SB 1550 — Relating to scrutinizing death.
Last action — In committee upon adjournment.
-
✓Introduced
-
2In Committee
-
3Passed Senate
-
4Passed House
-
5To Executive
-
6Enacted
This bill died with 2026 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Summary
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>.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
240 added · 226 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent changes to Bill SB 1550 clarify procedures for investigating deaths that may be connected to domestic violence or child abuse. Specifically, the bill now emphasizes that law enforcement must consult with the Chief Medical Examiner before releasing a deceased individual's body and mandates further examination if there's reason to suspect homicide. This is significant because it aims to ensure thorough investigations and better protect the rights of victims and their families by preventing premature conclusions about the cause of death.
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2026 Regular Session A-Engrossed Senate Bill 1550 Ordered by the Senate February 19 Including Senate Amendments dated February 19 Sponsored by Senator GELSER BLOUIN, Representative NOSSE, Senators MEEK, MANNING JR, PROZANSKI;
It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the measuremeasure. as introduced.
Directs law[law enforcement,enforcement] 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,sui- overdosecide, [overdose or] accident or accident,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.
Requires[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.] [Directs a medical examiner or district attorney to order the performance of an autopsy in certain circumstances.] 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 athe medicalChief examinerMedical orExaminer district attorney to orderengage thein performancecollaborative ofconsultation anregarding autopsyappropriate inactions cer-to taintake. circumstances.
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.
Requires law enforcement to provide notice of rights to certain members of the decedent’s family upon opening an investigation of a death that is suspected to have been caused by suicide,suicide[, overdose or accident.accident] or occurred under suspicious circumstances.
and Whereas federal law provides family members of homicide victims the right to obtain informa- tion,NOTE: access victim services and request an independent review of initial findings or the investigation of the death of a family member in case under federal jurisdiction;
and Whereas it is the intent of the Legislative Assembly to provide victim services and support to family members in suspicious death cases and to support family members who seek a second opinion on the death of their loved one whenever practicable at no cost to any public agency;
now, there- fore, Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
NOTE:
LC 64 SBA-Eng. 1550 DEFINITIONS 3 SECTION 1.
SB 1550 tion, access victim services and request an independent review of initial findings or the investigation of the death of a family member in case under federal jurisdiction;
and Whereas it is the intent of the Legislative Assembly to provide victim services and support to family members in suspicious death cases and to support family members who seek a second opinion on the death of their loved one whenever practicable at no cost to any public agency;
now, there- fore, Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
9 DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.
(6) “Law“Family enforcementor agency”household meansmember” ahas countythe sheriff’smeaning office,given municipalthat policeterm department,in po- lice department established by a university under ORS 352.121135.230. or 353.125 and the Oregon State Po- lice.
[(6)] (7) “Legal“Law intervention”enforcement includesagency” anmeans executiona pursuantcounty tosheriff’s ORSoffice, 137.463,municipal 137.467police anddepartment, 137.473police anddepartment otherestablished legalby usea ofuniversity forceunder resultingORS in352.121 death.or 353.125 and the Oregon State Police.
[(7)] (8) “Manner“Legal ofintervention” death”includes meansan theexecution designationpursuant ofto theORS probable137.463, mode137.467 ofand production137.473 ofand theother causelegal use of death,force includingresulting natural,in accidental,death. suicidal, homicidal, legal intervention or undetermined.
[(8)] (9) “Medical“Manner examiner”of death” means athe physiciandesignation licensedof underthe ORSprobable chaptermode 677,of physicianproduction associateof licensed under ORS 677.505 to 677.525 or nurse practitioner licensed under ORS 678.375 to 678.390 appointed as provided by ORS 146.003 to 146.189 to investigate and certify the cause andof mannerdeath, ofincluding deathsnatural, requiringaccidental, investigation,suicidal, includinghomicidal, thelegal Chiefintervention Medicalor Examiner.undetermined.
[(9)] (10) “Medical-legal“Medical deathexaminer” investigator” means a personphysician licensed under ORS chapter 677, physician as- sociate licensed under ORS 677.505 to 677.525 or nurse practitioner licensed under ORS 678.375 to 678.390 appointed byas theprovided districtby medicalORS exam-146.003 inerto 146.189 to assistinvestigate inand certify the investigationcause and manner of deaths withinrequiring ainvestigation, county.including the Chief Medical Examiner.
[(10)] (11) “Partner”“Medical-legal death investigator” means a decedent’sperson spouse,appointed formerby spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, parent of the decedent’sdistrict childmedical orexaminer anyto individualassist within whom the decedentinvestigation hadof adeaths romanticwithin re-a lationshipcounty. or engagement for marriage.
