SALEM — The Oregon Senate voted Thursday, Feb. 22, to pass State Bill 1587, a bipartisan bill that provides Children’s Advocacy Centers liability protections they currently lack, according to a press release.

The legislation, which now goes to the House for consideration, was carried by Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, and Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, D-Corvallis.

“CACs are supported by state dollars and provide statutorily mandated services,” said Hansell, who introduced the measure, said in the press release. “They deserve liability protections afforded to all other members of the child abuse response chain.”

Children’s Advocacy Centers provide child abuse medical exams and forensic interviews when there is a question of child abuse. There are 24 CACs serving all 36 counties in Oregon. The centers work within the multidisciplinary team process, in close collaboration with district attorneys, law enforcement, Department of Human Services and local school districts. All these entities have a level of liability protections — except for children’s advocacy centers. The legislation solves the disparity with a very narrow and tailored approach.

“This bill provides important assurances to CACs and their insurance providers,” Hansell said. “Since there are no protections in place today, we unfortunately see baseless claims filed which result in CACs being dropped by their carriers, carriers raising premiums to the point that coverage is inaccessible, and negative impacts on access to services in our communities, especially for smaller CACs.”

The legislation excludes protections for medical malpractice, reckless, wanton, or intentional misconduct, gross negligence or abuse or neglect of the child.

“Child Abuse Advocacy Centers are critical partners in child safety. Their work gives even the youngest children a voice when they have been harmed and provides a path forward towards healing,” Gelser Blouin said. “This very narrowly crafted bill provides protections critical to ensuring this essential work continues.”