Salem, OR – Governor Kate Brown today signed House Bill 3149, legislation to allow registered nurses at public or private schools to accept doctors’ orders from out-of-state physicians and therefore treat students that have been enrolled at the school less than 90 days. Sponsored by House Republican Leader Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte), the legislation makes it easier for new students in Oregon schools to receive treatment for medical conditions and also participate in school sports, field trips and other activities.
“Students new to Oregon should not be penalized or prohibited from receiving necessary treatment or participating in school activities because their doctors’ orders were prescribed out of state,” said Rep. McLane. “This commonsense piece of legislation extends the grace period for families to find appropriate physicians and medical specialists in Oregon while allowing for consistency as students transition into new schools. I thank Governor Brown for signing this bill to lift an unnecessary burden off of families new to the state.”
Current law states that written medical orders for students enrolled at Oregon schools need to be submitted by an in-state physician within 90 days. However, wait times for new appointments, particularly for specialists, can often exceed the 90-day limit, leaving students and families with limited options. HB 3149 allows schools to accept out-of-state medical orders for new students while families find the best physician or specialist for their children.
Rep. McLane brought forward HB 3149 after receiving a letter from a constituent, Jodi Kerr of Gilchrist, whose out-of-state medical records and school orders for her children were not accepted by their attended schools upon the family’s move back to Oregon, their home state. The Kerr family today joined Governor Brown, Rep. McLane, Representative Gail Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls) and Senator Doug Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls) at today’s bill signing.
HB 3149 unanimously passed both the House and Senate, and will go into effect January 1, 2016.
###
www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclane
