July 18, 2025
Oregon’s 2025 Legislative Session started optimistically with the projected state budget and a record number of bills (more than 4,000 introduced), but shifted dramatically after the May Revenue forecast and looming federal cuts to Medicaid made funding new programs (and even sustaining some state agency budgets at current levels) almost impossible. A total of 704 bills (about 17%) passed through the Ways & Means committees’ logjams. The Oregon Pediatric Society’s legislative agenda got some wins (including banning rapid-fire gun devices and establishing protocols to deter healthcare workplace violence), and some big disappointments, especially around funding the state’s Vaccine Access Program and not restricting the sale of flavored tobacco. Here is a recap for some of the bills that had OPS engagement.
SIGNED by the Governor with OPS support
- SB 243: Focused on gun violence prevention and aligns with the updated OPS firearm injury prevention policy statement. OPS member Senator Lisa Reynolds was a chief sponsor, with multiple powerful OPS testimonies, including poignant personal stories from Diane Lucas, MD, PhD (Portland) and impassioned words from Andrea Bateman, MD (Bend).
- SB 537: Hospitals deter healthcare workplace violence. OPS testimony.
- SB 690: Housing protection for babies (Part of the “Momnibus” series of bills from Senator Reynolds).
- SB 692: Support for perinatal lactation consultants and doulas.
- HB 2010: Hospital provider tax for Oregon Medicaid program funding. However, the implementation of this bill will be substantially compromised under recent federal legislation.
- HB 2251: A bipartisan bell-to-bell cell-phone ban in schools, taking effect 1/1/26. The bill was defeated but enacted through Executive Order by the Governor. OPS testimony.
- HB 2741: Funding for the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Lab.
- HB 3007: Student concussion/brain injury accommodations. Debra Koutnik, MD testimony.
- HB 3134: Exemptions for health insurance prior authorization requirements, which create significant barriers to timely and necessary medical care for Oregon patients.
- HB 3365: Integrating climate education into school curricula.
- HB 3410/SB 957: Reduces the use of non-compete agreements for physicians. Sherri Alderman, MD, MPH and John Peoples, MD testimonies.
Youth Behavioral Health received $10 million from the General Fund to expand residential treatment and support services. The funding is intended to increase the capacity of residential programs by adding new psychiatric residential treatment facilities and substance abuse treatment beds, focusing on mandated populations as well as regional and cultural diversity.
BILLS THAT DID NOT PASS
Child Health & Safety
- SB 42: Vaccine Access Program financing, the #1 OPS session priority. Alanna Braun, MD, is OPS’ vaccination lead advocate; multiple OPS members provided testimonies and lobbying for this vital program. Without the funding for VAP, rural access to vaccines will get much more difficult.
- SB 203: Increasing Extreme Risk Protection Orders.
- SB 697: Must be age 21 to possess firearms, with certain exceptions.
- SB 702: Restricting the sale of flavored tobacco. Multiple OPS written and oral testimonies, including this from OHSU pediatric resident Brett Boyer, MD. Senator Reynolds and OPS Board President James Bishara, MD are leading champions.
- HB 2359: Delaying high school start time to 8:30am. OHSU professor and former American Academy of Pediatrics President Ben Hoffman, MD, gave testimony.
- HB 2529: Cardiac school emergency response.
- HB 3075: Funding for state ballot Measure 114 gun-violence prevention implementation. OPS Testimony.
- HB 3076: Firearm dealer licensing. Five OPS member testimonies, including Jennifer McCall, DO.
- HB 3435: Expanding universal school meals.
Strengthening Families
- SB 538: Paid family caregivers for medically complex kids. Bimpe Adewusi, MD and Katie Zuckerman, MD testified.
- SB 611: SNAP benefits regardless of immigration status. OPS member and OHSU resident Christina Nguyen, MD testimony.
- SB 694: Expand Oregon’s Child Tax Credit.
- HB 2958: Enhancing the Earned Income Tax Credit.
- HB 3008: Childcare workforce investments.
- HB 3650: Latino Health Act taskforce. Jaime Peterson, MD, MPH testimony.
Supporting Pediatric Care Sustainability and Providers
- SB 28: Primary Care Reimbursement.
- SB 609: Minimum reimbursement for primary care. Karen Heisler, MD testimony.
- SB 531: Funding the Oregon Wellness Program for healthcare providers.
For more information on each of these bills, go to the OLIS website and under the “Bills” tab, insert the full bill number.
