Oregon Beach News, Monday 2/12 – Lincoln County Senator Calls On Oregon Lawmakers To Reduce Congestion And Improve Safety On Hwy 101 & Other Local and Statewide News…

Oregon Lawmakers Consider New Protections for People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities

Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill that would prevent the government from forcefully committing people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Right now, a court can hold someone with one of these designations in a facility if it finds they pose a threat or can’t care for themselves. That includes 16 people currently, according to the most recent state data.

At a hearing in the Oregon Senate’s Human Services Committee Wednesday, officials testified that this statute likely violates Medicare guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Portland attorney Chris O’Connor told lawmakers he believes it also has questionable constitutionality.

“While normally your state and federal Constitution protects you from being arrested, seized and searched on the street—taken out of your life—unless there’s probable cause of a crime,” said O’Connor. “Oregon has created an elaborate bureaucratic framework over the decades to bypass those constitutional protections.”

Anna Lansky is the interim director of the state Office of Developmental Disability Services. She said the law is a relic of how the state used to segregate these groups for care.

“Since then, we have closed all of our institutions,” said Lansky. “And we have committed to providing fully home and community-based services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with the goal of fully integrating them into their communities.”

Lansky said if the statute was gone, the 16 individuals held under it currently would still have access to the same services on a voluntary basis.

However, Channa Newell with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said it opposes a repeal until there’s an alternative in place, raising concerns that a premature repeal could result in tragedy.

“In our line of work, we encounter the rare situations where a person experiencing [Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities] demonstrates dangerous behavior that puts themselves or others in harm’s way,” said Newell. “And in those circumstances, a civil commitment…may be the only option for keeping that person and those around them safe.”

If approved by the legislature and signed into law, Senate Bill 1522 would go into effect July 2025.

Also included in the bill is language that would prevent government mental health services from turning away patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Gabrielle Guedon is the Executive Director of the Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition. On Wednesday, she testified that psychiatry and therapy can help people like herself thrive, but said they sometimes have to go to an emergency room just to find support.

“We get rejected from programs on a regular basis,” she said. “They say they don’t understand us or it’s not the right fit for them. If we can find that therapist, sometimes they’ll go behind our backs and talk to our caregivers, our family, our parents. We are adults.”

In Oregon, a standard intellectual disability designation includes an IQ of 70 or below, alongside impairment to independent function that emerges before adulthood. A developmental disability is when a condition such as autism or epilepsy leads to similar behaviors and needs for support.

The bill would prohibit public bodies from denying treatment for mental illness on these grounds.

“Because they read that diagnosis, they’re gonna they look at us differently,” said Guedon. “And we’re not any different. We’re just like everyone else. We have mental health, we get sick. We fall, we get up.”

Senate Bill 1522 is scheduled for a potential vote in the Oregon Senate’s Human Services Committee on Monday, Feb. 12. If the committee approves it, the measure would be sent to the legislative budget committee due to its potential fiscal impact. (SOURCE)

Central Oregon Resident Diagnosed With Plague

A Central Oregon resident has been confirmed to have a case of the plague, Deschutes County announced Wednesday. It’s the first reported case in Oregon in nearly a decade.

It’s believed the person, identified only as a “local resident,” was infected by their cat.

“All close contacts of the resident and their pet have been contacted and provided medication to prevent illness,” Deschutes County Health Officer Dr. Richard Fawcett said in a statement.

No other cases have been identified. The county said the case was diagnosed and treated early, posing little risk to the community.

The plague spreads to humans or animals through a bite from an infected flea or by contact with an animal sick with the disease, the County said. The most common animals to carry plague in Central Oregon are squirrels and chipmunks, but mice and other rodents can also carry the disease.

Symptoms of plague usually begin in humans two to eight days after exposure to an infected animal or flea, the county said. These symptoms may include a sudden onset of fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches, and/or visibly swollen lymph nodes called buboes.

If not diagnosed early, the plague can infect the bloodstream or lungs, making it more severe and difficult to treat, the county said.

Tips from the county to prevent the spread of plague:

• Avoid all contact with rodents and their fleas. Never touch sick, injured, or dead rodents.
• Keep pets on a leash when outdoors and protect them with flea control products. Do not allow pets to approach sick or dead rodents or explore rodent burrows.
• Pet cats are highly susceptible to plague, and infected cats can transmit the bacterium to humans. If possible, discourage their hunting of rodents. Consult a veterinarian immediately if your cat becomes sick after being in contact with rodents.
• Residents should keep wild rodents out of homes and remove food, woodpiles, and other attractants for rodents around homes and outbuildings.
• Do not camp, sleep, or rest near animal burrows or areas where dead rodents are observed.
• Refrain from feeding squirrels, chipmunks, or other wild rodents in campgrounds and picnic areas. Store food and refuse in rodent-proof containers.
• Wear long pants tucked into boot tops to reduce exposure to fleas. Apply insect repellent to socks and trouser cuffs to help reduce exposure to fleas.

