Oregon Bill SB 1579 Increases Penalties for Making False Reports of Child Abuse

Original title: Modifies the offense of making a false report of child abuse.

Last action · March 6, 2026: In committee upon adjournment.Sponsors: Kim Thatcher and 11 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Proposed

Senate Bill 1579 increases criminal penalties for making a false report of child abuse intended to influence custody, parenting time, visitation, or child support decisions. A first-time offense is punished as a carrying up to six months' imprisonment and a $2,500 fine, while repeat offenses escalate to a Class A misdemeanor and a .

Why it matters

People convicted of making a false report face significantly harsher criminal penalties and higher financial fines, escalating from a previous violation level up to felony status for repeat offenses.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Individuals involved in child custody or support disputes

Individuals face heightened criminal penalties and fines if they make a false report of child abuse intended to influence custody, parenting time, visitation, or child support decisions.

Directly affected

Department of Human Services

The agency receives reports of child abuse that may be subject to false reporting investigations under the modified statute.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the penalty for a first-time conviction of making a false report of child abuse under this bill?

A first offense is classified as a , punishable by up to six months in prison, a $2,500 fine, or both.

What triggers the classification of the offense as a felony?

Making a false report of child abuse is classified as a if the person has two or more prior convictions under this section at the time of the offense.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the Senate · in House committee.

Procedural history

10 actions

Mar 6, 2026House
In committee upon adjournment.
Feb 24, 2026House
Referred to Rules.
Feb 24, 2026House
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
Feb 20, 2026Senate
Third reading. Carried by Thatcher. Passed.
Feb 19, 2026Senate
Second reading.
Feb 19, 2026Senate
Recommendation: Do pass.

Show 4 earlier actions

Feb 16, 2026Senate
Work Session held.
Feb 9, 2026Senate
Public Hearing held.
Feb 2, 2026Senate
Referred to Judiciary.
Feb 2, 2026Senate
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →