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Administrative Rules

Current Rules & Proposed Rulemaking
Current Rules

The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adopts administrative rules that affect staff members, inmates, and members of the public. These rules help the Department carry out statutory requirements and act in accordance with the Agency mission to promote public safety.

For a list of DOC rules please visit the Oregon Secretary of State .

The Oregon Administrative Rules Database (OARD) provides access to the official rules governing state agencies, including policies, procedures, and regulations.

Proposed Rulemaking

The Department of Corrections filed Notices of Proposed Rulemaking for administrative rules under consideration but not yet adopted. All agency rulemaking notices are published by the Secretary of State in the Oregon Bulletin .

The Department welcomes comments on proposed rules. When submitting comments, please include the division number and title of the proposed rule. Written comments may be submitted using the “Submit a Comment” link in the menu on the left side of the screen.

Details:

BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 037 rules establish department policy and procedures governing the submission and processing of requests of the department for public records.

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on April 28, 2026.

PROPOSED CHANGES

The proposed amendment establishes a process to collect credit card payments from requesters.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

These rules are open for public comment on the proposed change. The last day and time to offer comment is June 17, 2026, at 12:00PM (noon). Comments must be received by the Rules Office before the close of the comment period to be reviewed and considered.

Submit comments to:
Email: DOC.RulesCoordinator@doc.oregon.gov
Mail:  DOC Rules Coordinator
3723 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Ste 200

Salem, OR 97302

Online Comment Form: https://odoc.wufoo.com/forms/public-comment-form/


Details:

291-048 Mental Health Special Housing

PROPOSED CHANGES

  • Adopt a new rule, OAR 291-048-0305 Programming Levels in a Behavioral Health Unit for managing movement and supervision of adults in custody within Behavioral Health Units - basing authorization on risk, treatment plans, and individual progress, and requiring escort supervision - intending to further enhance security and accountability and ensuring staff can apply procedures uniformly while supporting effective care for individuals in treatment.
  • Improve consistency within these rules and with other department rules;
  • Remove gendered language;
  • Clarify the rules;
  • Add, update, or clarify definitions to align more closely with therapeutic services;
  • Update or further define process or align these rules with current process;
  • Update “inmate" to “adult in custody"

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on May 26, 2026. The last day and time to offer comment is July 20, 2026, at 12:00PM (noon). Comments must be received by the Rules Office before the close of the comment period to be reviewed and considered.

Proposed Rule Language

Submit comments to the DOC Rules Coordinator:
Email: DOC.RulesCoordinator@doc.oregon.gov
Mail:  DOC Rules Coordinator
3723 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Ste 200
Salem, OR 97302

Online Comment Form: https://odoc.wufoo.com/forms/public-comment-form/


Details:

291-082 Assessment, Assignment, and Supervision of AICs for Work Assignments and Unfenced Minimum Housing

BACKGROUND

The purpose of these rules is to establish Department of Corrections policy and procedures relating to the assessment, assignment, and supervision of adults in custody assigned to community custody work crews, on-site work assignments, and unfenced minimum housing.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on May 25, 2026, and filed with the Secretary of State on May 26, 2026. These temporary amendments are effective May 26, 2026 through November 21, 2026.

PROPOSED CHANGES

Proposed amendments to these rules would permanently adopt the temporary amendments and other amendments.

Temporary Amendments

  • Increase the eligibility threshold for outside-the-perimeter work assignments from 48 to 60 months remaining on sentence.
  • Allow AICs with misdemeanor convictions to be considered for assignments.
  • Remove prohibitions based on active Reckless Burning designators.
  • Revise the definition of “Escape" .
  • Adjust custody level thresholds to expand eligibility for community work and unfenced housing.

Other amendments

  • Change the term “inmate" to “AIC";
  • Make minor grammatical edits;
  • Edit for clarity, conciseness, or consistency with other department rules;
  • Add, update, or reorganize definitions;
  • Spell out acronyms;
  • Remove gendered language or use current terminology; and
  • Remove duplicative attachments and provide direction to the rule where they can be found.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on May 27, 2026. The last day and time to offer comment is July 20, 2026, at 12:00PM (noon). Comments must be received by the Rules Office before the close of the comment period to be reviewed and considered.

