Education

Digest: Tells DELC to provide information to some people who are looking for child care. Allows ODHS to provide that information on behalf of DELC. (Flesch Readability Score 67.7). ] Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to provide standardized information on all publicly funded early learning and care programs and resources available in this state to people who apply for or are placed on the waitlist for the Employment Related Day Care subsidy program. Allows the Early Learning System Director to delegate this responsibility to the Department of Human Services by interagency agreement with the Director of Human Services. [ Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, to review and develop recommendations on background check requirements for publicly funded staff working under the jurisdiction of these agencies and submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education and early learning and care no later than September 15, 2026. ] Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Directs school districts to adopt policies that provide for the immediate enrollment, school placement and provision of services to homeless students. Directs the Department of Education to designate a state coordinator for the education of homeless students.

Directs the State Board of Education to allow play-based learning to be considered instructional time for students in kindergarten through grade five.

HB 4112 increases funding for Oregon's outdoor school program by $6 million, raising the biennial allocation from $48 million to $54 million for the 2025-2027 budget period. This funding supports outdoor education programs that provide hands-on environmental learning experiences for students, directly benefiting schools and educational organizations participating in the program. The bill also declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon passage, though the emergency declaration does not alter the funding amount or program structure.