Oregon schools enroll homeless students quickly and protect school access

School districts provide immediate enrollment, placement, and services to homeless students. This covers students who lack a steady, adequate place to sleep, have been abandoned in a hospital, or otherwise qualify under federal law, including children eligible for publicly funded preschool. District policy must address missing records, missed deadlines, and disputes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

School districts allow students to remain at their school of origin and provide transportation in specified cases. Students may remain at their school of origin while homeless and, if they become housed during a school year, for the rest of that school year. Transportation also covers certain trips to school and activities. A district may choose another school if it finds that placement is in the student’s best interest. It must presume the school of origin is best unless a parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth asks for another school. Transportation depends on the student’s school, requests, and whether it removes a barrier. When a student crosses district lines, districts share transportation costs and responsibility by agreement or equally if they cannot agree. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

School districts use a dispute process and keep students enrolled while certain disputes are resolved. The process covers disputes about enrollment, school placement, or services for homeless students. During a dispute about homelessness eligibility or school placement, the student attends the school requested by the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth until the dispute and all available appeals are resolved. Families may bring a lawyer, advocate, or another helper. Districts provide language or disability support at no charge. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.