Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures

Oregon HB4059: Relating to child abuse; declaring an emergency.

Status: Failed, March 6, 2026

Digest: The Act changes what "abuse" means when talking about hurting a child. It says that DHS can only look into some reports of child abuse. It also makes a rule for how certain reports of child abuse are resolved. It is an emergency law and starts right away. (Flesch Readability Score: 76.5). [ Digest: The Act changes what "threatened harm" means when talking about hurting a child. It says that DHS can only look into some reports of child abuse. It also makes a rule for how certain reports of child abuse are resolved. It is an emergency law and starts right away. (Flesch Readability Score: 78.7). ] Modifies the definition of [ "threatened harm" ] "abuse" for purposes of determining whether a child has been abused. Limits the investigative jurisdiction of the Department of Human Services to investigate certain reports of child abuse. Prohibits making findings in abuse investigations where the alleged perpetrator was a minor at the time of the alleged abuse. Creates exceptions. [ Creates a statutory substantiation standard for certain reports of alleged child abuse. ] Increases the standard of proof necessary for reporting certain abuse investigation findings to the central state registry. Directs the department to monitor implementation of new child abuse investigation processes and report back to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly relating to human services. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.