baseline status, support assignment to appropriate duties and
support interpretation of possible post-deployment adverse effects.
(2) The authority [shall] may issue identification cards to [health care providers] individuals
entered in the [emergency health care provider] registry established under this section that:
(a) Identify the [health care provider] individual;
(b) Indicate that the [health care provider] individual is registered [as an Oregon emergency
health care provider] in the registry established under this section;
(c) Identify [the] any license or certification held by the [health care provider] individual, or
previously held by the [health care provider] individual if the [health care provider] individual is
entered in the [emergency health care provider] registry [under] pursuant to ORS 401.658; and
(d) Identify the [health care provider’s] individual’s usual area of practice, and the types of
[health care] services that the [health care provider] individual is authorized to provide, if that in-
formation is available and the authority determines that it is appropriate to provide that informa-
tion.
(3) The authority by rule [shall] may establish a form for identification cards issued under sub-
section (2) of this section.
(4) The authority shall support and provide assistance to the Oregon Department of Emergency
Management in emergencies or crises involving the public health or requiring emergency medical
response.
(5) The authority may enter into agreements with other states to facilitate the registry of out-
of-state health care providers, health care workers or other health care personnel in the [emer-
gency health care provider] registry established under this section.
SECTION 3. ORS 401.655 is amended to read:
401.655. [During a state of emergency declared under ORS 401.165 or a state of public health
emergencydeclaredunder ORS 433.441] Subject to the direction of the Oregon Health
Authority, a health care provider who is licensed, certified or otherwise authorized or permitted
by the laws of another state to administer health care services and who is registered under ORS
401.654 may administer health care services in this state as if the health care provider were licensed
in this state.
SECTION 4. ORS 401.657 is amended to read:
401.657. (1) The Oregon Health Authority may designate all or part of a health care facility or
other location as [an emergency health care center] a temporary public health center. [If the Gov-
ernor declares a state of emergency under ORS 401.165, or declares a state of public health emergency
under ORS 433.441, emergency health care centers]At the direction of the Oregon Health Au-
thority, temporary public health centers may be used for:
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(a) Evaluation and referral of individuals affected by [the] a crisis or emergency;
(b) Provision of health care services; and
(c) Preparation of patients for transportation.
(2) The Oregon Health Authority may enter into cooperative agreements with a local public
health authority, as defined in ORS 431.003, that allow the local public health authority to designate
[emergency health care centers] temporary public health centers under this section.
(3) [An emergency health care center] A temporary public health center designated under this
section must have [an emergency] a volunteer operations plan and a credentialing plan that governs
the use of [emergency health care providers] individuals registered under ORS 401.654 and [other]
health care providers who volunteer to perform health care services at the center under ORS
401.651 to 401.670. The [emergency] volunteer operations plan and credentialing plan must comply
with rules governing those plans adopted by the Oregon Health Authority.
SECTION 5. ORS 401.658 is amended to read:
401.658. (1) The Oregon Health Authority may include in the [emergency health care provider]
registry established under ORS 401.654 a person who was previously licensed, certified or otherwise
authorized to provide health care services in Oregon by a health professional regulatory board if:
(a) The person was licensed, certified or otherwise authorized to provide health care services
not more than 10 years before entry in the registry; and
(b) The person meets such other criteria as may be established by the authority.
(2) Notwithstanding any other law prohibiting a person from providing health care services
without a license, certificate or other authorization from a health professional regulatory board, a
person entered in the [emergency health care provider] registry under subsection (1) of this section
may provide health care services [during a state of emergency declared under ORS 401.165 or a state
of public health emergency declared under ORS 433.441] without a license, certification or other au-
thorization if:
(a) The person is in compliance with all rules adopted by the authority for persons providing
health care services under this section; and
(b) The authority has directed the person to provide health care services under ORS 401.661 (1).
(3) The authority may adopt rules, after consulting with the appropriate health professional
regulatory boards, that establish criteria and requirements for including persons in the [emergency
health care provider] registry under this section, including but not limited to:
(a) Educational requirements;
(b) Training requirements;
(c) Verification of previous licenses, certifications or other authorization by a health profes-
sional regulatory board;
(d) Verification that the previous licenses, certifications or other authorization of the person
was not revoked by reason of unprofessional conduct or any other reason that would affect the
person’s ability to safely provide health care services; and
(e) Limitations on the type of health care services that may be provided by the person under this
section and the places at which those services may be provided.
