Committee adopts amendment to SB 15 70 requiring hospital protocols for law-enforcement encounters; bill sent to floor

The House Committee on Rules adopted an amendment and voted to move Senate Bill 15 70 A to the floor with a due-pass recommendation after testimony from frontline-care advocates and hospital representatives.

Analyst Daniel summarized the bill as requiring hospitals to establish protocols for interactions with state, federal and local law enforcement (with a -A12 amendment exempting the OHSU police department), designate public and nonpublic areas, and appoint a designated administrator to respond when law enforcement arrives. The bill includes an anti-retaliation provision protecting employees who share state-published information on constitutional rights or legal services and prohibits disclosure of citizenship or immigration status except as required by law or court order.

Representative Dacia Graeber, a co-sponsor on the House side, described the amendment as a compromise that clarifies roles and protects patient care and clinicians. Sean Colmer of the Hospital Association said hospitals are neutral on the amendment after negotiations and emphasized implementation and operational concerns; hospital representatives and advocates emphasized preserving flexibility so hospitals can meet the standard without excessive administrative burden.

Vice Chair Pham moved adoption of the -A12 amendment; the committee adopted the amendment by roll call and subsequently voted to send SB 15 70 A to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. Recorded roll calls show the amendment and the final due-pass motion passed with recorded yes/no votes noted in the transcript.