HB 2479 VOTE: NO
In CommitteePublic Hearing 03/01/2023 8:00am HR D
Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/HB2479?pubDate=2023-01-19-16-45
Committee assigned to bill:https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Committees/HJUD/Overview
This bill grants immunities to children’s advocacy centers and to employees and designated agents of children’s advocacy centers
Children Advocacy Centers (CAC) have been given authorization to hire temporary help from out of state, and to give immunity for inept services or injuries to children at the negligent and or evil hands of a CAC will not be able to sue for damages the immunities that is provided for CACs. This is not acceptable by any and all means.
Oregon Trial Lawyers Association testimony says “through HB 2479, the CACs seek to immunize themselves “[f]rom any civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed with respect to participating in such assessment.” This means that when the CACs do not provide appropriately “skilled, complete and forensically sound child abuse assessments,” as contemplated in the statute, they cannot be held liable by those they harm.
“The shield from responsibility proposed in the bill is much, much broader than anything enjoyed by DHS, law enforcement, or school officials to name a few.
“The language on page 2 lines 14-15 applies the provisions of the bill to acts occurring on after or BEFORE the effective date. That begs the question of what harm have they already caused for which they are seeking to shirk responsibility.”
It is putting the fox in charge of the hen house and is no way to reform the bad actions that have taken place against our most vulnerable children.