SALEM, OR — Last week, Commissioner Danielle Bethell testified on House Bill 4106, which would have provided a crucial tool for mental health services, helping navigate individuals in crisis to healthcare facilities without resorting to jail and giving peace officers the support to be successful in transporting them.
The bill was not advanced by House Judiciary Committee Chair Representative Jason Kropf, despite bipartisan sponsorship and support, leaving law enforcement without the tools they need and vulnerable populations without critical support in crisis. Chair Kropf chose to not move the bill forward, instead asking Representative Tom Andersen, one of the bill’s sponsors, to work on it and bring it back next session.
“It’s unfortunate to see our legislators fail to be responsive to the very real needs of our community,” said Commissioner Danielle Bethell. “This bill would have filled a crucial gap in the process of law right now that prohibits us from doing the best we can to take care of vulnerable individuals experiencing mental health crises.
“We have been working on this bill for multiple sessions and have received little to no cooperation from Representative Kropf. This is a massive failure of the Legislature to support some of the most vulnerable in our community.”
Without HB 4106, counties must continue to rely on law enforcement and jail settings for individuals who would be better served in clinical environments. The county will be unable to pursue a new solution through legislation until the 2027 long legislative session.
