Legislative Changes to Improve Child Safety in Out-of-Home Care

In the 2016 and 2017 legislative sessions, laws were passed to improve safety and oversight in most substitute care settings for children and young adults.

• In 2016, Senate Bill 1515 changed how the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) regulates child-caring agencies (CCA) and responds to safety concerns and reports of child abuse or neglect.
• In 2017, Senate Bill 243 expanded many of the provisions of Senate Bill 1515 to apply to ODHS certified foster homes (including homes certified by Child Welfare and Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS)) and ODDS licensed group homes.

This page provides information about ODHS actions to comply with these laws and ensure the highest standards of safety are provided to children whenever they reside or receive services outside of their family homes.

See also: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse

Senate Bill 1515 (2016)

• SB 1515 Fact Sheet
• Summary of Rule Changes
• Office of Adult Abuse Prevention and Investigations SB 1515 Fact Sheet
• SB 1515 Background Check Changes
• Child-Caring Agencies Contact Information form
• SB 1515 Matrix
• SB 1515 Questions and Answers
  
• Reporting on Child Safety and Well-being in Child Caring Agencies (CCAs)
  

Senate Bill 243(2017)

• SB 243 Fact Sheet
  
• Matrix of all 2017 legislation that amends SB 1515
• Overview of 2017 statutory changes:
• Impact to ODDS licensed group homes (See also ODDS Fact Sheet)
• Impact to CCAs
• SB 243 Training for foster parents certified by Child Welfare
  
• SB 243 Training for all providers