GO! Bulletin
The First DD Advocacy Day of 2021

GO! ONLINE
This Wednesday
February 10th
10AM - 1PM

Join the Oregon DD Coalition’s GO! Project Advocacy Team online to learn about:
  • How to engage in advocacy remotely this session
  • Legislative Budget Priorities
  • Sharing Your Story & Effective Messaging

Use this link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6807712609

We have created a series of training videos to support your preparation for remote legislative advocacy. Visit our You Tube Channel or Facebook Page to view these videos. You can expect to learn about the following topics:

  • NEW! Legislative Advocacy Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
  • Why Is Advocacy Important?
  • How To Develop Your Message
  • Making a Legislative Appointment
  • Preparing For a Virtual Visit
  • Expecting the Unexpected
  • What to Do After a Legislative Visit
  • Advocacy Via Email
Our Budget Priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session

  • Reinstate Regional Family to Family Networks ($1.3 million GF)
  • Set DSP Wage at 150% above minimum wage (HB 2964)
  • Fully Fund Case Management Entities
  • Develop Statewide Data System

Policy Bills and Hearings This Week

Please see our DD Coalition Priority Bills Report for proposed legislation that we are currently tracking closely. Listed below are some of the hearings and bills we’re following in the upcoming week. 

MONDAY — February 8, 2021

8:00 am / Remote C: House Committee on Behavioral Health will hold a public hearing on HB 2822, a bill that requires the Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority to ensure that an individual receiving mental health services under 1915(i) state plan amendment does not lose any mental health services when that individual begins receiving services under 1915(k) state plan amendment.

8:00 am / Remote B: House Subcommittee on Equitable Policing will hold a public hearing on HB 2936, a bill that requires the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to investigate a person’s character before accepting the person for training and certification as police officer or reserve officer.

3:15 pm / Remote FHouse Committee on Human Services will be holding public hearings on the following bills:

o  HB 2106: Renames Children’s Advocate to Human Services Ombudsperson and expands scope of office duties to include matters relating to elderly person and vulnerable adult abuse.
o  HB 2394: Requires long term care facilities, residential facilities, adult foster homes and facilities with memory care endorsements to have isolation prevention plans to enable residents to communicate with other residents, family members, friends or other external support systems during public emergency.

3:15 pm / Remote 170House Committee on Health Care, Subcommittee on COVID-19 will be holding a public hearing on “Vaccine hesitancy, availability and accessibility for Oregonians who identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color.” The agenda states: “Please share your stories about what is working, what isn’t working and let us know how we can do better.” 

5:30 pm / Remote B: House Special Committee on Wildfire Recovery will be holding informational hearings on certain efforts and successes related to wildfire recovery efforts. 


TUESDAY — February 9, 2021

8:00 am / Remote F: Joint Committee on Transportation will be holding a public hearing on a large transportation bill (HB 3055) that includes some changes to the laws pertaining to disabled placards. 

1:00 pm / Remote F: House Committee on Judiciary, Subcommittee on Civil Laws will be holding a work session on HB 2105, a bill that prescribes standards for supported decision-making agreements. (Note that his bill has not yet had a public hearing; this work session is scheduled for the sole purpose of moving this bill to the House Committee on Human Services.)

1:00 pm / Remote E: House Committee on Education will be holding a public hearing on HB 2828, a bill that requires the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to school districts in adoption and implementation of child sexual abuse prevention instructional program.

1:00 pm / Remote 174: Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human Services will be continuing its public hearings on the Oregon Health Authority budget bill (HB 5024).

1:00 pm / Remote C: Senate Committee on Housing and Development will be holding a public hearing on SB 276, a bill that authorizes the Housing and Community Services Department to provide grants to eligible entities for providing financial assistance to persons in low income households for repair and rehabilitation of residences.

3:15 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee on Human Services, Mental Health and Recovery will be holding an initial public hearing on SB 280, a bill that modifies provisions relating to criminal records checks by the Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority. In addition, it will be holding possible work sessions on the following bills:
o  SB 86: Authorizes licensing agency to impose conditions on license to operate residential facility and to consider performance and experience of applicant or licensee in other states or jurisdictions.
o  SB 88: Corrects statutory cross-references to community developmental disabilities programs.
o  SB 89: Modifies definition of “developmental disabilities residential facility.”


WEDNESDAY — February 10, 2021

8:00 am / Remote C: House Committee on Behavioral Health will be holding an informational hearing on “Behavioral Health Impacts of COVID-19” with invited testimony from Mandy Davis, PhD, LCSW, Director, Trauma Informed Oregon. It will also be holding an initial public hearing on HB 3045, a bill that extends the sunset on the requirement that the Oregon Health Authority reimburse the cost of mental drugs in the medical assistance program. 

1:00 pm / Remote BSenate Committee on Health Care will hold an informational hearing with invited testimony only on the “Impact of COVID-19 Public Health Measures on Businesses.” It will also be holding a group of public hearings on bills related to telemedicine health services (SB 11, SB 423, SB 697). 

1:00 pm / Remote C: House Committee on Early Childhood will be holding an informational hearing with invited testimony on “Child Care Facilities Concept” with invited testimony from Dana Hepper, Children’s Institute, as well as a “Federal Funding Update” by the Early Learning Division. 

3:15 pm / Remote FHouse Committee on Human Services will be holding a public hearing on HB 2830, a bill that directs the University of Oregon to conduct a child abuse prevalence study and present the results of the legislature.

3:15 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee on Education will be holding work sessions on the following bills it had public hearings on last week:
o  SB 52: Directs Department of Education to develop and implement statewide education plan for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, intersex, asexual, nonbinary or another minority gender identity or gender orientation.
o  SB 53: Updates terminology and funding provisions related to special education programs provided on local, county or regional basis.
o  SB 55: Directs Office of School Facilities to administer statewide facilities assessment program.
o  SB 222: Directs Department of Education to provide reimbursements for vision screenings of students to persons that provide vision screenings.
The committee will also be holding public hearings on SB 227 (relating to ethnic studies standards) and SB 232 (relating to educator diversity). 

THURSDAY — February 11, 2021

8:00 am / Remote D: House Committee on Housing will be holding public hearings on the following bills:
o  HB 2427Requires landlords to accept uniform rental application submitted with uniform tenant screening report.
o  HB 2842: Establishes Healthy Homes Program within the Oregon Health Authority to provide grants to entities to provide financial assistance to low income households and landlords.

1:00 pm / Remote E: House Committee on Education will be holding a public hearing on HB 2835, a bill that requires each community college and public university to hire a benefits navigator to assist students in determining eligibility and applying for federal, state and local benefits programs.

3:15 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee Human Services, Mental Health and Recovery will be holding a possible work session on SB 280, relating to criminal records checks of individuals who provide care.


INTERESTED IN GIVING TESTIMONY AT A COMMITTEE HEARING? 

In order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, entry to the Oregon State Capitol is for authorized personnel only until further notice. The Oregon Legislative Assembly has established a process to accept remote verbal public testimony on bills by video or phone during this time, in addition to written public testimony.  For more information, see the helpful information posted on the Oregon Legislative Information System. 
It’s quick and easy to find out who your State Senator and State Representative are at www.oregonlegislature.gov
About the Oregon DD Coalition
The Oregon DD Coalition advocates for DD services on behalf of and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and support organizations in Oregon.

We influence DD service and community support systems and legislation by communicating with a common, consistent voice – creating better opportunities for Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Interested in signing up for the GO! Bulletin or
becoming a member of the Oregon DD Coalition?
 1775 32nd Place, Suite F, Salem OR 97301