SALEM, Ore.-- A new bill in the state senate would create staffing ratios in Oregon's long-term care facilities.

Senator James Manning co-authored the bill after recent staffing problems came to light at two Lane County long-term care facilities. The bill is currently in the Senate Committee on Human Services, Mental Health, and Recovery. If signed into law, the Oregon Department of Humans Services would create a standard ratio of caretakers to residents based on each facility's needs.

Senator Manning said in a perfect world, he would like to see a one-to-one ratio, but in reality, he's hoping most facilities would have a one-to-three ratio.

Staffing problems were first highlighted at the Junction City Retirement Home and Assisted Living Community during a power outage in October of last year. Then in February of this year, caregivers at the Rawlin in Springfield protested working conditions claiming there were not enough staff to care for residents.

Senator Manning said after the power outage in Junction City, he became committed to improving the lives of residents in long-term care facilities.

"We're going to fix this we're going to pass a statewide standard that's going to hold people accountable," Senator Manning said. "People should not have suffered in facilities because of the lack of staffing levels or the lack of the basic necessities they had agreed upon when they signed their contracts."