Submit comments to the DOC Rules Coordinator:

Email: DOC.RulesCoordinator@doc.oregon.gov
Mail:  DOC Rules Coordinator
3723 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Ste 200
Salem, OR 97302
Online Comment Form: https://odoc.wufoo.com/forms/public-comment-form/

Details:

291-104 Classification

BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 104 rules establish how the Department of Corrections assigns custody levels, supports population management and planning, and guides the effective allocation of correctional resources.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on May 25, 2026, and filed with the Secretary of State on May 26, 2026. These temporary amendments are effective May 26, 2026 through November 21, 2026.

PROPOSED CHANGES

Proposed amendments to these rules would permanently adopt the temporary amendments and other amendments.

Temporary Amendments

  • Increase the eligibility threshold for outside-the-perimeter work assignments from 48 to 60 months remaining on sentence.
  • Adjust custody level thresholds to expand eligibility for community work and unfenced housing.
  • Removing ICE related override language to ensure classification and placement decisions reflect current Oregon Department of Corrections practices.
  • Revise the definition of “Escape" .

Other amendments

  • Change the term “inmate" to “AIC";
  • Make minor grammatical edits;
  • Edit for clarity, conciseness, or consistency with other department rules;
  • Clarify and updating classification criteria, scoring, definitions, and terminology to improve clarity, consistency, and alignment with statutory language and other department rules.
  • Clarify the role of the Classification Manager in custody classification reviews and decisions.
  • Clarify and updates key custody‑classification processes, including procedures for adults in custody who release and return with IMU‑related designators, requirements when IMU placement or a Level 5 designation is overturned, and the review and use of discretionary overrides (including Level 1–4 downward override requests).

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on May 27, 2026. The last day and time to offer comment is July 20, 2026, at 12:00PM (noon). Comments must be received by the Rules Office before the close of the comment period to be reviewed and considered.

Submit comments to the DOC Rules Coordinator:

Email: DOC.RulesCoordinator@doc.oregon.gov
Mail:  DOC Rules Coordinator
3723 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Ste 200
Salem, OR 97302


Recently Adopted Rules

291-180 Interstate Compact

BACKGROUND

Together with ORS 144.600, the department's Division 180 rules establish Oregon's participation in the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS) and the processing and management of adults on supervision transferring into or out of Oregon under the provisions of this compact. They provide guidance to county community corrections agencies and Department of Corrections institutions regarding the transfer and management of adults on supervision sent or received from other states under this compact.

Amendments to these rules incorporated by reference the current official ICAOS rules adopted by the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision effective April 1, 2026. 

Oregon's enabling compact legislation, ORS 144.600, provides that all rules and their amendments promulgated by the Interstate Commission are binding on compacting states as of the date specified in each rule or amendment.  Accordingly, this amendment to the department's Division 180 rules is needed to conform the department's rules to statutory requirements. 

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on March 26, 2026, with an effective date of March 26, 2026.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on February 4, 2026.

The public comment period was open from February 4, 2026 to March 25, 2026, at 12:00PM (noon). No public comments were received.


BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 041 rules establish the department's policy and procedures for the search of any person employed by or volunteering with the department or Oregon Corrections Enterprises, or any person visiting or living in a Department of Corrections facility, at any time.

These rules were under temporary adoption from January 23, 2026 through June 7, 2026 to authorize and establish the department's policy and procedures for the implementation and use of electronic searches (body scanners) in Department of Corrections facilities for the searching of adults in custody.

Amendments to these rules permanently adopt the temporary amendments that are needed to authorize and establish the department's policy and procedures for the implementation and use of electronic searches (body scanners) in Department of Corrections facilities for the searching of adults in custody.

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on April 27, 2026, with an effective date of May 1, 2026.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on February 4, 2026.

The public comment period was open from February 4, 2026 to March 25, 2026, at 12:00PM (noon). No public comments were received.

