Relating to the behavioral health workforce; and declaring an emergency.

Added new requirement for behavioral health employers to provide safety trainings to workers in mental health and SUD treatment settings.

Removed detailed reporting requirements about staffing vacancy rates and specific provider information that entities must report to the Oregon Health Authority.

Removed wage increases from the list of allowable grant uses, limiting grants to scholarships, loan forgiveness, tuition assistance, and student stipends only.

Simplified grant eligibility by removing several entity types including urban Indian health programs, tribal mental health program recipients, and other specific service providers.

Changed the bill ordering date from April 15 to June 19 and updated the operative date to July 1, 2026.

Added provisions allowing reinstatement with back pay for employees who are unlawfully retaliated against by behavioral health employers.

The primary purpose changed from studying the behavioral health workforce to establishing a grant program and incentive payment system to recruit and retain providers.

New provisions direct the Oregon Health Authority to award grants to eligible entities for recruitment and retention purposes.

New provisions require the development and implementation of incentive payments to help entities increase employee wages.

Specific eligibility criteria were added, including requirements that at least 50% of patients be uninsured or enrolled in state medical assistance or Medicare, and that entities provide team-based care.

New eligible entities include Urban Indian health programs, tribal mental health program recipients, qualified medical providers offering medication-assisted treatment, and other certified entities providing behavioral health care.

Entities receiving grants must report on how funds were spent and their impact on recruitment and retention, including specific data on provider licensure, spending per provider, and staffing vacancy rates.

New list of allowable grant uses includes scholarships, loan forgiveness, housing assistance, sign-on and retention bonuses, wage increases, professional development, child care subsidies, tuition assistance, and supervisor stipends.

Added a definition for 'behavioral health care' to include services and supports for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders.

Added a declaration of emergency effective July 1, 2025, and repealed the original sunset provision that would have ended the study requirement on January 2, 2027.