A Judicial Department workgroup is close to finishing a 2-year study of changes to Oregon’s civil commitment laws. Lawmakers are finding funding. What comes next?
The problem is well-known, and much-maligned, among Oregonians who have experienced the dangers of the current system, including Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton.
“Oregon’s civil commitment process, I believe, is broken and it’s widely recognized that the bar that has to be reached to civilly commit someone is not appropriate, it’s too high,” Barton said. “If we can address mental health issues upstream before a crime is committed, there’s a benefit to everyone involved.”
So, if Oregon leaders recognize the problem, what are they doing about it?
In late 2022, OJD launched the “Commitment to Change” workgroup — an in-depth, two-year study of Oregon’s civil commitment process, with the goal of recommending changes to lawmakers for the 2025 session.
Panelists have met monthly, soliciting …