SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Senate voted to drop faith healing as a legal defense to murder or manslaughter.
The Senate voted 25-5 to approve the measure Monday. It was drafted largely in response to the deaths of children among members of the Followers of Christ Church in Oregon City, who rely on spiritual treatments instead of medical care.
An Oregon City couple that belongs to the church stands trial this week on criminal mistreatment charges for failing to seek medical care for their infant daughter. Another couple was convicted last year of criminally negligent homicide in the 2008 death of their teenage son.
The Oregon House unanimously approved the bill in March. The bill returns to the House for a vote on Senate changes, which would make the law take effect immediately.