The last known case in Oregon was in 2015, the county said, citing the Oregon Health Authority. (SOURCE)

Governor Kotek Launches Housing Production Bill with Broad Coalition of Supporters

Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced a broad coalition supporting her housing production bill, which is building momentum in the 2024 legislative session. Senate Bill 1537 received its first hearing this morning before the Senate Committee On Housing and Development. The coalition includes workers, business, community-specific organizations, housing providers, tenants, advocates and more, listed below.

“This coalition has spoken loud and clear: the status quo is not working for Oregon families, workers, employers, and households that are struggling with housing insecurity,” Governor Kotek said. “I commend Senate President Rob Wagner, Senator Kayse Jama, and all of the housing champions in the legislature for taking this issue head on, and I am resolved to see progress for Oregonians this session.”

The Governor testified in favor of Senate Bill 1537 on Thursday, emphasizing the urgent need to increase housing supply, affordability and climate incentives. More than 150 stakeholders submitted testimony in support of the bill, citing specific benefits of the measure to housing providers, tenants, workers, underserved communities and more.

“Workforce housing is in short supply, and rent prices are untenable for our workers; many of whom can’t afford the basics like food and gas after paying rent,” said Melissa Unger, Executive Director of SEIU Local 503. “We are looking to state leaders to ensure that all Oregon families have access to a place they can call home without having to put in jeopardy their ability to pay for food, childcare, health care, etc. Senate Bill 1537 is a critical step to making that possible.”

“Our members have been telling us for years that one of their top workforce challenges is the lack of supply and exorbitant cost of workforce housing,” said Scott Bruun, VP of Government Affairs at Oregon Business and Industry. “Housing supplies are insufficient at every level, including middle-market workforce housing. This problem not only hurts employees or potential employees in Oregon, it also hurts the employers who cannot attract or retain the workers they need. Simply put, our workforce housing crisis hurts the competitiveness and severely hamstrings the potential growth and success of Oregon businesses. SB 1537 gets at the core of this problem.”

“We believe this bill takes important steps to address Oregon’s longstanding housing production shortfall,” said Cameron Herrington of the Oregon Housing Alliance. “High rates of homelessness, as suffered by some 18,000 Oregonians, result from high rents and low rental vacancies. Both of those factors are largely attributable to an under-supply of housing.”

“It is time to take the housing crisis seriously and act accordingly,” said Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda CDC. “This bill will generate opportunities for housing and prosperity for all Oregonians. We need all types of housing for every stage of life for every family. Senate Bill 1537 will pave the way.”

More details on the bill can be found here. (SOURCE)

AAA Study Finds Much Greater Deadly Roadside Danger Faced By Emergency Responders Than Reported

Emergency responders who help stranded drivers on the side of the road are struck and killed nearly four times more than reported. A new study by the AAA Foundation for Safety reveals a disturbing picture of the dangers of helping stranded drivers.

AAA Foundation researchers combed through the data and uncovered 123 roadside assistance providers killed in the U.S. by passing vehicles between 2015 and 2021, nearly four times the approximate 34 killed listed in national crash data. The discrepancy is due to inconsistent reporting in states and jurisdictions, including times when some roadside workers are identified as “pedestrians.”

The research also notes that while yearly total traffic fatalities increased significantly over the study period, the data suggest that roadside assistance provider fatalities increased even more.

Here are the report summary and full report.

AAA and other traffic safety advocates have helped get Slow Down Move Over laws passed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. However, driver awareness and compliance are inconsistent. With highway speeds often 65 mph or more, drivers may find it difficult to spot and react to incident response personnel, including tow truck drivers, police, and emergency responders.

In Oregon, drivers must move over to another lane or slow down at least five miles per hour below the posted speed limit when approaching first responders (police fire, and ambulance), tow trucks, municipal and road maintenance vehicles, utility vehicles, as well as any vehicle that is stopped and is displaying warning or hazard lights, or a person is indicating distress by using emergency flares or posting emergency signs. The fine for a violation is $265 or $525 if within a safety corridor, school zone or work zone. (ORS 811.147) https://www.oregon.gov/odot/safety/pages/enforcement.aspx (SOURCE)

El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon aumento el contenido de su Sitio Web en Espanol el 23 de enero.

