(1) A care facility shall ensure that the administrators and staff employed by the facility receive training, as part of the facility’s preservices or continuing education required by law, concerning:

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(a) Caring for LGBTQIA2S+ residents and residents living with human immunodeficiency virus; and

(b) Preventing discrimination based on a resident’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or human immunodeficiency virus status.

(2) At a minimum, the training required by subsection (1) of this section must include:

(a) The defined terms commonly associated with LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and human immunodeficiency virus status;

(b) Best practices for communicating with or about LGBTQIA2S+ residents and residents living with human immunodeficiency virus, including the use of an individual’s chosen name and pronouns;

(c) A description of the health and social challenges historically experienced by LGBTQIA2S+ residents and residents living with human immunodeficiency virus, including discrimination when seeking or receiving care at care facilities and the demonstrated physical and mental health effects within the LGBTQIA2S+ community associated with such discrimination; and

(d) Strategies to create a safe and affirming environment for LGBTQIA2S+ residents and residents living with human immunodeficiency virus, including suggested changes to care facility policies and procedures, forms, signage, communication between residents and their families, activities, in-house services and staff training.

(3) The Department of Human Services shall establish by rule a process for a care facility to request approval of the training provided by the facility under this section. The department shall approve a training no later than 90 days after the date of request if:

(a) The care facility submits:

(A) A statement of the qualifications and training experience of the individual or entity providing the training;

(B) The proposed methodology for providing the training either online or in person;

(C) An outline of the training; and

(D) Copies of the materials to be used in the training;

(b) The training meets the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section; and

(c) The individual or entity providing the training demonstrates a commitment to advancing quality care for LGBTQIA2S+ residents and residents living with human immunodeficiency virus in this state.

(4) A care facility shall designate two employees, one who represents management at the facility and one who represents direct care staff at the facility, to receive the training described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section within 12 months of being designated and every two years thereafter. The designated employees shall serve as points of contact for the facility regarding compliance with ORS § 441.111 to 441.119 and 441.993 and shall develop a general training plan for the facility. In the event a designated employee ceases to be employed by the facility, the facility shall designate another employee, who is representative of the employee group represented by the former designee and who shall complete the training required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section, to serve as a point of contact for the facility regarding compliance with ORS § 441.111 to 441.119 and 441.993 and to have joint responsibility for the facility’s training plan.

(5) Within 12 months of hiring and every two years thereafter, a care facility shall provide to administrators and staff employed by the facility the training described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section. Training provided subsequent to the initial training of an administrator or staff person employed by the facility must include, at a minimum, refresher courses on the topics described in subsection (2)(b) and (d) of this section.

(6) A care facility shall retain records documenting the completion of the training required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section by each administrator and staff member at the facility. The records shall be made available, upon request, to the Department of Human Services and the office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman.

(7) A care facility is responsible for the cost of providing the training required by this section to each administrator and staff person employed by the facility. [2023 c.567 § 6]

Section 11, chapter 567, Oregon Laws 2023, provides:

The training described in:

(1) Section 6 (1) and (2) of this 2023 Act [441.116 (1) and (2)] shall first be provided to administrators and staff employed by a care facility, individuals and staff employed by entities that contract with a care facility to provide services or supports directly to residents of the care facility and the Long Term Care Ombudsman, the deputy ombudsmen and their designees no later December 31, 2024.

(2) Section 6 (4) of this 2023 Act shall first be provided no later than July 1, 2024. [2023 c.567 § 11]

[1981 c.534 § 6; 2001 c.104 § 179; 2003 c.86 § 13; 2013 c.717 § 5; renumbered 441.408 in 2015]