SB 1570
Requires hospitals to have policies and procedures in place that address how the hospital will respond if a law enforcement authority arrives at the hospital and to designate which areas of the hospital are not open to the public.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2026 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of Oregon Nurses Association)
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
97%
Oppose
3%
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires Oregon hospitals and federally qualified health centers to develop and implement policies and procedures for responding when law enforcement arrives. Hospitals must designate specific areas as off-limits to the public, including patient rooms. The bill also restricts hospitals from disclosing individually identifiable health information or information about a person’s citizenship or immigration status to law enforcement unless legally required or necessary for patient care. Furthermore, it protects employees who share information about immigration rights.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of the bill emphasize the importance of ensuring safe access to medical care for all individuals, particularly vulnerable populations such as victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence, child abuse, and trafficking who are immigrants. They express concern about the impact of federal policy changes allowing immigration enforcement actions in hospitals, which can lead to patients delaying treatment or avoiding emergency rooms due to fear of immigration consequences. Advocates believe that hospitals should be safe spaces where patients can receive care without fear of deportation or detention, and that clear labelling of private patient care areas and protections for patient privacy are crucial in creating a healing environment. They also emphasize the need for limits on enforcement activities and legislation that protects immigrant populations' welfare, dignity, and legal rights through safe access to healthcare, education, and other publicly available services.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of Senate Bill 1570 express significant concerns regarding its proposed amendments, citing the need for clarity and predictability in legislation affecting patient care, staffing, and compliance obligations. They argue that the bill's broad language creates unrealistic expectations for healthcare workers, diverts resources away from patient care, and opens doors to unintended consequences, including potential legal risks and waste of taxpayer dollars. Many also believe that the bill shifts responsibility away from federal authorities, making hospitals and caregivers vulnerable to liability and anxiety, while others worry about the bill's impact on access to healthcare in communities and its potential to infringe upon citizens' rights to make decisions about patient care and safety.
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