SB 1547
Authorizes the Oregon Board of Psychology to issue a license to practice behavioral health promotion, prevention and brief intervention to a qualified applicant.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2026 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of Senate Interim Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health for The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health at the University of Oregon)
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
93%
Oppose
7%
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
Senate Bill 1547 creates a new licensing pathway for professionals who provide behavioral health promotion, prevention, and brief intervention services in Oregon. The Oregon Board of Psychology will be responsible for issuing these licenses to qualified applicants. This bill establishes a specific definition for these services and creates a client privilege for communications between practitioners and clients, while also requiring reporting of certain types of abuse.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Senate Interim Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health for The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health at the University of Oregon
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of Senate Bill 1547 emphasize the urgent need for improved access to behavioral health services for children and families, citing underinvestment, limited resources, and systemic barriers as major obstacles. They highlight the importance of establishing a new category of licensed practitioners to provide prevention-oriented services, reducing wait times for families seeking early intervention for children's behavioral health concerns. The proposal is grounded in operational reality and has garnered support from various stakeholders, including the Ballmer Institute, NAMI Oregon, and the Board of Psychology, who recognize its potential to improve quality of care and address critical gaps in the state's child and adolescent behavioral health system.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of SB1547 argue that the bill's proposed professional licensing regime would create significant barriers for out-of-state behavioral health and wellness practitioners, potentially limiting access to care for Oregonians. They contend that the stringent requirements would drive up costs and reduce the number of available providers, exacerbating existing healthcare disparities. Additionally, critics point out that the bill's scope could lead to unintended consequences, such as driving qualified professionals out of state or forcing them to obtain multiple licenses, thereby increasing administrative burdens and costs for practitioners.
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