Legislative UpdatesCurrent OPHA Policy Priorities (updated 2/27/2023)ENDORSED LEGISLATION 2023 Session Click on each bill to find more information below. HB 2918 & HB 2925: Racism is a Public Health Crisis: Round Three HB 3043: Toxic Free Kids Modernization HB 2773: Workforce Incentives Package HB 2558/SB 704 Creation of the Universal Health Care Plan Governance Board HB 2128 – Tobacco Equity Assessment SB 628 – PANDAS/PAN Pay Parity SB 858 Children's Service Districts HB 2918 & HB 2925: Racism is a Public Health Crisis In 2020, OPHA convened the Oregon Health Equity Task Force. Successes started with the declaration of racism as a public health crisis, with HR 6 and the passing of HB 4052 in 2022. Racism causes harm, trauma, illness, and death to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Oregonians. The work continues in 2023 to build the support and funds needed to implement HB 4052. The task force is convening again to create and advocate for HB 2918 & HB 2925 in the 2023 Legislative Session. HB 2918: Appropriates moneys to Oregon Health Authority to use to continue pilot program providing grants to entities to operate mobile health units. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023. HB 2925: Extends deadlines for affinity group task forces to complete their work with respect to allocations of resources to address communities' needs and health inequities faced by communities and to report recommendations to Legislative Assembly. Extends deadlines for Oregon Health Authority to develop recommendations for linguistically specific intervention programs and to report recommendations to Legislative Assembly. Declares emergency, effective on passage. SIGN OUR ENDORSEMENT FORM TO SHOW PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HB 2018 & HB 2925Questions? Contact OPHA Executive Director, Jessica Nischik-Long. Requires Oregon Health Authority to adopt and maintain list of designated high priority chemicals of concern used in cosmetic products and to periodically review and revise list. Requires authority to post certain information on authority's website. Requires manufacturers of cosmetic products sold in state to include on manufacturer's website notice of certain chemicals used in products, beginning on January 1, 2025. Bans manufacture, sale and distribution of cosmetic products containing certain chemicals and classes of chemicals in state, beginning on January 1, 2025. HB 3043: Toxic Free Kid's Act Modernization Revises provisions relating to chemicals in children's products. Becomes operative January 1, 2024. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die. HB 2773: Workforce Incentives Package Requires Oregon Health Authority to provide incentives to increase recruitment and retention of local public health professionals. Directs authority to provide grants to local public health agencies that provide interns and fellows with training in, and clinical supervision of, nursing duties performed in local public health agencies. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die. HB 2558/SB 704 Creation of the Universal Health Care Plan Governance Board Establishes Universal Health Plan Governance Board and directs board to create comprehensive plan for implementing Universal Health Plan beginning in 2027. Modifies requirements of Healthy and Safe Schools Plan related to integrated pest management. Requires Department of Education to provide technical assistance to districts and schools regarding integrated pest management plans. Requires department to establish recommendations for limiting and reducing exposure to pesticides. Directs department to convene Healthy and Safe Schools Integrated Pest Advisory Committee. Direct department to provide grants to three school districts to test applicability of pesticide applicator records system. Requires governing bodies of schools to implement certain record keeping and reporting requirements related to school integrated pest management. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die. Prohibits distributing, selling, attempting to sell or allowing to be sold flavored inhalant delivery system product or flavored tobacco product in this state. Defines "flavored inhalant delivery system product" and "flavored tobacco product." Declares emergency, effective on passage. HB 2128 – Tobacco Equity Assessment Replaces escrow deposit system required of tobacco product manufacturers who are nonparticipating manufacturers for purposes of Master Settlement Agreement with requirement of direct payments to state. Amends findings to state policy to include statement of intention to hold all tobacco product manufacturers liable for cigarette-related health care costs, regardless of status under Master Settlement Agreement. Applies to certifications submitted on or after January 1, 2025. Takes effect on 91st following adjournment sine die. SB 628 – PANDAS/PAN Pay Parity Requires health benefit plan and health care service contract coverage of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. SB 858 Children's Service Districts Authorizes formation of children's service districts. Authorizes children's service districts to levy property taxes to fund programs that offer children's services. Defines "children's services" as services that support children's total health and well-being provided outside of school hours to individuals not more than 18 years of age. Provides that, if action is filed by taxpayer for real property located within children's service district asserting valid claim that revenue funding project is subject to compression under $5 per $1,000 of real market value cap for purposes of Ballot Measure 5 (1990) as revenue funding project constituting educational services, children's service district shall discontinue project and shall use revenue for project that does not constitute educational services. |