SECTION 6. ORS 401.661 is amended to read:
401.661. [If the Governor declares a state of emergency under ORS 401.165 or declares a state of
public health emergency under ORS 433.441:]
(1) The Oregon Health Authority, in conjunction with the Department of Human Services for
facilities licensed by the department, may direct [emergency health care providers] individuals reg-
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istered under ORS 401.654 who are willing to provide [health care] volunteer services to proceed
to any place in this state where [health care] such services are required [by reason of the emergency
or crisis;].
(2) Pursuant to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and the Pacific Northwest
Emergency Management Arrangement, the Oregon Health Authority may direct [emergency health
care providers] individuals registered under ORS 401.654 who are willing to provide [health care]
volunteer services in another state to proceed to another state where [emergency health care] such
services are required by reason of an emergency in that state[; and].
(3) Any [emergency health care provider] individual registered under ORS 401.654 or [other] any
health care provider may volunteer to perform [health care] services described in ORS 401.657 at any
[emergency health care center] temporary public health center designated under ORS 401.657, or
health care facility, in the manner provided by ORS 401.664.
SECTION 7. ORS 401.664 is amended to read:
401.664. (1) [Emergency health care providers] Individuals registered under ORS 401.654 and
[other] health care providers who volunteer to perform [health care] services under ORS 401.651 to
401.670 must provide those services in accordance with the [emergency] volunteer operations plan
and credentialing plan adopted by the [emergency health care center] temporary public health
center or [by] the health care facility at which the services are rendered.
(2) [An emergency health care center] A temporary public health center or health care facility
may determine the services to be provided by any [emergency health care provider] individual reg-
istered under ORS 401.654 or [other] any health care provider who volunteers to perform health care
services under ORS 401.651 to 401.670.
SECTION 8. ORS 401.667 is amended to read:
401.667. (1) [If the Governor declares a state of emergency under ORS 401.165, or declares a state
of public health emergency under ORS 433.441, emergency health care providers] Individuals regis-
tered under ORS 401.654 and [other] health care providers who volunteer to perform health care
services under ORS 401.651 to 401.670 are agents of the state under ORS 30.260 to 30.300 for the
purposes of any claims arising out of services that are provided under ORS 401.651 to 401.670 pur-
suant to directions from a public body and that are within the course and scope of the [health care
provider’s] individual’s duties, without regard to whether the [health care provider] individual is
compensated for the services.
(2) [If the Governor declares a state of emergency under ORS 401.165, or declares a state of public
health emergency under ORS 433.441, health care facilities designated under ORS 401.657 and other
persons operating emergency health care centers designated under ORS 401.657] Temporary public
health centers designated under ORS 401.657, operators of temporary public health centers
and other health care facilities are agents of the state under ORS 30.260 to 30.300 for the purposes
of any claims arising out of services that are provided through those centers or facilities under ORS
401.651 to 401.670 pursuant to directions from a public body and that are within the course and
scope of the duties of the [health care facility or other person] centers, operators or facilities,
without regard to whether the [health care facility or other person is] centers, operators or facili-
ties are compensated for the services.
(3) An [emergency health care provider] individual registered under ORS 401.654 participating in
training authorized by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 401.651 to 401.670 is an agent of the
state under ORS 30.260 to 30.300 for the purposes of any claims arising out of that training.
(4) The provisions of subsection (2) of this section apply only to [emergency health care centers]
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temporary public health centers or health care facilities that have adopted [emergency] volunteer
operations plans and credentialing plans that govern the use of [emergency health care providers]
individuals registered under ORS 401.654 and [other] health care providers who volunteer to per-
form health care services under ORS 401.651 to 401.670. [An emergency] A volunteer operations
plan and a credentialing plan must comply with rules governing those plans adopted by the author-
ity.
