'DATE RAPE' DRUG BILL GOES TO GOVERNOR

SALEM - A bill that would make it a crime to cause someone to consume "date
rape" drugs or other controlled substances won final legislative approval
in the Oregon House on Wednesday.

The measure now heads to the governor for review.

The proposal, HB2353, would make it a crime to cause a person to ingest a
controlled substance without their consent, punishable by 10 years in
prison with a $200,000 fine.

It's a response to new drugs that can be slipped into people's drinks
without their knowledge to sedate them and make them vulnerable to rape or
other assaults and covers controlled substances and synthetic drugs with
similar effects.

Causing another person to ingest a controlled substance with the intent to
commit rape or other violence would carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in
prison and a $200,000 fine.

In 1996, a federal law made it a crime to administer a date rape drug to
someone with the intent of raping them.

But most drug prosecutions are in state court, and legislators called for
increased penalties.

Senate Passes Nursing Bill

Hospitals would create staffing plans for nurses linked to patient needs
and restrict mandatory overtime under a bill approved Wednesday by the
Oregon Senate.

The measure was returned to the House for action on amendments after a 29-1
vote.

Sen. John Minnis, R-Wood Village, said lawmakers need to recognize the
shortage of nurses, and that the bill would improve working conditions.

HB2800 says hospitals must adopt staffing plans based on nursing care needs
of patients and specialized competencies of nurses and must determine a
minimum number of nursing staff to be on duty for each shift.

Nurses generally could not be required to work more than two hours beyond a
regularly scheduled shift or more than 16 hours in a 24-hour time period.

Genetic Data Bill Rejected

The Oregon House rejected a bill Wednesday that was aimed at protecting
consumers from being denied affordable life, disability or long-term care
insurance based on genetic information.

The proposal, one of several bills before the 2001 Legislature dealing with
genetics and privacy, would prohibit insurance companies from using genetic
information in determining coverage.

On a 32-28 vote, the House sent the bill to the Ways and Means committee,
where supporters say it is doomed.

One lawmaker suggested insurers weren't interested in fairness, only dollars.

"They would sacrifice privacy - privacy we all cherish - for the sake of
profit," said Rep. Phil Barnhart, D-Eugene.

Rep. Jeff Merkley said the bill's main goal was to provide a safe harbor
for genetic testing.

The Portland Democrat said genetic research has been compromised because
people aren't willing to submit their DNA for fear that it will be used
against them by insurance agencies looking for predetermined health risks.

"In the end we all lose," he said.

Dna Evidence Bill Moves On

Prison inmates could get a second chance at freedom with DNA evidence under
a bill approved by the Oregon House Wednesday.

The measure, SB667, heads to the Senate for action on minor House amendments.

Current state law doesn't permit the use of DNA evidence in post-conviction
relief, even if that evidence exonerates the prisoner.

Under the proposal, people convicted of aggravated murder - the only crime
that carries a possible death sentence in Oregon - or sex crimes could
request DNA tests to establish their innocence. Attorneys would have to
file requests by 2005.

Tests would be conducted by the Oregon State Police, but only if "there is
a reasonable possibility that the testing will produce exculpatory evidence."

An inmate could ask for a new trial in 60 days if the tests show he could
be innocent.

Online Gambling Bill OK'd

The Oregon Legislature completed action Wednesday on a bill that's designed
to hinder illegal Internet gambling by making it harder to collect debts.

The Senate passed the measure 28-1, sending it to the governor.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Rick Metsger, D-Welches, said it's aimed at online
gambling run by offshore Web sites that are beyond federal jurisdiction.

The proposal, SB755, forbids the collection of gambling debts through
credit card payments, checks or electronic fund transfers.

Under the proposal, credit card providers would not be held liable for
debts incurred by Internet gamblers.

"This bill sends a clear message that if you solicit Oregonians, you may
not be paid," Metsger said.

The number of gambling sites on the Internet soared from 30 in 1997 to more
than 700 by last year, and five other states have banned or restricted
online gambling, he said.