Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon SB1579: Relating to false reports of child abuse; prescribing an effective date.
Status: Failed, March 6, 2026
Digest: The Act increases the penalty for making a false report of child abuse. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.4). Modifies the offense of making a false report of child abuse. Punishes a first offense by a maximum of six months' imprisonment, $2,500 fine, or both. Punishes a second offense by a maximum of 364 days' imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Punishes a third or subsequent offense by a maximum of five years' imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to false reports of child abuse; creating new provisions; amending ORS 419B.016; and prescribing an effective date.
From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:
A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to false reports of child abuse; creating new provisions; amending ORS 419B.016; and prescribing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. ORS 419B.016 is amended to read: 419B.016. (1) As used in this section, "child abuse" means "abuse" as defined in ORS 419B.005. [(1)] (2) A person commits the [offense] crime of making a false report of child abuse if, with the intent to influence a custody, parenting time, visitation or child support decision, the person: (a) Makes a false report of child abuse to the Department of Human Services or a law enforcement agency, knowing that the report is false; or (b) With the intent that a public or private official make a report of child abuse to the Department of Human Services or a law enforcement agency, makes a false report of child abuse to the public or private official, knowing that the report is false. [(2) Making a false report of child abuse is a Class A violation.] (3)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection, making a false report of child abuse is a Class B misdemeanor. (b) Making a false report of child abuse is a Class A misdemeanor if the person has one prior conviction …
Sponsors
- Lona Thatcher (R, 11) · primary sponsor
- Manning Jr., James (D, 7) · primary sponsor
- Court Boice (R, 1) · primary sponsor
- Floyd Prozanski (D, 4)
- Bunch, Matt (R, 51)
- Darin Harbick (R, 12)
- Barbara Levy (R, 58)
- Anna Scharf (R, 23)
- Gregory Smith (R, 57)
- Dwayne Yunker (R, 3)
- David Smith (R, 1)
- Cedric Hayden (R, 6)
Latest actions
- : In committee upon adjournment.
- : Referred to Rules.
- : First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
- : Third reading. Carried by Thatcher. Passed.
- : Second reading.
- : Recommendation: Do pass.
- : Work Session held.
- : Public Hearing held.
- : Referred to Judiciary.
- : Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
Votes
- Third reading. Carried by Thatcher. Passed. (February 20, 2026): 26 yea, 1 nay, passed
- SJUD Committee Vote (February 16, 2026): 5 yea, 1 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB1579?
- SB1579 is a bill in the Oregon Legislature (2026 Legislative Measures): Relating to false reports of child abuse; prescribing an effective date.
- What does SB1579 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to false reports of child abuse; creating new provisions; amending ORS 419B.016; and prescribing an effective date.
- What is the status of SB1579?
- Failed as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: In committee upon adjournment. (March 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB1579?
- Lona Thatcher (R, 11), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB1579?
- On the Oregon Legislature website: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/1579
Source: official Oregon record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.