SECTION 9. ORS 656.047 is amended to read:
656.047. (1) The Oregon Health Authority shall provide workers’ compensation coverage for
[volunteer emergency health care providers] individuals registered under ORS 401.654 who are in-
jured in the course and scope of performing [emergency health care] volunteer services if the injury
occurs:
(a) While the [volunteer] individual is performing [health care] services at the direction of the
authority under ORS 401.661; [or]
(b) While the [volunteer] individual is engaged in training being conducted or approved by the
authority for the purpose of preparing the [volunteer] individual to perform [emergency health care]
services[.]; or
(c) While the individual is performing services at the direction of the authority, pursuant
to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and the Pacific Northwest Emergency
Management Arrangement, in another state where such services are required by reason of
an emergency in that state.
(2) Workers’ compensation coverage shall be provided under this section in the manner provided
by ORS 656.039.
SECTION 10. ORS 431A.015 is amended to read:
431A.015. (1) Unless the Governor has declared a public health emergency under ORS 433.441,
the Public Health Director may, upon approval of the Governor or the designee of the Governor,
take the public health actions described in subsection (2) of this section if the Public Health Direc-
tor determines that:
(a)(A) A communicable disease, reportable disease, disease outbreak, epidemic or other condition
of public health importance has affected more than one county;
(B) There is an immediate need for a consistent response from the state in order to adequately
protect the public health;
(C) The resources of the local public health authority or authorities are likely to be quickly
overwhelmed or unable to effectively manage the required response; and
(D) There is a significant risk to the public health; or
(b) A communicable disease, reportable disease, disease outbreak, epidemic or other condition
of public health importance is reported in Oregon and is an issue of significant regional or national
concern or is an issue for which there is significant involvement from federal authorities requiring
state-federal coordination.
(2) The Public Health Director, after making the determinations required under subsection (1)
of this section, may take the following public health actions:
(a) Coordinate the public health response across jurisdictions.
(b) Prescribe measures for the:
(A) Identification, assessment and control of the communicable disease or reportable disease,
disease outbreak, epidemic or other condition of public health importance; and
(B) Allocation and distribution of antitoxins, serums, vaccines, immunizing agents, antibiotics,
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antidotes and other pharmaceutical agents, medical supplies or personal protective equipment.
(c) After consultation with appropriate medical experts, create and require the use of diagnostic
and treatment guidelines and provide notice of those guidelines to health care providers, institutions
andfacilities.
(d) Require a person to obtain treatment and use appropriate prophylactic measures to prevent
the introduction or spread of a communicable disease or reportable disease, unless:
(A) The person has a medical diagnosis for which a vaccination is contraindicated; or
(B) The person has a religious or conscientious objection to the required treatments or
prophylacticmeasures.
(e) Notwithstanding ORS 332.075, direct a district school board to close a children’s facility or
school under the jurisdiction of the board. The authority granted to the Public Health Director un-
der this paragraph supersedes the authority granted to the district school board under ORS 332.075
to the extent the authority granted to the board is inconsistent with the authority granted to the
director.
(f) Issue guidelines for private businesses regarding appropriate work restrictions.
(g) Organize public information activities regarding the public health response to circumstances
described in subsection (1) of this section.
(h) Adopt reporting requirements for, and provide notice of those reporting requirements to,
health care providers, institutions and facilities for the purpose of obtaining information directly
related to the public health threat presented.
(i) Take control of antitoxins, serums, vaccines, immunizing agents, antibiotics, antidotes and
other pharmaceutical agents, medical supplies or personal protective equipment.
(j) Direct and deploy [emergency health care providers] volunteers under ORS 401.661.
(3) The authority granted to the Public Health Director under this section is not intended to
override the general authority provided to a local public health authority except as already per-
mitted by law, or under the circumstances described in subsection (1) of this section.
(4) If the Oregon Health Authority adopts temporary rules to implement subsection (2) of this
section, the rules adopted are not subject to the provisions of ORS 183.335 (6)(a). The authority may
amend the temporary rules adopted under this subsection as often as is necessary to respond to the
public health threat.
(5) If it is necessary for the authority to purchase antitoxins, serums, vaccines, immunizing
agents, antibiotics, antidotes or other pharmaceutical agents, medical supplies or personal protective
equipment, the purchases are not subject to the provisions of ORS chapter 279A, 279B or 279C.
(6) If property is taken under the authority granted to the Public Health Director under sub-
section (2) of this section, the owner of the property is entitled to reasonable compensation from the
state.
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