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Rulemaking Activity

HCRQI Rulemaking Activity

Information relating to rulemaking actions by the Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement section can be accessed below and includes information on current Rule Advisory Committees (RACs) in progress as well as information on how a person or community affected by our regulatory functions may apply to serve on a Rule Advisory Committee (RAC). RACs are an important process that allow members of the public and communities to provide input and suggestions during the development of new rules or amending current rules. 

The following rules have been recently adopted or amended. Copies of the Hearing's Officer Reports are available on the webpage - Laws and Rules Governing the Public Health Division:

  • Physical Environment - Rules addressing project review requirements for new construction or rennovations and the physical environment standards for health care facilities ​​- Permanent Administrative Order PH-7-2025


Notice of Temporary Rulemaking: OAR chapter 333, divisions 590 and 615 - Demonstration of Need for Acute Inpatient Beds and Psychiatric Hospitals

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is temporarily amending rules in OAR chapter 333, divisions 590 and 615, temporarily suspending OAR 333-615-0020, and temporarily adopting OARs 333-615-0025, 333-615-0035, 333-615-0060, and 333-615-0070 relating to the analysis of information an applicant must provide to OHA to demonstrate the need for psychiatric inpatient beds. These amendments are necessary to be able to adequately evaluate a Certificate of Need application using relevant data, methods, and timelines. There are currently outdated data references in the rules that direct an applicant to review data outside the window of time relevant to current applicants. Additionally, there are assumptions built into the current rules that direct an applicant to assume a declining use rate for hospitals, and prescribes methodology built on this now inaccurate trend for Oregon’s hospital use rates. Current rules reference studies that are no longer published or relevant to the grant of a Certificate of Need. Prior to the submission of any letter of intent, the updated rules must be in place so current, relevant data, timelines, and methodology can be analyzed and used for purposes of reviewing the application.​

Temporary rules are effective October 22, 2025 through April 19, 2026. 

OHA intends to make these rule changes permanent through a permanent rulemaking process prior to expiration.

For more details, please see the Temporary Administrative Order, including the Statement of Need and Justification and the full text of the temporary rule:
If you have any questions or would prefer a hardcopy be sent, please email Matt Gilman at matt.s.gilman@oha.oregon.gov or Mellony Bernal at mellony.c.bernal@oha.oregon.gov​. 

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​Notice of Proposed Permanent Rulemaking: OAR chapter 333, divisions 590 and 615 – Demonstration of Need for Acute Inpatient Beds and Psychiatric Hospitals (Certificate of Need)


The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division, Certificate of Need (CN) Program is proposing to permanently amend OAR 333-590-0000, and permanently adopt, repeal and amend administrative rules in OAR chapter 333, division 615 relating to the analysis of information an applicant must provide to OHA to demonstrate the need for psychiatric inpatient beds. 

These rules will make permanent a temporary rulemaking that will expire on April 19, 2026 (Temporary Administrative Order PH 20-2025) and are necessary to be able to continue to adequately evaluate a Certificate of Need application using relevant data, methods, and timelines. 

For more details, including a description of each rule's proposed changes, please see the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Statement of Need and Fiscal and Racial Equity Impacts, and the full text of the proposed rules:  
Persons are invited to review and comment on the proposed rules. There are two (2) options to provide comment:

1) Oral (spoken) testimony may be provided during a public hearing scheduled on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time via video/phone conference using Microsoft Teams. 

To provide oral testimony during this hearing:

  • Join using the Meeting URL. You can also find the join link for the meeting in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under “Remote Meeting Details” using the “Meeting URL."
  • You may also contact the Public Health Division Rules Coordinator at publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov to sign-up to give oral testimony and receive the link for the Microsoft Teams video conference via calendar appointment.
  • ​​To join the hearing via phone (audio/listen only), you may dial 971-277-2343, phone conference ID 116 168 48#

2)  Written comments may be submitted before 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time on March 23, 2026:
​OHA - Public Health Division​
Brittany Hall, Administrative Rules Coordinator
800 NE Oregon St. Suite 930
Portland, OR 97232

*Comments sent by regular mail must be postmarked by 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time on March 23, 2026.
  • Send comments by fax to 971-673-1299
​Final rules will be filed after consideration of all comments. 

Email Mellony Bernal at mellony.c.bernal@oha.oregon.gov or Matt Gilman at matt.s.gilman@oha.oregon.gov for any questions or if a hardcopy is needed.

