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Committee advances bill to name Oct. 9 Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Day after family testimony
Summary
The Rules Committee advanced House Bill 3643 to the Senate floor after extensive testimony from Representative Lucetta Elmer and family members of a McMinnville teen who died by suicide. Witnesses urged designation of October 9 to raise awareness and reduce stigma; the committee voted to advance the bill with a due-pass recommendation.
SALEM, Ore. — The Senate Committee on Rules on May 19 advanced House Bill 3643, which would designate October 9 of each year as Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Day, following emotional testimony from lawmakers, family members and students.
Representative Lucetta Elmer (House District 24) introduced the bill in memory of two McMinnville teens who died on October 9, 2024, and cited statistics about youth suicide during her testimony, attributing the figures to her research while urging legislative action. “Oregon has the twelfth highest youth suicide rate in the nation,” Elmer said during her remarks, and she said suicide remains the second leading cause of death nationally among people ages 5 to 24.
Family and student testimony
Katie Morris and Kim Morris, family members of Michael (Mikalyn) Morris, gave extended testimony about the local impact of the death and the family’s efforts to reduce stigma and support students. Katie Morris described how grief has affected the family and asked the committee to “help end suicide, especially by our youth.” Kim Morris said the family’s openness prompted local school efforts and scholarships in the teen’s name and asked legislators to “designate October 9 Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day.”
Students who were friends of the deceased also testified. Jocelyn Middleton described living with the grief and said highlighting a day of awareness can help others speak up. Shannon Shaver, a McMinnville High School student, described seeing the visible effects of loss among classmates and urged lawmakers to act.
Committee action and rationale
Vice Chair Bonham moved that the committee give House Bill 3643 a due‑pass recommendation to the Senate floor; the motion carried on a committee roll call with the members present voting aye. Senators and testimony emphasized that a designated day is intended to reduce stigma, encourage conversations, and catalyze local prevention work. Several senators thanked the witnesses for their testimony and said the bill would help keep youth mental health on the legislative agenda.
What the bill does
House Bill 3643 designates October 9 of each year as Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Day, declares an emergency, and is effective on passage. Committee members said the designation is a starting point for broader prevention work and communications.
