SALEM, Ore. — Tina Kotek has signed House Bill 4149 into law, solidifying longstanding protections for students experiencing homelessness and ensuring those safeguards remain in place regardless of potential changes to federal policy.
The bill, signed March 31, creates a durable state-level framework to support more than 22,000 Oregon students who experienced homelessness during the 2022–2023 school year, according to a report by Portland State University.
“In Oregon, every child should have access to housing, education and support that gives them the power to live a life of their choosing, regardless of income or zip code,” said Andrea Bell, executive director of Oregon Housing and Community Services. “When we get this right, we won’t just teach them of Oregon’s promise—we embed it into the experience of all students.”
House Bill 4149 guarantees key protections for students experiencing housing instability, including immediate school enrollment regardless of documentation, transportation to a student’s school of origin, access to comprehensive support services, and clear dispute resolution processes.
The law effectively embeds protections historically provided under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act into Oregon statute, ensuring continuity even if federal policies shift.
“We can no longer depend on the federal government to defend the rights of our most vulnerable communities,” Kotek said. “This bill ensures that students experiencing homelessness can be confident their rights are enshrined in state law and not subject to the whims of an unreliable federal government.”
Students facing homelessness often encounter significant barriers to academic success. A report from the Oregon Department of Education shows these students graduate at lower rates than their peers, reflecting broader inequities tied to housing instability.
“The federal McKinney-Vento Act affirms that education is a gateway not only to learning and opportunity, but also to stability, safety, and connection,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education. “Oregon legislators reinforced this commitment by passing HB 4149.”
Advocates say the law could have long-term impacts on reducing homelessness by addressing root causes early in life.
“By guaranteeing stable education, immediate enrollment, and comprehensive support, we’re addressing one of the root causes of intergenerational poverty and homelessness,” said Mary Ferrell, executive director of Maslow Project. “When children can remain in their school of origin and maintain consistent relationships, we fundamentally change their life trajectory.”
With House Bill 4149 now in effect, Oregon leaders say the state is reinforcing its commitment to ensuring students experiencing homelessness have the support needed to stay in school and succeed.
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