OR SB142

Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) must establish scholarship programs for individuals from priority populations enrolled in behavioral health care training programs at post-secondary institutions, covering tuition, fees, and training costs with no service obligation required

HECC must award competitive grants to universities, community colleges, workforce service providers, and community-based organizations to address barriers to behavioral health training program expansion, including faculty hiring, curricula development, clinical placement capacity, and wraparound services

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) must award grants to certified behavioral health care entities to support provider recruitment and retention through loan forgiveness incentives, housing assistance, professional development, child care subsidies, and clinical supervision

OHA and the Office of Rural Health may enter into an intergovernmental agreement to provide loan forgiveness and loan repayment grants to behavioral health care providers identified as critical workforce shortage providers, requiring a minimum two-year service obligation

Total General Fund appropriation of $48,449,978 for the 2025-2027 biennium: $25.7 million to HECC and $22.75 million to OHA, with annual reporting to the legislature required by June 30 each year; effective July 1, 2025 as an emergency measure