Senate Bill 599 will allow childcare providers to operate in rental homes.

SALEM, Ore - With overwhelming bipartisan support, Senate Bill 599 just passed the Oregon Senate. This legislation requires housing providers to allow childcare services to operate in rental homes when certain conditions are met.

SB 599 will deliver relief in Oregon’s childcare shortage by significantly expanding the operational space available to childcare providers. Rural communities and communities of color who live in childcare deserts and those in need of culturally appropriate care should see results from this legislation. It also supports housing providers with liability protections, ensuring these childcare facilities can operate in rental properties without incurring significant cost.

“This bill is an important step to provide more affordable childcare options so that working families can stay in their communities. This security will have a compounding effect on increased workforce performance, longer tenure of employees, and more stable homelives. I applaud the efforts of the childcare advocates and housing providers for their work on this bill, which has been a multi-year, multi-session project by many dedicated individuals. I appreciate their work, consensus, and compromise.” said co-Chief Sponsor Senator Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City).

“I am thrilled that we were able to deliver such a strong bipartisan win for working families in Oregon. Too many parents are struggling to afford childcare – if they can even find a place in their community that provides it. This is one small but important step towards making sure every Oregon kid has a safe place to learn and play while their parents are at work,” said co-Chief Sponsor Senator Elizabeth Steiner (D-Portland).