Sen. Michael Dembrow

Directs Department of Education to conduct study related to reengaging into school persons who dropped out of public secondary schools. Directs department to submit report to interim committee of Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2020. Sunsets December 31, 2020. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Establishes Task Force on Family Engagement in Education. Directs task force to submit report to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to education no later than September 15, 2020. Sunsets task force on December 31, 2020. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Allows cause of action against patent holder or licensed manufacturer for genetically engineered organism present on land without permission of owner or lawful occupant. Allows court to award prevailing plaintiff costs, attorney fees and treble economic damages.

Allows student enrolled in program provided by school district or education service district to earn General Educational Development (GED) certificate to participate in interscholastic activities. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2019.

Requires manufacturer to disclose in any advertisement for prescription drug wholesale price in Oregon of prescription drug. Imposes civil penalty for violation of requirement.

Establishes Task Force on Prison Education. Requires task force to report to committees of Legislative Assembly by September 15, 2020. Sunsets on December 31, 2020. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Establishes Legislative Assembly Paid Internships Program to provide stipends to interns performing services in offices of members of Legislative Assembly. Provides that stipends to be offered are to be of equal value. Appropriates moneys to fund program. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2019.

Requires public institutions of higher education to bypass developmental educational requirements and placement tests for each student who receives grade on approved high school equivalency test indicating student is fully qualified to bypass requirements and tests. Requires public institutions of higher education to bypass requirements and tests for score of 165 or higher received on General Educational Development (GED) test unless institution notifies Higher Education Coordinating Commission that institution considers score of higher than 165 in identified subject areas to be necessary to bypass requirements and tests. Requires commission to convene committee upon notification by institution to make final determination, based on justification provided by institution, on whether institution may require score of higher than 165 on General Educational Development (GED) test for student to bypass requirements and tests. Requires committee to submit report to committees of Legislative Assembly relating to higher education if committee agrees with institution's justification.

Establishes Early Childhood Equity Fund. Authorizes Early Learning Division to make grants from fund for purpose of supporting culturally specific early learning, early childhood and parent support programs in this state and to promote capacity of culturally specific organizations to deliver programs . Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires person applying for renewal of driver license or driver permit to pass knowledge test of traffic laws. Directs Department of Transportation to combine Oregon driver manual with Oregon bicyclist manual.