Bill Protecting Vulnerable Citizens During an Emergency Passes Oregon Senate

Legislation designed to ensure protection of residents and children in event of imminent danger.

Photo: Tim King

(SALEM) - The Oregon Senate today passed House Bill 2371, legislation that will require health and child care facilities to develop emergency plans for the people they serve when there is threat of imminent danger.

The legislation comes from the Joint Emergency Preparedness Committee, co-chaired by Senator Joanne Verger (D-District 5).

“Everyone across the country has learned valuable lessons from hurricane Katrina,” said Senator Verger. “This legislation shows that we will not let our most vulnerable suffer during a natural disaster.”

House Bill 2371 requires adult foster care, residential and child health care facilities to develop safety plans for persons receiving care at the facility.

The legislation also requires the training of all of the staff so they understand and can execute plans developed by the facility.

While many facilities already have safety plans in place, House Bill 2371 ensures that all facility plans address the protection of the resident in the case of imminent danger where relocation of the resident is required.

“It is our fundamental responsibility to protect the most vulnerable people during a time of crisis,” said Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown (D-Portland). “This bill makes sure we take of those who need the most help in a time of crisis.”

Passage of House Bill 2371 is part of the Senate Democratic Agenda to increase readiness to confront a natural disaster by upgrading emergency plans.

House Bill 2371 will now move to the Governor for his signature.