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Heated public testimony as committee considers HB 4106 to expand officer immunity during civil‑commitment transports
Summary
House Bill 4106 would limit criminal or sole civil liability for peace officers using restraints or physical force during transportation for involuntary civil commitment when acting in good faith and reasonably. Committee heard extensive, sharply divided testimony: local officials and law enforcement urged limited protections to keep transports possible; disability advocates, clinicians, and people with lived experience argued the bill would expand immunity and risk harm to vulnerable people.
House Bill 4,106 would bar criminal or sole civil liability for a peace officer who uses restraints or physical force while transporting a person under a civil commitment order if the officer reasonably believes the force is necessary and acts in good faith. Sponsors Rep. Kevin Mannix and Rep. Tom Anderson said the measure is intended to fill a statutory gap that leaves officers uncertain about legal exposure when performing transports for civil commitments.
"This bill recognizes that reality in a narrowly tailored way," Anderson said. "If these standards are violated, accountability still remains." Mayor Julie Hoy of Salem, Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethel and Chief Trevor Womack (speaking for the Oregon Association of Chiefs of…
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