Gov. Tina Kotek talks to the Oregon Capital Chronicle in the ceremonial office of the state library in Salem on May 17, 2023. (Michael Romanos/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

SALEM, Ore. - Gov. Tina Kotek has signed a new bill aimed at easing the strain on Oregon's behavioral health workforce. House Bill 4083, crafted by the Governor’s Behavioral Health Talent Council, seeks to streamline credentialing and reduce administrative burdens for workers.

The bill introduces a centralized platform to cut down on long wait times and allows qualified licensed professionals to supervise across license types. These changes are intended to retain workers and attract new talent to the field.

"The Behavioral Health Talent Council listened to frontline providers who told us they're drowning in paperwork," First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson said. "This bill addresses those real challenges and will help us retain the skilled professionals we cannot afford to lose."

Gov. Kotek emphasized the importance of this legislation for both providers and patients. "This bill cuts unnecessary red tape for Oregon's behavioral health workforce," Kotek said. "This is an important win for health care providers and for Oregonians waiting for care."

The Governor is prioritizing improvements in the behavioral health sector, having previously commissioned the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to assess the workforce. The Council developed a comprehensive set of recommendations, which Kotek will review for further action.

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