Senate Bill 1521 would close a loophole in Oregon law that’s allowed unlicensed providers to supervise and harm foster kids while they’re in hotels and short-term rentals. (Getty Images)
A state senator is pushing to close a loophole in state law and require providers supervising foster children in hotel rooms or short-term rentals to follow the same rules as other care providers.
Under Oregon Department of Human Services rules, licensed child-caring agencies must follow a long list of requirements that includes their governing, record keeping, training and procedures for complaints and reports of abuse. It also mandates background checks, defines abuse, details allowed and prohibited discipline and restraints and covers procedures for handling complaints and abuse reports.
DHS officials say the current law allows unlicensed providers to supervise children in temporary lodging, which child welfare advocates say puts those kids at risk. Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, D-Corvallis and chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services, introduced Senate Bill 1521 to end the practice and require supervising providers to be licensed.