OregonBehavioral health employers must prepare worker safety plans
Starting on contract milestones from July 1, 2027, behavioral health employers that contract with Oregon’s health authority must give new workers a written safety plan.
What it does
Behavioral health employers that contract with Oregon’s health authority must keep a written plan for workers’ physical safety and give it to new hires.
Plans must cover workers who work alone, work locations, security hazards, and required training. They must fit each employer’s setting and be easy for staff to find.
Argument forWorkers may know how to report building security hazards and when employers must respond, which could help them raise safety concerns.
Argument againstEmployers may need to spend staff time writing and updating plans that cover lone workers, hazards, and training.
More detail
Employers must have a written plan for workers’ physical safety and give a copy to new workers when they are hired. This applies to behavioral health providers that contract with the Oregon Health Authority, including treatment facilities, crisis teams, and emergency shelters. The law takes effect July 1, 2027. For employers without a contract on that date, the requirement begins when they first sign one. For employers with a contract on that date, it begins at the first renewal, extension, or amendment after that contract expires.
The plan must cover lone workers, work locations, hazard reports, and required safety training. A lone worker directly provides or helps deliver behavioral health services without a nearby colleague or close supervision. Work locations include facilities, vehicles, and other places where work happens regularly. The plan must fit the employer’s setting and be easy for staff to access. It must explain how soon new workers receive required training and how often current workers receive renewal training. The plan requirements begin on the contract timelines described above.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 6Chapter 43, (2026 Laws): Effective date July 1, 2027.Latest
- Mar 31Governor Tina Kotek signed.Became Law
- Mar 5President signed.Major
- Mar 4Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 3Smith DB, granted unanimous consent to change vote to nay.
- Vote recorded Third reading. Carried by Patterson. Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Third reading. Carried by Patterson. Passed.Passed Senate
- Mar 2Second reading.Minor
- Mar 2Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.Minor
- Feb 24Public Hearing and Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Referred to Early Childhood and Behavioral Health.Minor
- Feb 19First reading. Referred to President's desk.Minor
- Feb 17Third reading. Carried by Javadi. Passed.Passed House
- Vote recorded Third reading. Carried by Javadi. Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16Second reading.Minor
- Feb 12Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.Minor
- Feb 10Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Public Hearing held.
- Feb 2Referred to Behavioral Health.Minor
- Feb 2First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.Introduced
Mental HealthPublic Safety