December 23, 2025 UPDATE:

PSRB rules got looser. This can keep people under control longer.

We posted a short, plain-language guide to the PSRB rule changes from 2023 to 2025. It includes a simple timeline and links to the official rule records.

Here is the main issue: the rules used to say a person is dangerous because of a qualifying mental disorder. The newer rule says the disorder can “combine with another condition” and does not have to be enough on its own.

That change matters because it can make it easier to keep PSRB control even when the qualifying disorder is not the main reason for current risk. It can turn the standard from “current danger caused by a current disorder” into “a diagnosis plus other concerns.”

Read the breakdown here:
https://citizensformentalhealthreform.com/psrb_oar_changes

If you care about fair rules and civil liberties, please share this update and keep supporting the petition.

June 24, 2025 UPDATE:

Dear Supporters,

New website is live: https://citizensformentalhealthreform.com/sb1114_amendment

We need to start now on advocating for SB 1114 to be reintroduced in the 2026 Legislative session.

It wont pass in 2025 full stop, please stop spreading false hope.

 

May 21, 2025 UPDATE:

Dear Supporters,

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to reforming the PSRB commitment guidelines. We have an important update: SB 1114, in its current form, faces significant opposition and is unlikely to pass this legislative session.

However, our advocacy can still make a crucial difference. By contacting the Senate Judiciary Committee directly, we can push for an amended version of the bill. Specifically, we are urging the committee to include at least non-Measure 11 (non person-to-person) crimes in any revised legislation. This amendment is essential to prevent discrimination against individuals whose qualifying mental condition was the primary factor in their crime, particularly in cases that do not involve direct harm to another person.

Here’s how you can help immediately:

Please email the Senate Judiciary Committee members today using this link:

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Committees/SJUD/Overview

 

Sample Email:

Subject: Support Amending SB 1114 to Address Discriminatory Commitment Lengths for Non-Person-to-Person Crimes

Dear Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee,

I urge you to support amending Senate Bill 1114 to include at least non-Measure 11 (non person-to-person) crimes. This change is vital to ensure that individuals whose crimes were primarily due to a qualifying mental condition receive fair and proportional commitment lengths.

With the passage of HB 2471, it is critical to ensure our commitment guidelines do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities, particularly in cases where their actions did not involve direct harm to another person.

This amendment promotes justice, fairness, and equitable treatment for individuals experiencing mental health crises, aligning with Oregon's commitment to protecting individual rights while safeguarding public safety.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your City, Oregon]

 
Your continued advocacy makes all the difference—let's ensure our voices advocate effectively for equitable and just reform!

Warm regards,
Citizens For Mental Health Reform

Apr 21, 2025 UPDATE:

I just talked with Disability Rights Oregon and they told me:

"I am sorry to say that I believe this bill will not be passed this year, there are too many internal politics that are working against this bill. I have talked with Senator Gelser Blouin and I believe that we can come back together during the interim session and work out an agreement. "

It is a very controversial topic, I had my hopes up about this and alot of other people did too.

Hopefully in the next legislative session this can be revisited.

Please spread the word so that people don't have false hope.

3/1/2025 UPDATE:

We are excited to share that the Senate Bill we have been advocating for with your steadfast support since 2021 has now been introduced to the Oregon Legislature by Senator Gelser Blouin. This bill is designed to reform the maximum sentencing commitment lengths for individuals found Guilty Except for Insanity and includes a Post-Conviction Relief clause that makes the sentencing modifications retroactive.

Specifically, after SB 1114 takes effect and is signed by Governor Kotek, those who received a maximum sentence under the PSRB will have the opportunity to file a Post Conviction Relief and petition the court for a new sentence based on the amended law and its updated commitment length timelines. SB 1114 will establish parity in sentencing between individuals who commit a crime without intent due to a mental condition and those who are not similarly affected.

Senator Gelser Blouin is an outspoken advocate for those with disabilities, including mental conditions, and she has consistently championed the rights and dignity of individuals facing mental health challenges. Over the years, her remarkable legislative record has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to social justice and equity. She has been at the forefront of enacting transformative reforms—ranging from enhancing mental health services and strengthening protections against discrimination to ensuring that public policies truly reflect the needs of vulnerable populations.

We encourage you to consider providing testimony in support of SB 1114. Your voice is critical in this process. Additionally, with the Oregon Legislature Website (OLIS), you can track the bill and receive email updates (e-Subscribe in the top right) as it moves through the legislative process.

Thank you for your continued support.

________________________________________________

2021 Petition:

Attention Oregon Mental Health Peers, Family Members and Compassionate Allies of human beings currently suffering from a Mental Illness:

People with mental illness didn't choose to be born that way and shouldn't be punished with the maximum possible sentence based on the fact that they have one.

In the name of Justice, Oregon discriminates against the mentally ill with excessively long sentences under the Psychiatric Security Review Board.

People shouldn't be kept under jurisdiction just because it creates mental health jobs.

We understand there is also community safety to take into consideration. We would like to point out the PSRB's own recidivism rate.

From January 2011 through 2017 (the most recent year for which recidivism figures are currently available), only 15 people out of the 896 who were living in the community on conditional release have been convicted of new felonies or misdemeanors.

Most people under the PSRB are not criminals they simply had a mental health crisis and it got out of control. If there were better community mental health options they may have never had an incident that required the Justice System.

The Majority of people currently stuck under the PSRB are there because of the incredible hurdles it takes to be released early.

Millions of dollars are being wasted keeping people under jurisdiction.

In Oregon if someone commits a crime they are sentenced under the The Oregon Sentencing Guidelines Grid. Which can range from 30 Days to Life in Prison.

But if a person with a mental illness commits a crime they are given the maximum sentence.

We believe this is unfair and discrimination against people with a mental disability.

That is why we are calling upon Kate Brown and the Oregon Legislature to fix this by re-sentencing all current PSRB Clients according to the Oregon Sentencing Guidelines Grid.

Many have done twice or three times the amount under the PSRB then if they hadn't asserted the mental health defense.