Oregon’s Foster Youth Rights Bill: Why Legal Representation and Dignity Matter
Oregon’s child welfare system is finally responding to a crisis that’s been building for years. After the heartbreaking death of a 17-year-old foster teen who had been living in a hotel for weeks, lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 875, a much-needed effort to give Oregon foster youth more rights, more stability, and more say in their lives.
For decades, children in Oregon foster care have faced life-changing decisions: about where they’ll live, who they can see, and whether they’ll be reunited with siblings, all without legal representation. SB 875 was designed to change that.
What SB 875 Would Do for Children in the Foster Care System
One of the most important parts of SB 875 is the right it gives foster youth to have an attorney during abuse investigations and court hearings. This is not just a simple legislative change, it’s a step toward greater protection. While caseworkers and courts may care, they’re often overburdened or limited in what they can do. A dedicated attorney ensures that children have someone who works only for them.
SB 875 also targets some of the smaller, more personal issues that send big messages. For example, it would require that children’s belongings be packed in real luggage. No more belongings in trash bags, which have long symbolized the system’s disregard for children’s dignity as noted in a recent Justice for Kids® article. It also protects the right of siblings to maintain contact unless a court finds it unsafe. These are small steps with huge emotional impact. These changes make it clear: foster kids in Oregon are not just cases. They’re people, and they deserve to be treated with respect and to have their lives protected at all times.
Why Legal Representation for Foster Children Matters So Much
Having an attorney can change a child’s entire experience in foster care. According to research summarized by the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) and Council For Kids, children with legal representation are:
- 45% more likely to reunify with parents
- 30% less likely to experience placement changes
- More likely to receive necessary education and mental health services
- More likely to leave foster care with a stable plan for the future
These aren’t just statistics. They’re about giving kids a voice when it matters most.
Across the country, child welfare attorneys have dedicated years to giving vulnerable kids a voice and to expand legal protections. This way, no child is left alone in a system that overlooks their needs. There are experienced child advocacy attorneys ready to help with resources and experience to ensure the best possible outcome for these children.
As co-founder of Justice for Kids® and a practitioner with over 30 years of experience advocating for the vulnerable and voiceless, I have seen firsthand the difference a dedicated lawyer makes. I’ve witnessed traumatized children find stability, teenagers access educational opportunities they were repeatedly denied, and siblings kept together because someone stood up and demanded the system follow its own rules. Every child deserves a champion who understands both the law and the unique challenges they face—someone who ensures their voice isn’t just heard but truly listened to. When we invest in legal representation for foster children, we’re not just improving outcomes; we’re acknowledging their fundamental right to dignity and to shape their own futures.
Oregon’s Child Welfare Crisis: A Wake-Up Call
The recent stories of Oregon foster kids, some placed in hotels for weeks, others moved dozens of times, and some denied medical or educational support, all reveal a system that too often fails its most vulnerable children.
These issues don’t just happen because of bad luck. They happen when no one is advocating for the child. SB 875 gives us a chance to fix that. It gives foster children something that every person should have when facing a life-changing decision: a legal advocate dedicated solely to safeguarding their interests.
What This Means for Oregon Families and Advocates
If SB 875 becomes law, there will be new rights and responsibilities for everyone involved in the system.
- Attorneys will need to step up and represent children in court with the same dedication they would show any client.
- Foster parents and caseworkers should understand how to support children who now have independent legal counsel.
- Youth in foster care should be told clearly and simply what their rights are and how to use them.
And for families and advocates: if you see a child in care being overlooked, denied services, or ignored in court, it may not just be unfair, it could be illegal.
That’s when it’s time to call an experienced child advocacy attorney.
Justice for Kids® is expanding our reach and is committed to fighting for the legal rights of abused, neglected, and injured children. While we currently serve children in the states where our attorneys are licensed, including Florida, New York, and Washington, D.C.1, we are proud to support efforts to improve foster care systems nationwide, including in Oregon. We are also willing to partner with Oregon attorneys who handle child welfare cases to bolster your advocacy. As we expand and grow, we stand ready to assist local advocates, share resources, and help build a national movement for child-centered legal representation that ensures every child’s voice is not only heard, but empowered.
A Call to Action: Support SB 875 and Stand Up for Oregon’s Kids
SB 875 isn’t just about legal reform; it’s about sending a message that Oregon foster children matter. That they deserve the same protection and representation we would want for anyone else. That they shouldn’t have to face trauma, loss, or danger alone.
But even if this bill passes, the work isn’t over. Children will need to be told about their rights—so many remain unaware. Then, the rights it creates will need to be funded, implemented, and enforced. That’s where everyday people—families, attorneys, caregivers, advocates—come in.
If you support this bill, contact your Oregon state representative.
If you know a child being denied legal help, reach out to Justice for Kids®.
If you’re a legal professional, consider joining the effort to represent foster youth.
Oregon can’t afford to wait. The kids in the foster care system are depending on practitioners to do better and now is the chance to show them you will. For more information on how to advocate for foster care children in Oregon, contact Justice for Kids®.
Justin Grosz, Esq.
Lead Partner, Justice for Kids
754-888-KIDS (5437)
Special thanks to Maya Behar, Research and Content Intern for Justice for Kids®, whose comprehensive research, detailed analysis, and substantive input were essential to the development of this article.
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