Rep. Ricki Ruiz

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.

Requires the Oregon Health Authority and coordinated care organizations to reimburse the cost of clinically validated blood pressure cuffs prescribed to medical assistance recipients.

Directs the Department of Human Services to adopt by rule a minimum staffing ratio of 30 to 1 for service coordinators and personal agents serving individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Sunsets January 2, 2027. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Authorizes the governing bodies of certain public entities that own or control public buildings to adopt a policy, ordinance or regulation limiting the affirmative defense for concealed handgun licensees for the crime of possessing a firearm in a public building. Provides that in a prosecution for possessing a firearm in a building or on grounds subject to such a policy, ordinance or regulation, the concealed handgun licensee affirmative defense is not a complete defense, but results in a Class A misdemeanor conviction punishable by 364 days' imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both.

Applies the prevailing rate of wage to certain off-site custom work fabricated, assembled or produced in accordance with specifications for a particular public works. Specifies examples of such custom work. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires the Department of Corrections to study the Corrections Ombudsman. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the judiciary no later than September 15, 2026.

Requires the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to study methods for detecting paycheck errors. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to business and labor not later than September 15, 2026. Sunsets on January 2, 2027. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Prohibits a person under 21 years of age from possessing firearms with specified exceptions. Punishes by a maximum of 364 days' imprisonment, a fine of up to $6,250, or both. Prohibits a person from transferring certain firearms to a recipient the person knows, or reasonably should know, is under 21 years of age. Punishes by a maximum of 364 days' imprisonment, a fine of up to $6,250, or both. Specifies exceptions.

Directs the Department of Human Services to provide grants to nonprofit service providers to assist individuals who are noncitizens to change their immigration status or obtain lawful permanent resident status. Requires the nonprofit service providers to report on the number of individuals who succeed in changing their immigration status or obtaining lawful permanent resident status. Directs the department to provide every individual served by the department information about, and a referral to the grant program. Declares that it is state policy to help Oregonians who are eligible under federal law change their immigration status or obtain lawful permanent resident status. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the department for the purpose of providing grants. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Requires a license to provide earned income access services in this state. Specifies procedures for applying for a license, the contents of an application and criteria under which the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services may issue a license. Specifies requirements that a licensee or service provider must meet and prohibitions on certain actions. Imposes a civil penalty of not more than $2,500 for each violation of a provision of the Act. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.