(Salem) – El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon ha ampliado el contenido y los recursos disponibles en su sitio web en español. A partir del 23 de enero, las personas que visitan el sitio web de ODHS en español ahora pueden ver 65 páginas transcreadas adicionales para un total de 110 páginas. Transcreado significa que el contenido de estas páginas fue traducido por personal de habla hispana en lugar del traductor de Google, como ofrecen la mayoría de los sitios web para la traducción de idiomas.

A continuación se encuentran algunos aspectos a destacar del sitio web:

• Las personas pueden encontrar el sitio web en español haciendo clic en “Sitio en Español” en la parte superior derecha del sitio web principal o escribiendo servicioshumanos.oregon.gov en su navegador.
• El sitio web incluye una navegación y una barra de búsqueda más completas para que las personas encuentren lo que necesitan más rápido.
• Las personas pueden navegar fácilmente entre las versiones en Español y en Inglés de las páginas transcreadas haciendo clic en el botón “Español” o “English” debajo del encabezado de las páginas.
• Las personas que hablan otros idiomas pueden usar el botón “Languages” en la parte superior derecha del sitio web de ODHS para ver una versión traducida por Google del sitio web de ODHS en 10 diferentes idiomas.

Además, las personas ahora pueden utilizar la función del Buscador de Oficinas en español, lo que facilita no solo la búsqueda de oficinas locales, sino también información importante como servicios específicos y mensajes sobre cierres de oficinas.

Estas nuevas páginas brindan a comunidades de habla hispana que buscan servicios y recursos, así como al personal y socios que los apoyan, prácticamente el mismo nivel de información que está disponible actualmente en el sitio web principal de ODHS.

Newly expanded Oregon Department of Human Services Spanish website launched January 23

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human services has expanded the content and resources available on its Spanish website. As of Jan. 23, people visiting the Spanish website can now access an additional 65 transcreated pages for a total of 110 pages. Transcreated means the content on these pages was translated by a native Spanish speaker instead of Google translate, as most websites offer for language translation.

Here are some highlights on the Spanish website:

• People can access this Spanish website by selecting “Sitio en Español” on the top right side of the main website’s banner or by typing servicioshumanos.oregon.gov on their browser.
• This expansion includes a more robust navigation and search bar allowing people to find what they need faster.
• People can navigate easily from Spanish to English versions of the transcreated pages by clicking the “Español” or “English” button under the header of the pages.
• People that speak other languages can use the “Languages” button on the upper right of the ODHS website to get a google translated version of the ODHS website in 10 different languages.

Additionally, people are now able to use the Office Finder feature on the Spanish site, making it easier not only to find local offices, but also important information like specific services and messages on office closures.

These additional pages provide Spanish speaking communities seeking services and resources, as well as staff and partners that support them, with virtually the same level of information that is currently available on the ODHS main website.

Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest Underway

The front cover of the 2023-2024 Oregon Blue Book showcases a hillside covered in beautiful balsam root and lupine flowers at Rowena Crest, captured by Oregon photographer Micah Lundsted of Eugene. The book’s back cover shows an image of three rockfish made at the Oregon Coast Aquarium by Dale George of Grants Pass.

Which images will cover the 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book? The Oregon Blue Book cover photo contest kicks off today, giving amateur photographers the chance to submit their photos to answer that question. Photo contest winners will be selected in October 2024 by Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade.

“Choosing the cover photos for the Oregon Blue Book is an honor,” said Secretary Griffin-Valade. “The images are a chance to see our beautiful state through the lens of the many talented amateur photographers who live in Oregon.”

The contest is open to Oregon residents of any age who earn less than half their income from photography. Images must be Oregon related and should be submitted in the portrait, rather than landscape, orientation. Two images will be selected for the cover: one for the front and one for the back. Visit the Oregon Blue Book Photo Contest guidelines for more information: https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/about-conte…

Images can be submitted through the Oregon Blue Book website portal or via U.S. mail. The deadline to submit photos for consideration is October 27, 2024. Contact the Oregon Blue Book Managing Editor at Oregon.Bluebook@sos.oregon.gov with questions or for additional information.

DETAILS

What: 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest
Who: Amateur photographers who live in Oregon
When: February 7, 2024-October 27, 2024
Where: Submit online or through U.S. Mail
Why: Photo on the cover of the 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book