Relating to false reports of child abuse; prescribing an effective date.
Summary
SB 385 amends Oregon law on the crime of making a false report of child abuse. The bill keeps the existing requirement that the false report be made with the intent to influence a custody, parenting time, visitation, or child support decision, and it continues to cover both direct reports to the Department of Human Services or law enforcement and false reports made to a public or private official with the expectation that the official will report it onward.
The main change is to increase the penalties for repeat offenses. Under the bill, a first offense is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, a second offense as a Class A misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent offense as a Class C felony. The measure applies only to false reports made on or after its effective date, and it takes effect 91 days after adjournment of the 2025 regular session.
Impact
SB 385 amends ORS 419B.016, replacing the current penalty structure for false reports of child abuse with a more graduated and more severe set of criminal penalties for repeat conduct. It changes the offense from a Class A violation for a first offense to a Class B misdemeanor, increases the second offense to a Class A misdemeanor, and elevates a third or subsequent offense to a Class C felony. The bill therefore increases potential jail exposure, fines, and collateral consequences for individuals who knowingly make false child abuse reports in family-law-related disputes.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong bipartisan or at least broad chamber support for the measure. The Senate committee reported the bill out do pass with amendments on a 5-0 vote, and the Senate later passed it on third reading by a 27-0 vote. No committee transcript was provided, but the unanimous votes indicate little visible opposition in the recorded legislative process.
Contention
The bill’s likely point of contention is the severity of the penalty increase, especially the move to felony treatment for a third or subsequent offense. Supporters appear to view the measure as a deterrent against misuse of child abuse allegations in custody and parenting disputes, while any concerns would likely center on whether harsher criminal penalties could have unintended effects in family-law conflicts or reporting behavior. The text itself narrows the offense to reports made with intent to influence custody, parenting time, visitation, or child support decisions, which suggests the legislature was targeting strategic or retaliatory false reports rather than mistaken reports made in good faith.