161.315 Right of state to obtain mental examination of defendant; limitations; report. (1) Upon filing of notice or the introduction of evidence by the defendant as provided in ORS 161.309, the state shall have the right to have at least one psychiatrist or licensed psychologist of its selection examine the defendant. The state shall file notice with the court of its intention to have the defendant examined.
(2)(a) Upon filing of the notice, the court, in its discretion, may order the defendant committed to a state mental hospital or any other suitable facility, if the defendant is 18 years of age or older, for observation and examination, which may include treatment as permitted by law.
(b) If the defendant is under 18 years of age, upon filing of the notice, the court, in its discretion, may order the defendant committed to a secure intensive community inpatient facility designated by the Oregon Health Authority for examination.
(c) The state mental hospital or other facility may retain custody of a defendant committed under this subsection only for the duration necessary to complete the observation and examination of the defendant, not to exceed 30 days.
(3) If the defendant objects to the examiner chosen by the state, the court for good cause shown may direct the state to select a different examiner.
(4) An examiner performing an examination on the issue of insanity of a defendant under this section is not obligated to examine the defendant for fitness to proceed unless, during the examination, the examiner determines that the defendant’s fitness to proceed is drawn in question. If, during the examination, the examiner determines that the defendant’s fitness to proceed is in doubt, the examiner shall report the issue to the court and to the superintendent of th
Stored review status: 2025_edition_later_amendments_unresolved. A text match is a research starting point; applicability is not established.
Official chapter context and edition notices
TITLE 16
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
Chapter 161. General Provisions
162. Offenses Against the State and Public Justice
163. Offenses Against Persons
163A. Sex Offender Reporting and Classification
164. Offenses Against Property
165. Offenses Involving Fraud or Deception
166. Offenses Against Public Order; Firearms and Other Weapons; Racketeering
167. Offenses Against General Welfare and Animals
169. Local and Regional Correctional Facilities; Prisoners; Juvenile Facilities
_______________
Chapter 161 — General Provisions
Uncodified sections printed in this chapter were amended or repealed by the Legislative Assembly during its 2026 regular session. See the table of uncodified sections amended or repealed during the 2026 regular session: 2026 A&R Tables
2025 EDITION
GENERAL PROVISIONS
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
PRINCIPLES
CRIMINAL LIABILITY
PARTIES TO CRIME
JUSTIFICATION
RESPONSIBILITY
(Temporary provisions relating to maximum periods of commitment and community restoration are compiled as notes following ORS 161.371)
INCHOATE CRIMES
CLASSES OF OFFENSES
DISPOSITION OF OFFENDERS
AUTHORITY OF SENTENCING COURT
PRINCIPLES
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Stable record: oregon_criminal_law:legal_authorities:161.315 Source file: ors161.html Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded Passage SHA-256: 026a678247322b42fef2d8b405092f7d3020cc6d88864bb61282656d7ac37b75 Retained source evidence SHA-256: 8773685681f1bf26a63d62a05c338a6e76c17f6dd1b69da0a77625951fdf2fe5
Source location: ORS 161.315 (all printed versions and notes)
Stored source content
161.315 Right of state to obtain mental examination of defendant; limitations; report. (1) Upon filing of notice or the introduction of evidence by the defendant as provided in ORS 161.309, the state shall have the right to have at least one psychiatrist or licensed psychologist of its selection examine the defendant. The state shall file notice with the court of its intention to have the defendant examined.
(2)(a) Upon filing of the notice, the court, in its discretion, may order the defendant committed to a state mental hospital or any other suitable facility, if the defendant is 18 years of age or older, for observation and examination, which may include treatment as permitted by law.
(b) If the defendant is under 18 years of age, upon filing of the notice, the court, in its discretion, may order the defendant committed to a secure intensive community inpatient facility designated by the Oregon Health Authority for examination.
(c) The state mental hospital or other facility may retain custody of a defendant committed under this subsection only for the duration necessary to complete the observation and examination of the defendant, not to exceed 30 days.
(3) If the defendant objects to the examiner chosen by the state, the court for good cause shown may direct the state to select a different examiner.
