72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
 
SA to SB 886
 
LC 3545/SB 886-2
 
                      SENATE AMENDMENTS TO
                         SENATE BILL 886
 
                  By COMMITTEE ON HEALTH POLICY
 
                              May 9
 
  On page 1 of the printed bill, delete lines 3 through 23 and
insert:
  ' Whereas the State of Oregon faces substantial fiscal
difficulties now and for the foreseeable future; and
  ' Whereas in this recessionary period the need for human
services is as great as ever and continues to grow rapidly; and
  ' Whereas during recent years, the Department of Human Services
has undergone a major reorganization emphasizing the integration
of the human services delivery system; and
  ' Whereas since the Legislative Assembly adopted Senate Joint
Resolution 25 (1999), the State of Oregon has engaged in dialogue
with a diverse group of individuals representing as many
faith-based and community organizations as possible; and
  ' Whereas the Oregon Law Commission has been reviewing the
constitutional issues raised by the charitable choice clause of
the Welfare Reform Act of 1996; and
  ' Whereas faith-based and community organizations have within
their memberships or constituencies significant numbers of people
receiving assistance through the Department of Human Services,
but many community leaders are unaware of the extent of the human
services needs within their constituencies; and
  ' Whereas faith-based and community organizations care deeply
about issues of poverty, health care, education and more, and
wish to reduce suffering among community members; and
  ' Whereas clients of the human services and criminal justice
systems benefit from the work of small nonprofit mentoring groups
and groups such as the Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer
Program and achieve positive outcomes at a greater rate than
clients without that benefit; and
  ' Whereas the Department of Human Services recognizes the
benefit from the work of small nonprofit mentoring groups and
groups such as the Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer
Program, the department does not take a position on any belief
system or view of any faith-based or community organization; now,
therefore,'.
  Delete lines 25 through 30 and delete page 2 and insert:
  '  { +  SECTION 1. + }  { + (1) On or before January 1, 2004,
the Department of Human Services shall establish a pilot program
in at least one service delivery area. The purpose of the program
is to provide an opportunity for human services clients to access
faith-based or community organizations taking part in the effort
to assist clients who are affiliated with those organizations.
  ' (2) The department shall develop procedures and training to
assist staff in identifying clients who have an existing
affiliation with a faith-based or community organization and who
have an interest in working with the organization to supplement
the services provided by the department.
  ' (3)(a) A client is not required to:
  ' (A) Participate with a faith-based or community organization;
or
  ' (B) Give any information about the client's affiliation with
a faith-based or community organization.
  ' (b) A client may withdraw from or terminate the client's
participation with a faith-based or community organization at any
time.
  ' (4) The client's affiliation with a faith-based or community
organization may not adversely impact the client's eligibility
for department services. The department may not require a client
to participate in the activities or services of a faith-based or
community organization identified under subsection (2) of this
section.
  ' (5) In collaboration with faith-based and community
organizations, the department shall establish procedures for:
  ' (a) Assisting an interested client in contacting a
faith-based or community organization with whom the client is
affiliated and communicating the needs of the client to the
organization.
  ' (b) Providing training to representatives of faith-based and
community organizations about public assistance and service
programs that the department and department contractors provide
to families and individuals and about opportunities for human
services volunteerism. The training may include instruction about
the issues of poverty, domestic violence, child abuse and sexual
assault and the impact of these issues on families and
individuals that the department determines is necessary.
  ' (c) Providing notice to a client of the client's rights under
this section.
  ' (6) The department may not initiate any volunteer activities
of faith-based or community organizations to assist human
services clients as described in subsection (5)(a) of this 2003
Act.
  ' (7) The department shall terminate or withdraw from a
relationship with a faith-based or community organization when:
  ' (a) Requested by a client; or
  ' (b) The activities or services provided by the faith-based or
community organization are inconsistent with the goals and
procedures of the department or impede the ability of the
department to effectively provide services.
  ' (8) This section does not create a new entitlement to
services. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 2. + }  { + (1) The Department of Human
Services shall conduct the pilot program established pursuant to
section 1 of this 2003 Act within the department's legislatively
approved budget. The department may accept contributions of funds
and assistance consistent with the purposes of the pilot program.
  ' (2) The department shall report to the Seventy-third
Legislative Assembly on the pilot program established pursuant to
section 1 of this 2003 Act. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 3. + }  { + Sections 1 and 2 of this 2003 Act
are repealed on January 2, 2006. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 4. + }  { + This 2003 Act being necessary for
the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and
safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2003 Act
takes effect July 1, 2003. + } ' .
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