[(12)] (13) “Unidentified human remains” does not include human remains that are unidentified human remains that are part of an archaeological site or suspected of being Native American and covered[2] underA-Eng. ORS chapters 97 and 390 and ORS 358.905 to 358.961.
LAWSB ENFORCEMENT1550 INVESTIGATIONcovered OFunder SUSPICIOUSORS DEATHS;chapters 97 and 390 and ORS 358.905 to 358.961.
MANDATORY3 FAMILYLAW INTERVIEWSENFORCEMENT ANDINVESTIGATION AUTOPSYOF REQUESTSSUSPICIOUS SECTIONDEATHS; 2.
SectionMANDATORY 3FAMILY ofINTERVIEWS thisAND 2026AUTOPSY ActREQUESTS is6 addedSECTION to2. and made a part of ORS 146.003 to [2] SB 1550 146.189.
Section 3 of this 2026 Act is added to and made a part of ORS 146.003 to 146.189.
(1) IfAs aused decedentin whothis issection, suspected“investigator” tomeans have died from suicide, overdose or accident has previously been identified as a victimmedical-legal ofdeath domesticin- violencevestigator, orassistant actualdistrict ormedical sus-examiner, pecteddistrict childmedical abuseexaminer in police reports, reports made to or by government agencies, writings or photographs, restraining order declarations, eyewitness statements or other evidence, an investigator or officer employed by a law enforcement agencyagency. shall, prior to making any findings as to the cause or manner of death, interview family members of the decedent who have information relevant to the domestic violence or child abuse upon the occurrence of three or more of the following conditions:
(2) An investigator who is investigating the death of a decedent shall follow the proce- dures set forth in subsections (3) and (4) of this section if the decedent:
(a) Is suspected to have died from suicide, accident or other undetermined cause;
and (b)(A) There is information, evidence or circumstances known to or made available to the investigator that the decedent was, or was alleged to have been, a victim of:
(i) Domestic violence;
or (ii) Actual or suspected child abuse.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, information, evidence or cir- cumstances known or made available to the investigator may include but need not be limited to information provided to the investigator by those familiar with the decedent or with cir- cumstances about the decedent, writings or photographs created by the decedent or others, restraining order declarations, eyewitness statements, police reports, reports made to gov- ernment agencies or other evidence.
(3) If the factors set forth in subsection (2) of this section are present, the investigator shall then determine whether three or more of the following conditions are present:
(b) The scene of death suggests the appearance of death by suicide, overdoseaccident or accident.other undetermined cause.
(c) The decedent was in a romantic relationship in which one of the decedentpersons orin the partnerre- lationship wanted the relationship to end.
(d) The decedent hashad a known or documented history as a victim of domestic violence, including coerciveintimidation, con-isolation trol.or coercive control.
(e) The decedent iswas a minor child with a known or documented history as a victim of child abuse, or the subject of a report of suspected child abuse, within the past 12 monthsmonths. and was found by a parent, guardian or caregiver who is the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such abuse.
Show all 80 changed lines (40 more)
(f) The decedent iswas found dead in a home or place of residence.
(g) The decedent iswas found by thea partner.family or household member.
(h) The decedent hashad a history as a victim of domesticstrangulation, violence,choking including strangulation or suffocation.
(i) The decedent iswas last seen alive by thea partner,family or household member, the child of the decedent, the child of thea partnerfamily or household member or, if the decedent iswas a minor child as described in paragraph (e) of this sub-subsection, section, the child’s parent, guardian or caregiver who was the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such abuse.
(j) TheA partnerfamily or household member had control of the scene of death before law enforcementenforce- ment arrived or, if the decedent iswas a minor child as described in paragraph (e) of this subsection, the child’s parent, guardian or caregiver who was the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such abuse had control of the scene of death before law enforcement arrived.
(k)[3] TheA-Eng. body of the decedent has been moved from the location where death occurred or the scene of death or other evidence otherwise appears altered.
(2)SB If1550 an(k) investigatorThe orbody officerof employed by a law enforcement agency determines a reasonable basis exists to suspect that the deathdecedent ofwas amoved decedent,from as described in subsection (1) of this section, may be the resultlocation ofwhere domesticdeath violenceoccurred, or child abuse, the investigatorscene orof officer shall submit a written request to the district medical examiner for the county where the death occurredor forother theevidence performanceappears ofaltered, anmodified autopsyor understaged. ORS 146.117.
