Legislative Briefs
Bill Headline: Providing free feminine hygiene products
Bill Number: House Bill 3020
What it does: This bill would require school districts to make menstrual products available, free of charge, in at least 50 percent of bathrooms in schools that provide services to grades 7 through 12.
What’s new: OSBA generally supports bills that benefit the health and safety of students. However, a Fiscal Impact Statement has not yet been issued, and the bill would likely cost school districts money. Several bills are being considered this session that propose mandates about the provision of hygiene products by selected public agencies, free of charge (HB 3020, HB 2350, HB 2768, HB 2515 and SB 822). OSBA will monitor the bill.
What’s next: A public hearing and possible work session is scheduled for Monday, April 1.
Bill Headline: Sexual harassment reporting
Bill Number: House Bill 3077
What it does: In 1997, the Legislature passed statutes creating policies for sexual harassment reporting and investigation in Oregon's schools. The 2018 Oregon Healthy Teens Survey found that 7 percent of Oregon eighth-graders and 6 percent of Oregon 11th-graders reported experiencing unwanted sexual comments or attention in the 30 days prior to the administration of the survey, and 19 percent of 11th-graders report having experienced sexual coercion at some point in their lives. HB 3077 would clarify the definition of harassment, modify aspects of the reporting and investigation process, and would require school districts to modify policies around reporting and investigation of alleged incidents of harassment.
The committee was asked to consider the -1 amendments. The -1s were requested by the bill sponsors, at the request of OSBA, and intend to make the goals of the bill operational at the school district level.
What’s new: A public hearing was held on Friday, March 29. At that hearing OSBA testified in support of the bill, as modified by the -1s. There was strong support for, and no opposition to, the measure.
What’s next: The bill is scheduled for a work session Monday, April 8, and will likely be endorsed by the committee.
Bill Headline: Abuse prevention instructional program
Bill Number: Senate Bill 786
What it does: In response to a significate increase in child sexual abuse cases, legislation was passed in 2015 that required school district boards to adopt a child sexual abuse prevention instructional program for students in kindergarten through grade 12. This legislation mimics “Erin’s law,” which advocates for schools to implement a prevention-oriented program that teaches students age-appropriate techniques to recognize and report sexual abuse; provides training to administrators, teachers and other school personnel about sexual abuse; and informs parents about child sexual abuse topics. SB 786 would require school districts to include sex trafficking of children in their current child sexual abuse prevention instructional program by July 1, 2020.
What’s new: Sen. Tim Knopp (R-Bend), chief proponent of Erin’s law in 2015, is the chief sponsor of this bill. OSBA will monitor the bill and has been in favor of similar bills in the past.
What’s next: A public hearing and possible work session is scheduled for Monday, April 1.