In a significant move aimed at restoring dignity to some of Oregon’s most vulnerable youth, the Oregon Senate has passed Senate Bill 1016, a measure that will prohibit the use of trash bags to transport the personal belongings of foster children. The bill, which received strong bipartisan support, marks a step forward in addressing long-standing concerns about how children in the state’s foster care system are treated during transitions between homes.
Senate Bill 1016, introduced earlier this legislative session, directly targets a practice that has been widely criticized by child welfare advocates, former foster youth, and lawmakers alike. For years, foster children in Oregon and across the country have frequently been handed black garbage bags to carry their clothes, toys, school supplies, and other personal possessions when moving between placements. Critics say the practice is not only dehumanizing but sends a damaging message to children that their belongings—and by extension, their lives—are disposable.
The bill mandates that Oregon’s Department of Human Services (DHS) ensure children in foster care are provided with appropriate luggage or containers when they are relocated. Options may include duffel bags, suitcases, backpacks, or other durable and respectful means of transporting personal items. The legislation emphasizes the state’s responsibility to uphold the dignity and emotional well-being of children in care.
The bill’s passage reflects growing momentum across the nation to reform child welfare systems and eliminate practices that compound the trauma children experience when removed from their homes. States like California, Florida, and Washington have already adopted similar measures to replace trash bags with more appropriate alternatives.
While the bill does not specify the exact funding mechanism for providing luggage, DHS officials have indicated that the department is exploring partnerships with nonprofits, community organizations, and local businesses to ensure that foster children are never again forced to use trash bags for their belongings.
Several organizations, including CASA of Oregon and the Oregon Foster Youth Connection, have voiced support for the bill, stating that such changes—though symbolic—can have a profound impact on a child’s self-worth and emotional health.
With the Senate’s approval, Senate Bill 1016 now moves to the Oregon House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass with similar support. If enacted into law, Oregon will officially join a growing number of states committing to foster care reform focused not just on placement and safety but on respect and dignity for every child in the system.
For Oregon’s foster children, this bill represents more than just a new rule—it represents a promise of compassion and a move toward a more humane and supportive system.