 


OVERVIEW

The Department of Corrections' Division 139 rules establish the department's policy and procedures for affording adults in custody reasonable access to law library services and equipment and to necessary supplies for the preparation and filing of legal documents with the courts and paroling authorities.

These rules were under temporary adoption January 26, 2026 through June 24, 2026 and were needed to:

1) allow the Legal Library to make copies of letters addressed to the Attorney General and District Attorneys: and

2) allow adults in custody to access secure network storage.

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on April 27, 2026, with an effective date of May 1, 2026.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on February 4, 2026. The public comment period was open from February 4, 2026, to March 25, 2026. Four comments were received. Details can be found in the Summary Memo attached below.

​ ​


BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 158 rules establish the department's policy and procedures for the administration of adult in custody trust accounts and financial information, and to safeguard adult in custody funds for authorized expenditures and assessments during incarceration, or, in anticipation of release.

Amendments to the rules:

  • Change the term "inmate" to "adult in custody";
  • Align the rules with current practices or align terms with statutory definitions;
  • Codify current practice;
  • Clarify the rules or definitions;
  • Add or delete definitions;
  • Update statutory references;
  • Establish guidelines for the assessment of fees to establish a trust account in accordance with ORS 421.125(2)(f); and
  • Clarify the adult in custody's responsibly associated with stop payment requests.

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on April 29, 2026, with an effective date of May 1, 2026.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on March 5, 2026.

These rules were open for public comment on the proposed changes through April 24, 2026, at 12:00PM (noon).


BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 203 rules establish the department's policy and procedures for determining an adult in custody's ability to pay for the cost of care, notifying the adult in custody of their financial obligation, and outlining their appeal rights.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director and filed with the Secretary of State on December 10, 2025, with temporary amendments effective December 10, 2025, through June 7, 2026. A subsequent Temporary Administrative Order was approved on March 3, 2026, and filed on March 4, 2026, effective March 4, 2026, through June 7, 2026.

Amendments to these rules permanently adopt the temporary amendments that are needed to:

  • Change the term “inmate" to “adult in custody";
  • Remove the requirement for the department to establish an ability to pay for each AIC; and
  • Allow DOC to pursue cost of care reimbursement from all adults in custody, not just those with determinate sentences.

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on May 13, 2026, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on May 13, 2026, 2026, with an effective date of May 15, 2026.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed December 10, 2025, with a public comment deadline of January 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon). A subsequent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed March 4, 2026, with a public comment deadline of April 24, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon). One comment was received. Details can be found in the Summary Memo attached below.​

 


291-104 Classification

Temporary Administrative Order 

Temporary Administrative Order Tracked Changes​ 

The Department of Corrections' Division 104 rules establish how the Department of Corrections assigns custody levels, supports population management and planning, and guides the effective allocation of correctional resources.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on May 25, 2026, and filed with the Secretary of State on May 26, 2026. These temporary amendments are effective May 26, 2026 through November 21, 2026, and are needed to:

  • Increase the eligibility threshold for outside-the-perimeter work assignments from 48 to 60 months remaining on sentence.
  • Adjust custody level thresholds to expand eligibility for community work and unfenced housing.
  • Removing ICE related override language to ensure classification and placement decisions reflect current Oregon Department of Corrections practices.
  • Revise the definition of “Escape".

The Department of Corrections finds that proceeding through the permanent rulemaking process would cause serious prejudice to the public interest. Immediate implementation of these amendments is necessary to ensure consistency between DOC policy and current operational practices, prevent confusion or misapplication of outdated eligibility criteria, and support equitable and effective population management. Delaying these updates would hinder the Department's ability to fairly apply classification criteria and could result in missed opportunities for adults in custody (AICs) to participate in meaningful work, reintegration activities, and appropriate housing placements.


