Oregon passes bill to increase support for survivors of child abuse, domestic violence
Oregon lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday that would increase support and stabilize funding for survivors of child abuse and domestic and sexual violence.
House Bill 4140 directs the Department of Justice to include in its future budget requests the funds to support Children's Advocacy Centers, the Survivor Housing Funds grant program and the Oregon Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.
"Programs that support survivors and victims of child abuse and domestic and sexual violence must have stable and reliable funding if they are to continue to provide high-quality services for some of our most vulnerable community members," said Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, who introduced HB4140 and chairs the House Judiciary Committee.
Under the bill, children's advocacy center directors will also be required to submit a biennial report to the Department of Justice that details projected costs and estimates of other funding sources for the center.
SB4140 passed in the House on Monday by a 52-8 vote. On Wednesday, the bill passed in the Senate 26-3.
According to the Senate Majority Office, the Legislature is also considering one-time appropriations to support survivors.
"It is critically important that the Legislature supports Oregon's child advocacy centers so they can meet escalating behavioral health need and evidence-based interventions for children who experience abuse and victims of human trafficking," said bill co-sponsor Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, in a statement.
The bill has yet to be signed into law by Gov. Tina Kotek and will go into effect once it is signed.
Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon bill to aid abuse survivors headed to Kotek's desk
