Legislature OKs bill to boost child abuse center funding

The Oregon Senate gave unanimous approval Tuesday to legislation sponsored by three Central Oregon lawmakers to boost funding for child abuse intervention centers.

HB 2234, whichprovides additionalfundingto Oregon’s 21 child abuse intervention centers,was sponsored bySen. Tim Knopp (R-Bend), Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver), and Rep. Knute Buehler (R-Bend).

The bill provides additional funding forOregon’s network of child abuse intervention centers by requiring thatinsurance providers reimburse these centers for performing forensic interviews andmedical assessmentsof abused children.

“In Oregon, one in 12 children is abused, and the centers are not able to provide full services to all these children. The additional funds from HB 2234-A will allow the centers to provide full services to more children,” said Whisnant.

Knopp, a chief sponsor of the measure, also explained his support of the bill.

“The estimated lifetime impact of social costs and lost earnings associated with non-fatal maltreatment incidence in Oregon in 2014 was $58 billion,” he said. “This is a great bill, with the opportunity to save a lot of money and a lot of lives.

“We have these assessment centers in our communities. They have fundraisers to raise money but still can’t serve all the children they need to. If there is anything we can do to protect these children, we should.”

Having passed boththe House and the Senate, HB 2234 now awaitsthe governor’s signature.