291-082 Assessment, Assignment, and Supervision of AICs for Work Assignments and Unfenced Minimum Housing

Temporary Administrative Order 

Temporary Administrative Order Tracked Changes​ 

The Department of Corrections' Division 082 rules establish Department of Corrections policy and procedures relating to the assessment, assignment, and supervision of adults in custody assigned to community custody work crews, on-site work assignments, and unfenced minimum housing.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on May 25, 2026, and filed with the Secretary of State on May 26, 2026. These temporary amendments are effective May 26, 2026 through November 21, 2026, and are needed to:

  • Increase the eligibility threshold for outside-the-perimeter work assignments from 48 to 60 months remaining on sentence.
  • Allow AICs with misdemeanor convictions to be considered for assignments.
  • Remove prohibitions based on active Reckless Burning designators.
  • Revise the definition of “Escape" .
  • Adjust custody level thresholds to expand eligibility for community work and unfenced housing.

The Department of Corrections finds that proceeding through the permanent rulemaking process would cause serious prejudice to the public interest. Immediate implementation of these amendments is necessary to ensure consistency between DOC policy and current operational practices, prevent confusion or misapplication of outdated eligibility criteria, and support equitable and effective population management. Delaying these updates would hinder the Department's ability to fairly apply classification criteria and could result in missed opportunities for adults in custody (AICs) to participate in meaningful work, reintegration activities, and appropriate housing placements.


291-014 Arrest and Transport

BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 014 rules establish the department's policy and procedures for the apprehension and transport of adults on supervision who engage in violation behavior or are subject to an arrest warrant.

Amendments to these rules:

  • Make minor grammatical edits;
  • Clarify the rules:
  • Change the term “offender" to “adult on supervision";
  • Incorporate changes in the department's business terminology;
  • Update outdated statutory reference; and
  • Remove gendered language.

A Statutory Minor Correction was filed with the Secretary of State on June 8, 2026 to update a reference to ORS 137.550, which was renumbered in 1999 to ORS 137.545.

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on June 8, 2026, with an effective date of June 8, 2026.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on March 26, 2026.

These rules were open for public comment on the proposed changes from March 26, 2026 to May 20, 2026.


BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 076 rules establish the department's policy for the prevention of adult in custody suicides.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on March 24, 2026, and filed with the Secretary of State on March 24, 2026, with temporary amendments effective March 31, 2026 through September 26, 2026.

Amendments to these rules permanently adopt the temporary amendments that establish a new process for the review of an unexpected death of an adult in custody (AIC), including a death that is suspected to be caused by, related to, or associated with an act of self-harm

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on June 8, 2026, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State and effective on June 8, 2026.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on March 26, 2026, with a public comment deadline of May 20, 2026, at 12:00PM (noon). No comments were received.


BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 027 rules establish the department's policy and procedures for the proper notification and documentation of an inmate death.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on March 24, 2026, and filed with the Secretary of State on March 24, 2026, with temporary amendments effective March 31, 2026 through September 26, 2026.

Amendments to these rules permanently adopt the temporary amendments and other amendments.

Temporary Amendments

Establish the department's policy and procedures for:

1)      The department's cooperation with death investigations, including reporting responsibilities and applicable information retention; and

2)      The review of an unexpected death of an adult in custody;

Other amendments

3)      Change the term “inmate" to “AIC";

4)      Make minor grammatical edits;

5)      Define terms used in rules newly adopted to this division;

6)      Edit for clarity, conciseness, or consistency with other department rules;

7)      Update to standard definitions;

8)      Update policy titles;

9)      Remove gendered language or use current terminology; and

10)  Remove requirement to report to ICE.

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on June 8, 2026, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State and effective on June 8, 2026.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on March 26, 2026, with a public comment deadline of May 20, 2026, at 12:00PM (noon). One comment was received.


Rulemaking Calendar

This is the Oregon Transparency Public Meeting Calendar, which publishes public meetings for state agencies, boards, commissions, or Education Service District (ESD). Searches by agency, board, commission, branch, meeting title, date, and source is available on legend tools on the top right of the calendar. Access to chart and summary views is available on the legend tools found on the bottom left of the calendar.

Department of Corrections meetings will be clearly labeled beginning with 'DOC'. At this time, there are no scheduled rulemaking events. Updates will be posted here as soon as they become available.