2011

Oregon Women's Health

And Wellness Alliance

Funding Priorities:

1. Preserve funding for Domestic Violence Services, Employment

Related Daycare and Temporary Assistance Needy Families
Due to the budget situation we are up against this session, we feel it is important to
highlight the preservation of some vital services that vulnerable populations rely on for
survival. Included in these services is support for victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault and the funding for these vital services in the DOJ and DHS budgets, funding for
the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and funding to support
working parents through the state’s Employment Related Daycare (ERCD) program.

2. Preserve funding for Oregon’s Advocacy Commissions

In these tough times, funding for these commissions is at risk for cuts or elimination. The
advocacy commissions do significant and important work. Our support will play a pivotal
role in their preservation.

Economic

3. Work and Family Task Force - Bill # TBA

In an effort to broaden the conversation about work and family policy we will be
introducing a Work and Family Task Force bill to look at the bigger picture of
workplace/family policy, incorporating the needs and concerns of businesses and other
stakeholders. We also hope to engage the Governor in this issue as a long term policy goal.
(Rep. Dembrow, Sen. Rosenbaum, Family Forward Oregon)

4. Expression of milk in the workplace – HB 2038

Conforming expression of milk in the workplace protections to Federal Law; this bill
amends existing state law to conform to new federal law as it relates to covered employers,
the frequency and timing of the protected rest periods, and undue hardship exemptions.
The OWHWA helped pass the original version of this bill in 2007 which was then used as a
model for the Federal law. (Bureau of Labor and Industries)
 Health

5. Oregon Breast and Cervical Cancer Program – SB 433

This bill will expand the eligibility for women for treatment of breast and cervical cancer if
they are diagnosed through a health care provider outside of the Oregon Breast and
Cervical Cancer Program (OBCCP). The federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and
Treatment Act of 2000 allows states to provide presumptive Medicaid eligibility to women
diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer and, as a result, access to federally-funded life-
saving medical treatment. Currently, DHS policy allows only women who are diagnosed
through an OBCCP provider to obtain treatment for their breast or cervical cancer. There
are additional women who meet the income and age requirements of this program, but if
they are diagnosed through a non-OBCCP provider, are not eligible for treatment.
(Rosenbaum/Tomei)

6. Maternal Mental Health Task Force Recommendations – HB 2235

In 2009 the OWHWA helped pass a bill creating the Maternal Mental Health Task Force.
This group met over the last two years and recently came out with their recommendations
for improving access to maternal mental health services. The concept for this session is an
educational/outreach requirement for DHS relating to maternal mental health services.
(Tomei/House Human Service Committee bill)

7. BPA/Children’s Safety – Bill # TBA

Bisphenol A (BPA), an ingredient in polycarbonate plastic, mimics estrogen and low doses
have been associated with increased proliferation of uterine, breast, and prostate tumor
cells. Because children’s bodies are growing and developing, they are more vulnerable to
the effects of toxic chemicals than adults. This bill would prohibit the use of BPA in sippy
cups, baby bottles, and plastic water bottles. (Oregon Environmental Council/Sen.
Dingfelder)

8. Lupus Resolution – SB 348

Lupus is a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects thousands of Oregonians and
millions of Americans, a large majority of which are women. This bill is aimed to raise
awareness about this disease by designating May 10th, 2011 Oregon Lupus Day and May of
every year Lupus Awareness Month. (Sen. Rosenbaum/ Rep. Tomei)
 Safety

9. Human Trafficking Statute Changes – Bill Package TBA

Human Trafficking will be a priority area this session. There are several bills moving
forward to address the sex trafficking of minors addressing three main areas: Getting
services to the youth victims, increasing penalties for the buyers who engage the sexual
services of minors and prosecuting the pimps/traffickers who are controlling these youth.
(Rep. Tomei /Rep. Gelser)

10. Sexual Assault Response Teams – SB 557

This bill creates Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) in every county to provide
coordinated response teams to victims of sexual assault, integrating law enforcement,
medical and social services. (Sen. Edwards)

11. Felony Strangulation – HB 2940

This bill makes strangulation a felony crime in certain circumstances – it is currently a
misdemeanor charge. This bill has been included on the OWHWA agenda in previous
session. (Rep. Gelser)

12. Protective orders for victims of sexual assault– HB 2942

Creates a sexual assault protection order (SAPO) for persons who have been subjected to
conduct constituting a sex crime, regardless of whether the conduct is reported to law
enforcement. (Rep. Gelser)

Questions? Comments?
Please Contact:
Megan Osborne at megan.osborne@state.or.us 503-986-1721
OR
Siobhan Sanders at rep.carolyntomei@state.or.us 503-986-1441