HB 3037 A a bill that seeks to support post-vention services related to youth suicide, one of AOC’s 2021 legislative priorities, has moved to the third reading list in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Currently, if a youth attempts suicide in one county and is transported to another county’s hospital, the second county is responsible for declaring the cause of death. Statute does not allow for the medical examiner to notify the home county of the cause of death. 

This statutory structure creates a barrier for the home county, which would take action locally to launch a trauma-informed post-vention plan, mandated by 2015 legislation (SB 561).

HB 3037 A remedies the obstacles currently in statute allowing counties to share information when a youth suicide occurs in a county other than the individual’s home county. 

AOC staff submitted written testimony in support of the bill for the public hearing held in the House Committee on Behavioral Health. Lane and Multnomah counties as well as Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs (AOCMHP) submitted testimony in support of the bill. 

If the bill passes the House, it will next move to the Senate for committee assignment. However, due to a recent positive COVID-19 test of someone who was interacting on the House floor, the Oregon State House of Representatives has halted floor sessions for the time being. Date of return and vote is currently uncertain.

Contributed by: Lizzy Atwood Wills | Legislative Affairs Manager