(4) An examiner performing an examination on the issue of insanity of a defendant under this section is not obligated to examine the defendant for fitness to proceed unless, during the examination, the examiner determines that the defendant’s fitness to proceed is drawn in question. If, during the examination, the examiner determines that the defendant’s fitness to proceed is in doubt, the examiner shall report the issue to the court and to the superintendent of the state mental hospital or the superintendent’s designee, or to the director of the facility to which the defendant is committed. The superintendent or director may:
(a) Return the defendant to the facility from which the defendant was transported; or
(b) Inform the court and the parties that the defendant should remain at the state mental hospital or other facility for the purpose of an examination under ORS 161.365. If neither party objects, the court may order an examination under ORS 161.365 without holding a hearing.
(5) A report resulting from an examination under this section may be filed with the court electronically.
(6)(a) Reports resulting from examinations conducted under this section are confidential and may be made available only:
(A) To the court, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, agent of the prosecuting or defense attorney, defendant, community mental health program director or designee and any facility in which the defendant is housed; or
(B) As ordered by a court.
(b) Any facility in which a defendant is housed may not use a report prepared under this section to support a disciplinary action against the defendant.
(c) Nothing in this subsection prohibits the prosecuting attorney, defense attorney or agent of the prosecuting or defense attorney from discussing the contents of a report prepared under this section with witnesses or victims as otherwise permitted by law. [1971 c.743 §42; 1977 c.380 §3; 2007 c.14 §5; 2009 c.595 §101; 2011 c.724 §10; 2017 c.48 §2; 2019 c.311 §3; 2019 c.538 §3a]
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Oregon criminal law — ORS Title 16 (2025 snapshot) · legal_authorities
161.309 Notice of mental defense; when report required; contents of report; plea. (1) The defendant may not introduce evidence on the issue of insanity under ORS 161.295, unless the defendant:
(a) Gives notice of intent to do so in the manner provided in subsection (3) of this section; and
(b) Files with the court a report of a psychiatric or psychological evaluation, conducted by a certified evaluator, in the manner provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(2) The defendant may not introduce in the case in chief expert testimony regarding partial responsibility or diminished capacity under ORS 161.300 unless the defendant gives notice of intent to do so in the manner provided in subsection (3) of this section.
(3)(a) A defendant who is required under subsection (1) or (2) of this section to give notice shall file a written notice of purpose at least 45 days before trial.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, the court may, for good cause, permit the defendant to file the notice within 45 days before trial.
(c) If the defendant fails to file notice under this subsection, the defendant may not introduce evidence for the establishment of a defense under ORS 161.295 or 161.300 unless the court, in its discretion, permits the evidence to be introduced where just cause for failure to file the notice is shown.
(4) A defendant who is required under subsection (1) of this section to file a report of a psychiatric or psychological evaluation shall file the report before trial. The report must be based on an evaluation conducted after the date of the alleged offense and must address the issue of insanity under ORS 161.295 and the dispositional determination described in ORS 161.325. If the defendant fails to file a complete report before trial, the defen
161.365 Fitness to proceed consultation; examination; report; rules. (1)(a) When the court has reason to doubt the defendant’s fitness to proceed by reason of incapacity as described in ORS 161.360, the court may call any witness to assist it in reaching its decision. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the court shall order that a community mental health program director, or the director’s designee, consult with the defendant and with any local entity that would be responsible for providing community restoration services to the defendant if the defendant were to be released in the community, to determine whether appropriate community restoration services are present and available in the community. The court may order the consultation either before or after determining the issue of fitness to proceed. After the consultation, the program director or the director’s designee shall provide to the court a copy of the findings resulting from the consultation.
(b) If the defendant is charged with one or more of the following offenses the court is not required to, but may in its discretion, order the consultation described in paragraph (a) of this subsection:
(A) Aggravated murder;
(B) Murder in any degree;
(C) Attempted aggravated murder;
(D) Attempted murder in any degree;
(E) Manslaughter in any degree;
(F) Aggravated vehicular homicide;
(G) Arson in the first degree when classified as crime category 10 of the sentencing guidelines grid of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission;
(H) Assault in the first degree;
(I) Assault in the second degree;
(J) Kidnapping in the first degree;
(K) Kidnapping in the second degree;
(L) Rape in the first degree;
(M) Sodomy in the first degree;
(N) Unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree;
(O) Robber
161.327 Commitment or conditional release of person found guilty except for insanity of felony; consultation; evaluation; appeal; rules. (1) After the defendant is found guilty except for insanity pursuant to ORS 161.319, if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a person found guilty except for insanity of a felony is affected by a qualifying mental disorder and presents a substantial danger to others, the court shall order as follows:
(a) If the court finds that the person is not a proper subject for conditional release, the court shall order the person committed to a state hospital or, if the person is under 18 years of age, to a secure intensive community inpatient facility for custody, care and treatment. When the court orders a person committed under this paragraph, the court shall place the person under the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board.