(4) If the factors and conditions set forth in subsections (2) and (3) of this section are present, prior to an officer employed by a law enforcement agency reporting the death as being likely a suicide or an accident to a medical-legal death investigator and prior to a medical-legal death investigator making any findings as to the cause or manner of death, the investigator shall:
(a) Review any documented evidence of historical abuse;
and (b) Interview family members of the decedent who have information relevant to the do- mestic violence or child abuse documented in the records or evidence described in subsection (2) of this section.
(5) If, after taking the actions described in subsections (2) to (4) of this section, an officer employed by a law enforcement agency or the district medical examiner determines that a reasonable basis exists to suspect that the death of the decedent, as described in subsection (2) of this section, may be a homicide that is the result of domestic violence or child abuse, the officer or district medical examiner shall contact the Office of the Chief Medical Exam- iner to request further post-mortem examination of the body of the decedent and to consult with the office regarding additional appropriate actions related to the potential homicide.
(6) The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shall respond to the request described in subsection (5) of this section without undue delay and shall engage in a collaborative con- sultation regarding appropriate actions related to the potential homicide.
The consultation may include a request from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the officer or dis- trict medical examiner to gather and provide additional information to inform recommen- dations.
(7) The body of the decedent may not be released until after the consultation described in subsection (6) has occurred, any requested additional information has been provided and all recommendations of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have been completed.
This authorization for an autopsy shall permit the pathologist to re- move and retain body tissues or organs from the deceased for the purpose of the legal or medical determination of the manner or cause of death, or other purposes approved under policies estab- [3] SB 1550 lished by the State Medical Examiner Advisory Board.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, afollowing medicalthe examinerconsultation ordescribed districtin at-section torney3 shallof orderthis the2026 performanceAct ofregarding ana autopsydecedent inwho anythere deathis upona receiptreasonable ofbasis ato writtensuspect re-may questhave asdied describeddue into sectiona 3homicide (2)related ofto thisdomestic 2026violence Actor or,child ifabuse, the deathdistrict appearsattorney toor bea duestate tomedical suicide,examiner overdosemay ororder accident, upon the occurrenceperformance of threeappropriate orpost-mortem moreassessments, ofincluding thebut followingnot condi-limited tions:to pathology, imaging or autopsy.
(A) The decedent died prematurely or in an untimely manner.
(B) The scene of death suggests the appearance of death by suicide, overdose or accident.
(C) The decedent was in a romantic relationship in which the decedent or the partner wanted the relationship to end.
(D) The decedent has a history as a victim of domestic violence, including coercive con- trol.
(E) The decedent is a minor child with a history as a victim of child abuse, or the subject of a report of suspected child abuse, within the past 12 months and was found by a parent, guardian or caregiver who is the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such abuse.
(F) The decedent is found dead in a home or place of residence.
(G) The decedent is found by the partner.
(H) The decedent has a history as a victim of domestic violence, including strangulation or suffocation.
(I) The decedent is last seen alive by the partner, the child of the decedent, the child of the partner or, if the decedent is a minor child as described in subparagraph (E) of this paragraph, the child’s parent, guardian or caregiver who was the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such abuse.
(J) The partner had control of the scene of death before law enforcement arrived or, if the decedent is a minor child as described in subparagraph (E) of this paragraph, the child’s parent, guardian or caregiver who was the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such abuse had control of the scene of death before law enforcement arrived.
(K) The body of the decedent has been moved from the location where death occurred or the scene of death or other evidence otherwise appears altered.
RIGHT[4] TOA-Eng. EXAMINE RECORDS SECTION 5.
SB 1550 RIGHT TO EXAMINE RECORDS 3 SECTION 5.
[4] SB 1550 (b) Maintain an accurate list of all active district medical examiners, assistant district medical examiners and designated pathologists.
(a) Any parent, spouse, sibling, child or personal representative of the deceased, or any person who may be criminally or civilly liable for the death, or their authorized representatives respec- tively, may examine and obtain copies of any:any medical examiner’s report, autopsy report or labora- tory test report ordered by a medical examiner under ORS 146.117.
(A)(b)(A) MedicalExcept examiner’sas report,provided autopsyin reportsubparagraph or(B) laboratoryof testthis reportparagraph, orderedif byan ainvestigating law enforcement agency has closed the criminal investigation and the medical examiner underfinds ORSthat 146.117.the manner of death is not homicide and closes the case, any parent, spouse, sibling, child or personal representative of the deceased may examine and obtain without undue de- lay:
(B)(i) Photographs,Copies images,of negatives,any printsevidence or video,records includingrelated bodyto camera video, of the body,deceased’s orcase anythat portionare ofin the body,cus- tody of the deceasedlaw generatedenforcement duringagency an autopsy by a desig- nated pathologist or investigation by a district medical examiner,examiner; assistant district medical examiner, medical-legal death investigator or employee of a law enforcement agency.
