FILE: The Oregon Department of Human Services building in Salem, June 2020. In the 2026 legislative session, state lawmakers overwhelmingly passed an "Oregon Foster Children's Bill of Rights" to improve the lives of the all the vulnerable children in the child welfare system.
Bradley W. Parks / OPB
Oregon foster kids now have a state “Bill of Rights,” which Oregon lawmakers passed nearly unanimously, with only a single House member voting no. The legislation was vetoed by the governor last year but modified this year to address her concerns. The Oregon Foster Children’s Bill of Rights expands protections for children and youth in the state’s care, including assurance that kids can still see their siblings even when removed from their family of origin, and that they can bring precious possessions with them — among other protections. We talk with OPB Politics Reporter Lauren Dake to get more details about the legislation and how it’s expected to affect the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in the state.
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