(b) If the court finds that the person can be adequately controlled with supervision and treatment if conditionally released and that necessary supervision and treatment are available, the court shall order the person conditionally released.
(2)(a) If a party intends to request conditional release under this section, the party shall, as soon as practicable, notify the opposing party, the court and the board of the request. The party requesting conditional release shall make every effort to provide the notification in a manner that allows sufficient time to carry out the provisions described in this subsection before the court determination on conditional release.
(b) Upon receipt of a request for conditional release under this section:
(A) If the most serious offense in the charging instrument is a Class C felony, the court shall order that a local mental health program designated by
161.332 “Conditional release” defined. As used in ORS 161.315 to 161.351 and 161.385 to 161.395, “conditional release” includes, but is not limited to, the monitoring of mental and physical health treatment. [1977 c.380 §1; 1983 c.800 §8; 2011 c.708 §11a; 2017 c.442 §11]
161.336 Conditional release by board; order for return; termination or modification of conditional release; hearing. (1)(a) When a person is conditionally released under ORS 161.315 to 161.351, the person is subject to those supervisory orders of the Psychiatric Security Review Board as are in the best interests of justice, the protection of society and the welfare of the person.
(b) An order of conditional release entered by the board may designate any person or state, county or local agency capable of supervising the person upon release, subject to the conditions described in the order of conditional release.
(c) Prior to the designation, the board shall notify the person or state, county or local agency to whom conditional release is contemplated and provide the person or state, county or local agency an opportunity to be heard.
(d) After receiving an order entered under this section, the person or state, county or local agency designated in the order shall assume supervision of the person in accordance with the conditions described in the order and any modifications of the conditions ordered by the board.
(2) Conditions of release contained in orders entered under this section may be modified from time to time and conditional releases may be terminated as provided in ORS 161.351.
(3)(a) As a condition of release, the person may be required to report to any state or local mental health facility for evaluation. Whenever medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment is recommended, the order may require the person, as a condition of release, to cooperate with and accept the treatment from the facility.
(b) The facility to which the person has been referred for evaluation shall perform the evaluation and submit a written report of its findings to the board. If t
161.341 Application for discharge or conditional release; release plan; examination; right to hearing. (1) If at any time after a person is committed under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 to a state hospital or a secure intensive community inpatient facility, the superintendent of the hospital or the director of the secure intensive community inpatient facility is of the opinion that the person is no longer affected by a qualifying mental disorder, or, if so affected, no longer presents a substantial danger to others or that the person continues to be affected by a qualifying mental disorder and continues to be a danger to others, but that the person can be controlled with proper care, medication, supervision and treatment if conditionally released, the superintendent or director shall apply to the Psychiatric Security Review Board for an order of discharge or conditional release. The application shall be accompanied by a report setting forth the facts supporting the opinion of the superintendent or director. If the application is for conditional release, the application must be accompanied by a verified conditional release plan. The board shall hold a hearing on the application within 60 days of its receipt. Not less than 20 days prior to the hearing before the board, copies of the report shall be sent to the Attorney General.
(2) The attorney representing the state may choose a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist to examine the person prior to the initial or any later decision by the board on discharge or conditional release. The results of the examination shall be in writing and filed with the board, and shall include, but need not be limited to, an opinion as to the mental condition of the person, whether the person presents a substantial danger to others and whether the
161.346 Hearings on discharge, conditional release, commitment or modification; psychiatric reports; notice of hearing. (1) When the Psychiatric Security Review Board conducts a hearing under ORS 161.315 to 161.351, the board shall enter an order and make findings in support of the order. If the board finds that a person under the jurisdiction of the board:
(a) Is no longer affected by a qualifying mental disorder, or, if so affected, no longer presents a substantial danger to others, the board shall order the person discharged from commitment and conditional release.
(b) Is still affected by a qualifying mental disorder and is a substantial danger to others, but can be controlled adequately if conditionally released with treatment as a condition of release, the board shall order the person conditionally released as provided in ORS 161.336.
