Dear John,
I have a quick but important update for you.
Oregon’s legislative session is quickly coming to an end. Throughout the session, Oregon Right to Life has been active in introducing and supporting pro-life bills and fighting dangerous ones – like the radical assisted suicide expansion bill (SB 1003).
Recently, we reached out asking for your support to help us defeat SB 1003, and you stepped up – big time! We’ve now raised over $8,200 to cover the costs of rallying pro-life opposition, putting us within striking distance of our $10,000 goal. Thank you so much for your support. If you’d like to contribute to help us meet that goal, we would greatly appreciate it! Click here to give. This will be used for any urgent action needed in the next 12 days.
From start to finish this session, you’ve been right there with us, holding our elected representatives accountable and speaking up for those who cannot represent themselves. You’ve sent hundreds of emails, called lawmakers, and showed up to our pro-life lobby day and the first public hearing for SB 1003.
Now, as we continue to keep a watchful eye on the legislature (bills can and do get picked up and advanced quickly with just days left to go before the end of session), here’s a quick update on the status of three of the dangerous bills we’re watching:
SB 1003
Impact: Expands assisted suicide
- As amended, adjusts current language from “physician” to “provider,” opening the door to later legislation that would allow non-physicians to prescribe lethal drugs
- Reduces waiting period from 15 days to 7 days. Even the 7 day waiting period could be waived if the patient is likely to die within 48 hours, something already happening under current law
- Requires hospitals, hospice centers, and assisted living facilities to advertise to patients, in writing or online, their provision of assisted suicide or lack thereof before admission.
- Changes definition of terminal illness to remove “incurable or irreversible”
Location: Joint Ways & Means Committee, no assigned subcommittee at this time
Next Event: Work Session, not scheduled at this time
SB 844
Impact: Among many unrelated policy changes, shields abortion providers from malpractice suits
- Explicitly blocks information concerning regulatory or enforcement functions of reproductive or “gender-affirming health care” services from being shared with law enforcement.
- If enacted, this law would shield certain medical services – including abortion – from reports of malpractice.
Location: Senate President’s Desk
Next Event: Second reading, followed by third reading and vote on senate floor, not scheduled at this time
SB 822
Impact: Forces health insurance companies to include abortion providers
- SB 822 mandates health insurance companies include abortion providers, along with practitioners of other controversial procedures like “gender-affirming care,” in their networks.
- The bill aims to expand abortion access statewide and raises serious religious liberty and conscience protection concerns.
Location: Joint Ways & Means Committee, no assigned subcommittee at this time
Next/Current Event: Work session, not scheduled at this time
Meanwhile, this legislative session hasn’t been all about identifying and opposing dangerous bills. We’ve also seen some excellent pro-life legislation.
HB 2019, a bill to establish Oregon Adoption Day, presented by Representative Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville), passed this session with unanimous bipartisan support.
- This is a celebratory step that underscores the value of adoption as a life-affirming option for children and families; a positive reminder that, even in a polarized political climate, there is still room for unity around compassion and human dignity.
In addition, pro-life legislators came together to create a strong slate of pro-life legislation inspired by our message: Support Her. Protect Them. These bills offered meaningful policy solutions to support women, protect unborn children, and provide real alternatives to abortion.
While these bills sadly did not advance this session, their presence laid the groundwork for future advocacy and helped shift the conversation toward what a truly compassionate culture of life could look like in Oregon.
Thank you for being with us – with your advocacy, financial support, and prayers – as we work to enshrine protections for the unborn and medically vulnerable, defeat dangerous proposals, and strive together for an Oregon that values and safeguards every human life.
Because everyone deserves an advocate,
Lois Anderson
Executive Director
P.S. Please consider giving to help us defeat SB 1003. Your support makes our quick action possible! Click here to give today.
