l9n/ Oregon

2026 Regular Session

Senate Bill 1550

Directs specified investigators of deaths of decedents, prior to making any findings as to the cause or manner of death where the decedent is suspected to have died from suicide, accident or other undetermined cause, to review documented evidence of abuse and interview family members of the decedent if the decedent has a history as a victim of domestic violence or child abuse and certain conditions exist.

Did not become law. It stopped in the Senate's Ways and Means Committee on March 6, 2026.

What it does

The synopsis the Legislative Assembly published with the bill.

Digest: This Act changes laws related to what government must do after a person dies in some situations. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.1). Directs [<i>law enforcement</i>]<b> specified investigators of deaths of decedents</b>, prior to making any findings as to the cause or manner of death where the decedent is suspected to have died from suicide, [<i>overdose or</i>] accident<b> or other undetermined cause</b>, to<b> review documented evidence of abuse and</b> interview family members of the decedent if the decedent has a history as a victim of domestic violence or child abuse and certain conditions exist. [<i>Requires law enforcement to submit a written request to the district medical examiner for the performance of an autopsy if a reasonable basis exists that the death of the decedent may be the result of domestic violence or child abuse.</i>] [<i>Directs a medical examiner or district attorney to order the performance of an autopsy in certain circumstances.</i>] <b>Directs the law enforcement officer or district medical examiner to request further post-mortem examination of the decedent if a reasonable basis exists to suspect the death is a homicide due to domestic violence or child abuse. Directs the Chief Medical Examiner to engage in collaborative consultation regarding appropriate actions to take. Prohibits the release of the body of the decedent until the consultation has occurred and recommended actions have been completed. Authorizes appropriate post-mortem assessments.</b> Provides that certain individuals may examine and obtain copies of evidence generated during an autopsy or investigation of death. Requires law enforcement to provide notice of rights to certain members of the decedent's family upon opening an investigation of <b>a</b> death that is suspected to have been caused by suicide[<i>, overdose or accident</i>]<b> or occurred under suspicious circumstances</b>.

Sponsors

Who carried the bill in each chamber, and who signed on. Each name leads to the member's page.

In the Senate

3 co-sponsors

Anthony Broadman, Suzanne Weber, Courtney Neron Misslin

In the House of Representatives

3 co-sponsors

April Dobson, Sarah McDonald, Jules Walters

Its course

February 2 to March 6, 2026, on one scale. In the top row each mark is a day something happened; taller marks are busier days.

Each committee stop sits inside its chamber.

Every action8 actions on 5 days

In the SenateFeb 2 to Mar 6 · stopped32 days

Waiting for a committeeFeb 2 to Feb 20 days

JudiciaryFeb 2 to Feb 1917 days

Ways and MeansFeb 19 to Mar 6 · stopped15 days

Amendments

Each amendment offered, and what became of it.

  • Senate committee amendmentAdopted

    Adopted Feb 19

Text

Each version as the Legislative Assembly printed it.

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

What happened

In l9n's words, one line for each step. Every action as the Legislative Assembly published it is below.

In the Senate Feb 2 – Mar 6

  1. Feb 2Introduced
  2. Sent to Judiciary
  3. Feb 4Heard in Judiciary
  4. Feb 16Heard in Judiciary
  5. Feb 19Judiciary recommended it as amended, and that it go to Ways and Means
  6. Sent to Ways and Means
  7. Mar 6Died when the session ended
All 8 actions, as published
  1. Feb 2Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.Senate
  2. Feb 2Referred to Judiciary.Senate
  3. Feb 2Informational Meeting scheduled.Senate
  4. Feb 4Public Hearing held.Senate
  5. Feb 16Work Session held.Senate
  6. Feb 19Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means. (Printed A-Eng.)Senate
  7. Feb 19Referred to Ways and Means by order of the President.Senate
  8. Mar 6In committee upon adjournment.Senate