SB 527 Oregon Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to behavioral health workforce training for students; declaring an emergency.

Summary

] Directs the Oregon Health Authority to [ develop and implement a grant program to distribute moneys ] award grants to local workforce development boards to partner with certain entities to [ provide ] establish and implement behavioral health education and training programs for high school students. Requires the local workforce development boards to consult with the authority to establish partnerships with specific entities to administer the programs. Requires the authority to consider recommendations from a statewide organization that represents all local workforce development boards when determining the amount of a grant to award. Sunsets on January 2, 2029. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Jun 28, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → A-Engrossed · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand eligibility for grant recipients by adding federally recognized Indian tribes, require culturally and linguistically specific training for underserved communities, and establish a new requirement for the Oregon Health Authority to consider recommendations from a statewide workforce organization when determining grant amounts. The amendments also updated grant usage categories to include sponsored internships and added a new section requiring the statewide organization to submit grant recommendations within 30 days of the bill's effective date.

Scope change

Expanded eligibility to include federally recognized Indian tribes and added requirements for culturally and linguistically specific training programs targeting underserved communities.

ELIGIBILITY

Added federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible entities to partner with local workforce development boards for administering behavioral health training programs.

REQUIREMENT

Required programs to provide culturally and linguistically specific training opportunities to high school students from underserved communities to increase diversity in the behavioral health workforce.

Added requirement for the Oregon Health Authority to consider recommendations from a statewide organization representing all local workforce development boards when determining grant amounts.

Added new section requiring the statewide organization to submit grant award recommendations to the Oregon Health Authority within 30 days of the bill's effective date.

FISCAL

Expanded allowable grant uses to include sponsored internships in addition to technology resources, licensing fees, and course materials.

DEFINITION

Added statutory reference to ORS 660.300 when defining local workforce development boards.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

In committee upon adjournment.

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. (Printed A-Eng.)

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to Early Childhood and Behavioral Health, then Ways and Means.

upper

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors