Call to Action in Support of SB1562-16

Senate Bill 1562-16 has moved out of Committee and will move on for a vote on the Senate floor tomorrow (we think at 10:45 a.m.). We are grateful for the work of Senator Taylor and the numerous co-sponsors of this legislation that will make near/non-fatal strangulation in the context of domestic violence a felony.

There are three action steps you can take at this time:

First– Contact your local senators by email and phone today/tomorrow morning and encourage a vote of support for SB 1562-16. Many are already supportive so a positive and encouraging message is appropriate here.

You can find your locally elected representative’s contact information here:

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/findyourlegislator/leg-districts.html

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/house/Pages/RepresentativesAll.aspx

Second– Submit written testimony in support of SB 1562-16 to the House Judiciary Committee in advance of the hearing. Since this house is between committees at the moment, it is best to submit a copy to both the House and Senate Committee emails to ensure it goes on the record. If you previously submitted testimony you can submit an updated letter thanking the Senate Judiciary Committee for their work and identifying your support for the amended version (SB 1562-16) that is moving forward for a vote. When submitting written testimony, remember that incorporating your personal message, from your perspective is often the most impactful, and that each written testimony becomes part of public record.

Here’s is more information on how to submit written testimony: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/citizen_engagement/Pages/Submit-Exhibits.aspx

The letter should be submitted to these two addresses:

sjud.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

hjud.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

*Please address your remarks to Chair Barker, Vice Chair Williamson, Vice Chair Olson and Members of the House Committee on Judiciary*

Third- Please also consider reaching out directly to Senator Taylor, bill co-sponsors, and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to thank them for their hard work and efforts on this. It has been a long haul, with noteworthy bi-partisan support in the capital and multi-disciplinary coalition of support across the domestic and sexual violence system. The testimony provided last Tuesday was remarkable and worth watching, as well as all of the letters of support submitted thus far. You can find the co-sponsors and committee member information at this link as well as links to the hearing and other written testimony here:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2018R1/Measures/Overview/SB1562

Thank you for helping to keep survivors and our communities safe!