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SB 1538 Oregon Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Relating to conduct of public education; and prescribing an effective date.

Summary
Requires district school boards to admit all students to all schools and instructional programs of the school district. Prohibits discrimination in education related to immigration or citizenship status. Makes limited exceptions. Adds requirements for model policies prepared by the Attorney General related to immigration enforcement at public schools. Requires school districts and education service districts to [ adopt related policies and procedures and to provide training to district employees related to the policies and procedures ] provide applicable model policies to employees . Takes effect July 1, 2026.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school boards to admit all students regardless of immigration status, prohibits discrimination in education, and mandates policies expanding access to public schools.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits discrimination based on immigration status in schools, requires policies limiting school cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed Mar 5, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Introduced → A-Engrossed · 5 edits · Feb 17, 2026
MODERATE
This bill expands access to public schools by clarifying that all students must be admitted to all instructional programs, not just general schools. It also adds limited exceptions to anti-discrimination rules and modifies how school districts handle immigration-related policies by requiring them to provide model policies to employees rather than adopting new procedures.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from general school admission to specifically include 'instructional programs' within school districts, and added limited exceptions to anti-discrimination provisions.
ELIGIBILITY

Changed school admission requirements to explicitly include all 'instructional programs' in the district, not just general schools.

Removed provisions about admitting students without fixed residence or parental supervision, and provisions about expelling students from other districts.

REQUIREMENT

Added limited exceptions to the prohibition on discrimination related to immigration or citizenship status.

Modified immigration policy requirements from requiring school districts to adopt new policies and provide training to requiring them to provide applicable model policies to employees.

SCOPE

Added ORS 332.405 and 339.133 to the list of statutes being amended, expanding the bill's legal scope.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026 · House Feb 26, 2026

How they voted

23–7
Passed
Total votes 30
Feb 17, 2026
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
5 Yea 7 Nay
58% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Mar 5, 2026
Signed into law
Governor signed.
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced
Vote explanation(s) filed by Diehl.
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Rieke Smith. Passed.
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass.
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Education.
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Introduced
Vote explanation(s) filed by Sollman.
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Introduced
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Frederick. Passed.
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to Education.
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.