72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 3545
 
                         Senate Bill 886
 
Sponsored by Senator SHIELDS; Senators ATKINSON, BURDICK, CARTER,
  CLARNO, FISHER, GORDLY, METSGER, MINNIS, MORRISETTE, MORSE, B
  STARR, C STARR, WALKER
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Directs Department of Human Services to establish at least one
pilot program integrating faith-based and community organizations
into provision of human services by department.
  Sunsets January 2, 2006.
  Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2003.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to human services; and declaring an emergency.
  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 Advocates
Volunteer Program and achieve positive outcomes at a greater rate
than clients without that benefit; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  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 include faith-based and community organizations in the
integrated effort to assist human services clients who may be
affiliated with the 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 as part of the
individual service plan developed by the department for the
client. A client is not required to give any information about
the client's faith and the client's faith may not adversely
impact the client's eligibility for services.
  (3) In collaboration with faith-based and community
organizations, the department shall establish procedures for:
  (a) Coordinating services provided by faith-based and community
organizations in individual service plans; and
  (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. The training must include
instruction about the issues of poverty and its impact on
families and individuals. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) The Department of Human Services shall
conduct the pilot program established in 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 in 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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