Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 309 - OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY, HEALTH SYSTEMS DIVISION: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
Division 102 - HANDLING PATIENT MAIL IN STATE INSTITUTIONS
Section 309-102-0130 - [Effective 1/19/2025] Handling of Patients' Journalist Mail, Legal Mail, Official Mail, Mail & Packages

Universal Citation: OR Admin Rules 309-102-0130

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024

(1) When a patient receives an authorized package, OSH may open and search it for contraband, including but not limited to prohibited items, even if there is no reasonable cause to believe that it may contain such an item. Authorized packages may be opened outside of the patient's presence.

(2) Unauthorized packages will not be accepted by OSH. OSH may return the package to sender, conduct a search of the package for safety or security reasons, request that it be accepted by law enforcement, or dispose of it in the presence of two OSH staff members. OSH must document the action taken.

(3) OSH may open and search patient mail other than legal, journalist, and official mail, outside the patient's presence, even where there is no reasonable cause to believe that it may contain contraband.

(4) OSH may open and search legal, journalist and official mail, with reasonable cause to believe that it may contain contraband, including but not limited to prohibited items, where such search must occur in the patient's presence.

(5) OSH may scan any incoming and outgoing sealed mail, journalist, legal, and official mail, or packages with non-invasive technology (e.g., metal detector, x-ray).

(6) After searching a patient's mail, journalist, legal, or official mail or package under this rule and no contraband or prohibited item is found inside, OSH may give any unrestricted items to the patient.

(7) After searching a patient's mail, journalist, legal, or official mail, or package under this rule and a prohibited item is found inside, then OSH may:

(a) Store the item as excess personal property;

(b) Provide the item to a designated person pursuant to OAR 309-108-0010(3);

(c) Dispose of any prohibited items that may pose a safety or security risk. Disposal must be documented and must be witnessed by two OSH staff members; and/or

(d) Give the patient any unrestricted item.

(8) After searching a patient's mail, journalist, legal, or official mail, or package under this rule and controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or weapons are found inside, then OSH must:

(a) Create a chain of custody and hold the mail, journalist, legal, or official mail, or package mail from a protection and advocacy group under ORS 192.517 or package in a secure area;

(b) Contact law enforcement and turn over the controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or weapons if law enforcement is willing to accept the item(s), and document the action taken;

(i) If law enforcement declines to investigate further or accept the controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or weapons, then dispose of the controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or weapons in the presence of at least two OSH staff and document the action taken.

(ii) If law enforcement declines to investigate further or accept the rest of the contents of the mail, journalist, legal or official mail, or package, give the patient any unrestricted items, and dispose of any prohibited item as set out in paragraph (7) of this rule.

(9) After searching a patient's mail, journalist, legal, or official mail, or package under this rule and drugs not prescribed to the patient, drugs not prescribed or authorized by OSH, or unauthorized currency are found inside, OSH must:

(a) Follow the process in section (7) of this rule, if OSH does not have good faith belief that the drugs not prescribed to the patient, drugs not prescribed or authorized by OSH, or the unauthorized currency are evidence of a crime or attempted crime; or

(b) Follow the process in section (8) of this rule if OSH has a good faith belief that the drugs not prescribed to the patient, drugs not prescribed or authorized by OSH, or the unauthorized currency are evidence of a crime or attempted crime.

(10) OSH must inform the patient of any incoming or outgoing mail, journalist, legal, or official mail, or package found to contain contraband (including prohibited items) was opened unless OSH has a good faith belief that the notification may:

(a) Increase the risk to the safety or security of OSH; or

(b) Impact an ongoing criminal investigation or proceeding.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 179.040, 413.042 & ORS 179.360

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 179.360 & 426.385

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Oregon may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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