Oregon House Bill HB3830

Oregon 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/25
• Refer: 3/4/25

Caption

Relating to immigration status.

Summary

HB 3830 would change Oregon law to bar professional licensing boards from denying occupational or professional authorizations solely because an applicant is not lawfully present in the United States or because of the applicant’s immigration or citizenship status. It also extends that same non-discrimination rule to state and local public benefits, stating that immigration or citizenship status alone cannot be the basis for denial. The bill further limits how licensing boards may handle sensitive identification information. It prohibits disclosure of an applicant’s or licensee’s Social Security number, federal taxpayer identification number, or other federally issued identification number except for specified purposes such as tax administration, authorization-related purposes, or child support enforcement. The bill also makes those numbers confidential and exempt from public disclosure under Oregon public records law. In addition, it amends ORS 25.785 to allow individuals without a Social Security number to satisfy existing application requirements with a written statement, while preserving penalties for knowingly false statements.

Impact

HB 3830 would affect Oregon’s professional licensing system, state and local public benefit eligibility, and public records/confidentiality rules. It would limit the authority of licensing boards and other state agencies to use immigration status as a basis for denying licenses, permits, certificates, registrations, or benefits, and it would create explicit confidentiality protections for SSNs and related federal identification numbers submitted in licensing processes. The bill would also modify ORS 25.785 to accommodate applicants who do not have a Social Security number.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as an access and privacy bill, with a clear policy goal of reducing barriers for immigrants and other applicants who lack federal identification numbers. The available context does not show formal opposition or support in committee, but the substance suggests it would likely be viewed favorably by advocates for immigrant access to licensing and public benefits, and more cautiously by those concerned about eligibility verification and administrative enforcement.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely to be whether Oregon should allow individuals who are not lawfully present to obtain professional authorizations and receive state or local public benefits, and whether limiting disclosure of SSNs and federal tax identification numbers could complicate enforcement, verification, or child support collection. Supporters would emphasize equal access, workforce participation, and privacy protections, while opponents may focus on immigration-status eligibility and the potential impact on agency oversight and compliance systems.