(b)(A)and Except(ii) asPhotographs, providedimages, innegatives, subparagraphprints (B)or ofvideo, thisincluding paragraph,body ifcamera avideo, lawof enforcementthe agencybody, or medicalany examinerportion finds that the manner of death is not homicide and closes the case,body, any parent, spouse, sibling, child or personal representative of the deceased maythat ex-was aminegenerated andduring obtainan withoutautopsy undueby delaya copiesdesignated ofpathologist, any evidence or recordsthat relatedwas togenerated theduring deceased’s case in the custodyinvestigation ofby thea lawdistrict enforcement agency or medical examinerexaminer, forassistant thedistrict purposemedical ofexaminer, seekingmedical-legal andeath independentinvestigator reviewor employee of thea mannerlaw andenforcement causeagency. of death.
(i) Require a law enforcement agency or medical examiner to provide evidence or records if providing such evidence or records would compromise a pending investigation.
NOTICE OF RIGHTS TO DECEDENT’S FAMILY SECTION[5] 6.A-Eng.
SB 1550 SECTION 6.
(1) Upon opening an investigation into the death of a decedent who is sus- pected to have died from suicide,suicide overdose or accident,under suspicious circumstances, a law enforcement agency shall pro-provide vide written notice to known members of the decedent’s family of the law and procedure for:
(d) A law enforcement agency to determine whether family or household members of the decedent must be interviewed under section 3 of this 2026 Act.
(2) If a decedent who is suspected to have died from suicide, overdoseaccident or accidentother hasundeter- [5]mined SBcause 1550has previously been identified as or alleged to have been a victim of domestic violenceviolence, or has previously been identified as a victim of actual or suspected child abuse in police reports, reports made to or by government agencies, writings or photographs, re- straining order declarations, eyewitness statements or other evidence, a law enforcement agency shall provide the written notice required under subsection (1) of this section to:
Show all 80 changed rows (40 more)
View plain text versions (3)
- Engrossed A-Engrossed Current pdf
- Introduced View text pdf
- Introduced Senate Amendments to Introduced pdf
Amendments
1 amendmentClick Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.
Action History
-
In committee upon adjournment.
-
Referred to Ways and Means by order of the President.
-
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means. (Printed A-Eng.)
-
Work Session held.
-
Public Hearing held.
-
Informational Meeting scheduled.
-
Referred to Judiciary.
-
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
Sponsors
- James Manning Jr. · Primary
- Jules Walters · Cosponsor
- Sarah McDonald · Cosponsor
- April Dobson · Cosponsor
- Suzanne Weber · Cosponsor
- Anthony Broadman · Cosponsor
- Floyd Prozanski · Primary
- Mark Meek · Primary
- Rob Nosse · Primary
- Sara Gelser Blouin · Primary
- Courtney Neron Misslin · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →5 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 79 not signed on
Sponsors (5)
- James Manning Jr. Democrat
- Floyd Prozanski Democrat
- Mark Meek Democrat
- Rob Nosse Democrat
- Sara Gelser Blouin Democrat
Co-sponsors (6)
- Jules Walters Democrat
- Sarah McDonald Democrat
- April Dobson Democrat
- Suzanne Weber Republican
- Anthony Broadman Democrat
- Courtney Neron Misslin Democrat
Not signed on (79)
79 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 79 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (6)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Broadman | Democrat | Yea |
| Floyd Prozanski | Democrat | Yea |
| James Manning Jr. | Democrat | Yea |
| Sara Gelser Blouin | Democrat | Yea |
| Kim Thatcher | Republican | Yea |
| Mike McLane | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 1550 do?
- 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>.
- Who sponsors SB 1550?
- SB 1550 is sponsored by James Manning Jr. (Democrat), Jules Walters (Democrat), Sarah McDonald (Democrat), April Dobson (Democrat), Suzanne Weber (Republican), Anthony Broadman (Democrat), Floyd Prozanski (Democrat), Mark Meek (Democrat), Rob Nosse (Democrat), Sara Gelser Blouin (Democrat), and Courtney Neron Misslin (Democrat).
- What is the current status of SB 1550?
- This bill died with 2026 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track SB 1550?
- Track SB 1550 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on SB 1550
Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.
Stay ahead of SB 1550
Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously
One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.
Track this bill →