Governor Tina Kotek Signs House Bill 4149, Strengthening Protections For Students Experiencing Homelessness - 04/14/26
SALEM, Ore. — Governor Tina Kotek has signed House Bill 4149 into law on March 31, codifying longstanding educational protections for students experiencing homelessness into Oregon statute and ensuring those safeguards remain in place regardless of changes to federal policy.
“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 Oregon Housing and Community Services Executive Director Andrea Bell. “When we get this right, we won’t just teach them of Oregon’s promise to them—we embed it into the experience of all students.”
House Bill 4149 establishes a durable, state-level framework to support the more than 22,000 students in Oregon who experienced homelessness during the 2022-2023 school year, according to a report by Portland State University.
The new law guarantees:
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Immediate school enrollment regardless of documentation
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Transportation to a student’s school of origin
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Access to comprehensive support services
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Clear and consistent dispute resolution processes
By embedding protections historically provided under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act into state law, Oregon ensures continuity for students even amid potential
federal policy changes.
“We can no longer depend on the federal government to defend the rights of our most vulnerable communities,” said Gov. Kotek. “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 experiencing homelessness face significant barriers to academic success. An Oregon Department of Education report shows that students navigating housing instability graduate at lower rates than their peers, a gap that reflects broader systemic 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. Oregon legislators reinforced this commitment by passing HB 4149,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education. “As a result, ODE will continue to deepen our work with school districts, community organizations, and all those who support and advocate for students navigating housing instability. Together, we will ensure that every scholar has equitable access to education and the opportunity to thrive alongside their housed peers.”
Advocates and service providers across Oregon emphasized the bill’s long-term impact on preventing homelessness.
“By guaranteeing stable education, immediate enrollment, and comprehensive support for students experiencing homelessness, 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, maintain consistent relationships with teachers and friends, and access the services they need to thrive, we fundamentally change their life trajectory."
With House Bill 4149 now law, Oregon reinforces its commitment to addressing homelessness at its roots by ensuring that students experiencing housing instability have the support they need to stay in school and succeed.
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.