Accessibility Statement: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide free help. Some examples are sign language and spoken language interpreters, real-time captioning, braille, large print, audio, and written materials in other languages. If you need help with these services, please contact the Public Health Administrative Rules Coordinator at 971-673-1222, 711 TTY or publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov. All relay calls are accepted.


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​Health Licensing Office publishes FAQ for sign language interpreter medical licenses


During the 2025 Legislative Session, SB 950 (2025) was passed and signed into law by the Governor on May 28, 2025. The new law repeals the sign language interpreter (SLI) medical license, effective January 1, 2026. However, any SLI medical license issued between June 8, 2024, and December 31, 2025, will remain valid through January 1, 2029, allowing the SLI an additional three years to practice in settings determined by the Oregon Board of Sign Language Interpreters. Settings will be established in rules as of January 1, 2026.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the SLI medical licenses will no longer be issued or renewed due to SB 950 (2025), which repeals these licenses.

To support license holders and the public in understanding these changes, HLO has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
​News regarding the Board of Sign Language Interpreters can be found here.

If you have any questions, please contact Josh Page at josh.page@oha.oregon.gov, or by calling (503) 934-0720. 

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Accessibility Statement: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide free help. Some examples are sign language and spoken language interpreters, real-time captioning, braille, large print, audio, and written materials in other languages. If you need help with these services, please contact the Public Health Administrative Rules Coordinator at 971-673-1222, 711 TTY or publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov at least 48 hours before the meeting. All relay calls are accepted. To best ensure our ability to provide a modification please contact us if you are considering attending the meeting and require a modification. The earlier you make a request the more likely we can meet the need.​
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​Certificate of Need (CN) Rulemaking Advisory Committee 

​This Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is being convened to review proposed amendments to OAR chapter 333, divisions 590 and 615 rules, so that the CN Program can adequately evaluate a CN application using relevant data, methods, and timelines. The RAC will review the temporary rules filed on October ​​22​, 2025​ and consider whether additional changes are necessary before proceeding with permanent rulemaking. 

The RAC application process is closed. RAC meetings have been scheduled for:


S​B 537 - Workplace Violence Prevention Safety Requirements in Healthcare Settings

This RAC was convened to consider proposed administrative rules relating to sections 8 through 13 of SB 537.​ RAC meetings have concluded and permanent rules filed on January 29, 2026 (see the tab 'Recently Filed New and Amended Rules.)  


Birthing Center Rule Advisory Committee 

This RAC reviewed proposed amendments to the licensing requirements for a birthing center. RAC meetings were held between May 2019 and June 2024. A community meeting was held in November 2024. Permanent rules​ were filed on November 3, 2025.​ ​

​​​​Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement Rule Advisory Committee Community Participation ​


The Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement (HCRQI) section is seeking persons and communities who would be affected by administrative rules relating to any of HCRQIs regulatory functions and who would be interested in serving on a rulemaking advisory committee (RAC).

RACs are an important process that allow members of the public and communities to provide input and suggestions during the development of new administrative rules, amending or repealing existing rules, and identifying the potential fiscal impact on small business as well as the effect on racial equity in Oregon. Diverse opinions and viewpoints are an important part of the rulemaking process.

The following is a list of administrative rules pertaining to the regulatory and licensing functions of programs within HCRQI. Persons interested in serving on future RACs relating to any of these topics are encouraged to complete the RAC Interest Application Form. Applications will be saved and applicants contacted when future RACs are convened.


Regulatory programs:
  • Ambulatory surgery centers (OAR 333-076)
  • Caregiver registries (OAR 333-540)
  • Certificate of need (OAR 333-545 through 333-670)
  • Extended stay centers (OAR 333-076)
  • Freestanding birthing centers (OAR 333-076)
  • Health care practitioner referral (OAR 333-072)
  • Hemodialysis technician certification (OAR 333-275)
  • Home health agencies (OAR 333-027)
  • Hospice programs (OAR 333-035)
  • Hospitals (OAR 333-500 through 333-535)
  • In-home care agencies (OAR 333-536)
  • Non-transplant anatomical research recovery organizations (OAR 333-081)
  • Outpatient renal dialysis facilities (OAR 333-700)
  • Project plans and construction review for health care facilities, residential care, and assisted living facilities (OAR 333-675)
  • Special inpatient care facilities (OAR 333-071)
  • Organ procurement organizations, tissue banks, eye banks registries (OAR 333-080)