GLADSTONE, Ore. -- In the wake of the death of a 16-year-old member of a faith-healing church, some Oregon lawmakers have promised to create a law that will force families who practice “faith healing” to get their children medical treatment when they’re sick.

"The tragedy in all these cases is these children could have been readily saved," said Rep. Peter Courtney. "The medical science is there."

In the most recent death, Neal Beagley, 16, of Gladstone, was suffering from an ailment that doctors said could have been easily cured by treatment. But he died Tuesday night of heart failure caused by a urinary tract blockage. Back in March, a 15-month-old in the same church also died. In both cases, a medical examiner concluded that basic medical care could have saved the children's lives.

"To me you can not use religion...to ignore the health of kids," said Courtney, who promised to push for legislation that will raise the age of consent in such cases.

Background: Gladstone teen dies

Under the current law, parents are prohibited from using faith healing on young children. In addition, kids over the age of 14 are supposed to be able to decide themselves whether or not they want to see a doctor.

People practicing “faith healing” believe in using the power of prayer to heal and refuse modern medical treatments.

Share/read comments: Your thoughts on law?

Due to the way the current law is written, authorities said it was unlikely that Neal’s parents would face any criminal charges.

Instead, Beagley's urinary tract became inflamed and closed off. He was unable to urinate, which made his bladder and kidneys stop functioning, the autopsy showed. Toxins backed up into his blood stream.

Beagley had started complaining about stomach aches and shortness of breath last week. The family told police he did not want medical attention. Gladstone police said relatives and church members told them the teenager refused treatment for the illness, as he was entitled to do under Oregon law.

Also: Public outcry over teen's failed 'faith healing' death

Beagley's family belongs to the Oregon City Followers of Christ Church. The church is a fundamentalist Christian denomination that recently made headlines after two members were arrested and accused of using prayer instead of medical care to try to cure their deathly ill daughter.

In that case, Neal's 15-month-old cousin, Ava Worthington, died at home from bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. Her parents, Carl and Raylene Worthington, also failed to contact a doctor and are awaiting trial on criminal charges in her death.

Background: More on girl's faith healing death

No one had been arrested or charged with any crime in the latest case as of Wednesday morning, but the information will be forwarded to the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office for review, Benton said.