Old favorites and a lot of new material are included in the latest slew of more than 30 bills proposed Oregon Rep. Bill Post and state Sen. Kim Thatcher.
Abortion, pseudoephedrine and splitting lanes on motorcycles are some of the repeats in Post’s repertoire while voter registration, safe haven laws and emergency medical treatment of K9 officers are also on his mind headed into a long session later this month.
Because of security concerns over the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden, state legislators are slow-walking the beginning of the session. The state capital building has been the site of numerous protests in the past year and there were threats of violence at most state capital buildings as recently as last week. The session would normally have kicked off Jan. 19 but was postponed to Friday, Jan. 22.
Familiar bills on Thatcher’s playlist include reciprocity for concealed handgun owners from other states, abortion and transparency. Newer items include canceling a portion of fees and tuition for foster parents putting charges through college, requiring health care providers to provide additional information when vaccines are administered and creating new penalties for “patronizing” a trafficked child.
While there is no guarantee any of the bills will make it to a vote during the session, the proposals provide some insight into what’s on the legislators’ minds.
With HB 2647, Post is seeks to limit the state’s responsibility to reimburse for abortion procedures unless the pregnancy endangers the parent or is the result of rape or incest. It would also require the Oregon Health Authority to establish a grant program for the purposes of encouraging and assisting pregnant persons to carry to term. The changes would need to meet with voter approval in 2022.
Post will try again to gain approval for over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine with HB 2648, a perennial effort for the Keizerite. Senate Bill (SB) 574, which Post is listed a chief sponsor of, would allow motorcycles to travel between lanes during slowdowns.
In newer efforts by post, HB 2463 would modify safe haven laws to include leaving newborns in appropriate safety devices and permit authorized facilities to install such devices while setting standards for them. HB 2651 would require voters registering at the same time they receive or renew their driver’s license to register further in advance, 30 days instead of 21 days, before taking part in an upcoming election. Post’s HB 2650 authorizes emergency medical services to transport or treat police dogs injured in the line of duty, provided that the treatment does not interfere with that of human patients.
Thatcher’s proposal include honoring concealed carry licenses for residents of states that honor Oregon concealed carry licenses (SB 503), and SB 500 would make the office of public records advocate an independent office. Establishes a permanent source of funding through the state treasury.
Thatcher is listed as a chief sponsor on two bills that would affect abortion procedures in the state. SB 507 would prohibit abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy. Provides for exceptions in cases of medical emergency while SB 586 requires health care providers to attempt to preserve the life of a Thatcher’s; SB 505 requires care providers to provide a vaccine information packet to patients and requires the OHA to maintain a website providing specific vaccine information; and SB 508 creates specific penalties for patronizing a trafficked child (under 18) while adding the charge to those available under child abuse and racketeering statutes.