(c) Has not recovered from the qualifying mental disorder, is a substantial danger to others and cannot adequately be controlled if conditionally released on supervision, the board shall order the person committed to, or retained in, a state hospital, or if the person is under 18 years of age, a secure intensive community inpatient facility, for care, custody and treatment.
(2) To assist the board in making the determination described in subsection (1) of this section, the board may, at any time, appoint a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist to examine the person and to submit a report to the board. The report must include an opinion as to the mental condition of the person, whether the person presents a substantial danger to others and whether the person could be adequately controlled with treatment as a condition of release.
(3) The board may make the determination regarding discharge or conditional release based upon the wr
161.348 Judicial review. (1) When a person over whom the Psychiatric Security Review Board exercises jurisdiction under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 is adversely affected or aggrieved by a final order of the board, the person is entitled to judicial review of the final order. The person is entitled on judicial review to suitable counsel possessing skills and experience commensurate with the nature and complexity of the case. If the person is financially eligible, suitable counsel shall be appointed by the reviewing court in the manner provided in ORS 138.500 (1). If the person is financially eligible, the executive director of the Oregon Public Defense Commission shall determine and pay, as provided in ORS 138.500, the cost of briefs, any other expenses of the person necessary to the review and compensation for counsel appointed for the person. The costs, expenses and compensation so allowed shall be paid as provided in ORS 138.500.
(2) The order and the proceedings underlying the order are subject to review by the Court of Appeals upon petition to that court filed within 60 days of the order for which review is sought. The board shall submit to the court the record of the proceeding or, if the person agrees, a shortened record. The record may include a certified true copy of a tape recording of the proceedings at a hearing in accordance with ORS 161.346. A copy of the record transmitted shall be delivered to the person by the board.
(3) The court may affirm, reverse or remand the order on the same basis as provided in ORS 183.482 (8).
(4) The filing of the petition does not stay the order of the board, but the board or the Court of Appeals may order a stay upon application on such terms as are deemed proper. [2011 c.708 §9; 2017 c.442 §8; 2023 c.281 §42; 2025 c.56 §12]
161.349 Person committed under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 sentenced to term of incarceration. (1) When a person who is committed to a state hospital or a secure intensive community inpatient facility under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 is convicted of a crime and sentenced to a term of incarceration and when the person is sentenced to a term of incarceration as a sanction for violating the conditions of probation, parole or post-prison supervision, the sentencing court shall stay execution of the sentence pending the conditional release or discharge of the person or the expiration of the period of time described in ORS 161.327 (7). When the person is conditionally released or discharged by the Psychiatric Security Review Board under ORS 161.315 to 161.351, or when the maximum period of jurisdiction described in ORS 161.327 (7) expires, the stay shall be lifted by operation of law and the person shall be delivered to the custody of the Department of Corrections or the supervisory authority to begin service of the sentence imposed.
(2) When a person described in subsection (1) of this section is delivered to the custody of the department or the supervisory authority as described in this section, the board shall notify the department or the supervisory authority when the period of time described in ORS 161.327 (7) will expire.
(3) The department or supervisory authority shall notify the board when the person has served the term of incarceration imposed by the court and the board shall resume exercising active jurisdiction over the person in accordance with ORS 161.315 to 161.351.
(4) As used in this section, “supervisory authority” has the meaning given that term in ORS 144.087. [2011 c.708 §15; 2011 c.708 §39; 2017 c.442 §13; 2021 c.483 §4]
161.351 Discharge by board; effect of remission; protection of society. (1) Any person placed under the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board under ORS 161.315 to 161.351 shall be discharged at such time as the board, upon a hearing, finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the person is no longer affected by a qualifying mental disorder or, if so affected, no longer presents a substantial danger to others that requires regular medical care, medication, supervision or treatment.
(2) For purposes of ORS 161.315 to 161.351, a person affected by a qualifying mental disorder in a state of remission is considered to have a qualifying mental disorder. A person whose qualifying mental disorder may, with reasonable medical probability, occasionally become active and when it becomes active will render the person a danger to others may not be discharged. The person shall continue under supervision and treatment necessary to protect the person and others.
(3) In determining whether a person should be committed to a state hospital or secure intensive community inpatient facility, conditionally released or discharged, the board shall have as its primary concern the protection of society. [1977 c.380 §17 (enacted in lieu of 161.350); 1981 c.711 §13; 1985 c.192 §4; 1989 c.49 §1; 2011 c.708 §4; 2017 c.442 §5; 2017 c.634 §13]