Rep. Jules Walters

Maddy summarySB 477 allocates $12 million from Oregon's General Fund to the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission for the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program, effective July 1, 2025, for a two-year period. The funds will be distributed through the Northwest Health Foundation Fund II to support this program, which focuses on reducing racial disparities in the justice system as established in Oregon Laws 2022. This bill directly affects the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, the Northwest Health Foundation Fund II, and the communities served by the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program. It is a funding bill with no new policy requirements, solely providing financial resources for an existing program.

Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to the Tsuga Community Commission for the Oregon Summer Star program. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Establishes the Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Fund and appropriates moneys in the fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to provide funding to community colleges and public universities in this state that offer [ early childhood education degrees and certificates ] on-the-job training for students enrolled in early care and education or related degree or certificate programs . Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3581 removes time limits for prosecuting most felony sex crimes in Oregon, allowing victims to pursue legal action at any time regardless of when the crime occurred. It directly affects victims of specified offenses like rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, child exploitation, and trafficking, enabling prosecutions without the previous 6- to 20-year deadlines. The bill amends Oregon law to replace fixed time limits with "any time" prosecution for these crimes, except for certain cases involving minors under 18 (which retain a 30-year window from victim's 18th birthday) or specific offenses listed in subsections (3) and (4). The law takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends. This change applies only to felony sex crimes explicitly listed in the bill’s amendments.

Directs the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to inventory and assess existing primary prevention programs and youth substance use screening, intervention and referral programs. Directs the commission to analyze gaps in the provider workforce and service delivery system for youth in need of all levels of substance use disorder treatment. Requires the commission to report to the Legislative Assembly on its findings and recommendations.

Directs the Department of Education to review and update information collected for a survey of the academic assessments administered to the students of this state by school districts. Requires the department to submit an updated report to the State Board of Education and to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to education no later than December 15, 2026.

Directs the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to establish a program to provide legal services to assist adults in custody who are serving sentences at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Directs the commission to grant funds to the Oregon Justice Resource Center for purposes of the program. Directs the commission and center to evaluate the program and report to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to corrections no later than September 15, 2026. Sunsets December 31, 2027. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Directs the Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office to hire permanent staff to convene affinity group task forces to develop recommendations on addressing health inequities.

Establishes the Task Force on Eelgrass Resources. Provides duties of the task force and directs the task force to submit a report to the Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2027. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Prohibits a hospital from closing or ceasing, reducing or relocating health services without first providing notice 275 days in advance. Requires the hospital to provide notice to the Oregon Health Authority, local governments, patients, employees and the public. Allows the authority to impose civil penalties for violations.