Oregon · Senate Bill 944 · 2025 Regular Session

Modifies independent living requirements for older foster children.

SB 944 Sponsored by Senate Committee On Human Services Became law

  1. Introduced Jan 28, 2025
  2. In committee Jan 28, 2025
  3. Passed the Senate Apr 1, 2025
  4. Passed the House Jun 3, 2025
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law Jun 11, 2025

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

The Act removes a requirement that an older foster child must pay rent if living alone. The Act allows DHS to exempt certain older foster children from having to have a criminal background check. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.1). Modifies independent living requirements for older foster children. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to exempt an individual placed in a household by the department before the individual turned 18 from applicable background check requirements after the individual attains 18 years of age.

Every action

23 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 15 earlier steps
  1. SenateIntroduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
  2. CommitteeReferred to Human Services. · Senate Human Services
  3. CommitteePublic Hearing held. · Senate Human Services
  4. CommitteeWork Session held. · Senate Human Services
  5. CommitteeRecommendation: Do pass. · Senate Human Services
  6. SenateSecond reading.
  7. SenateCarried over to 04-01 by unanimous consent.
  8. SenateThird reading. Carried by Linthicum. Passed.26–0 vote
  9. HouseFirst reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
  10. CommitteeReferred to Early Childhood and Human Services. · House Early Childhood and Human Services
  11. CommitteePublic Hearing held. · House Early Childhood and Human Services
  12. CommitteeWork Session held. · House Early Childhood and Human Services
  13. CommitteeRecommendation: Do pass. · House Early Childhood and Human Services
  14. HouseSecond reading.
  15. HouseRules suspended. Carried over to May 29, 2025 Calendar.
  1. HouseRules suspended. Carried over to June 2, 2025 Calendar.
  2. HouseRules suspended. Carried over to June 3, 2025 Calendar.
  3. HouseThird reading. Carried by Scharf. Passed.52–0 vote
  4. SenatePresident signed.
  5. HouseSpeaker signed.
  6. GovernorGovernor signed.
  7. SenateChapter 317, 2025 Laws.
  8. SenateEffective date, January 1, 2026.

Roll calls

4 recorded votes: 2 on the floor, 2 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Third reading. Carried by Linthicum. Passed. · Full Senate

Passed 26–0
Apr 1, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 26 No 0 Not voting 4
Democrats: 16 yes, 0 no Republicans: 10 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 26

Excused · 4

Third reading. Carried by Scharf. Passed. · Full House

Passed 52–0
Jun 3, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 52 No 0 Not voting 7
Democrats: 33 yes, 0 no Republicans: 19 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 52

Excused · 7

Committee and other votes

DateWhereQuestionResult
Mar 20, 2025 Senate Human Services Recommendation: Do pass.
Members

Yes · 5

 5–0
May 20, 2025 House Early Childhood and Human Services Recommendation: Do pass.
Members

Yes · 9

 9–0

Sponsors

The 0 members who introduced it.

  • SC Senate Committee On Human Services Sponsoring committee

From Oregon's official records (api.oregonlegislature.gov), checked Nov 13, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.