Judge Holds Oregon Agencies in Contempt Over ‘Ongoing Failure’ to Treat Mentally Ill Defendants

US Federal District Court Judge Adrienne Nelson imposed fines on the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon State Hospital (OSH) yesterday after finding them in contempt and for violating the United States Constitution by failing in their duty to mental health patients.

OHA has long been accused of consistently failing to fulfill its responsibility to mentally ill patients, including in the 2023 lawsuit filed by four hospitals.

The agency’s 2024 report indicated that hundreds of new forensic mental health treatment beds are needed, but they have not materialized. The agencies continue to force even more early discharges of untreated, mentally ill patients facing misdemeanor criminal charges.

Marion County, Disability Rights Oregon, District Attorneys, Crime Victims, and Health Systems filed the lawsuit asking the court to find contempt and ensure accountability by imposing fines while noncompliance continues.

Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell said that the fines are “designed to force Oregon State Hospital to finally get serious about providing the desperately needed mental health care that Oregon law requires and that is needed to protect public safety.”

Judge Nelson agreed with Marion County and the other applicants, and Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis confirmed that “It is long past time for accountability for the ongoing failure of the OSH to care for criminally charged, mentally ill patients.”