Chapter 659A — Unlawful Discrimination in Employment, Public Accommodations and Real Property Transactions; Administrative and Civil Enforcement

 

2023 EDITION

 

 

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

 

LABOR, EMPLOYMENT; UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

 

DEFINITIONS

 

659A.001  Definitions

 

PURPOSE AND POLICY

 

659A.003  Purpose of ORS chapter 659A

 

659A.004  Short title

 

659A.006  Declaration of policy against unlawful discrimination; opportunity to obtain employment without unlawful discrimination recognized as a civil right; exception of religious group

 

659A.009  Declaration of policy against discrimination in employment because of age

 

659A.012  State agencies to carry out policy against discrimination in employment; evaluation of supervisors; affirmative action reports

 

659A.015  Affirmative action reports to include information on contracts to minority businesses

 

UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, MARITAL STATUS OR AGE

 

659A.029  “Because of sex” defined for ORS 659A.030

 

659A.030  Discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age or expunged juvenile record prohibited

 

659A.033  Violation of ORS 659A.030 by denying religious leave or prohibiting certain religious observances or practices; determination of reasonable accommodation

 

659A.036  Short title

 

UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INJURED WORKERS

 

(Unlawful Discrimination Against Injured Workers)

 

659A.040  Discrimination against worker applying for or inquiring about workers’ compensation benefits prohibited

 

659A.043  Reinstatement of injured worker to former position; certificate evidencing ability to work; effect of collective bargaining agreement; termination of right to reinstatement; when reinstatement right terminates

 

659A.046  Reemployment of injured worker in other available and suitable work; termination of right to reemployment; effect of collective bargaining agreement

 

659A.049  Rights of reinstatement and reemployment protected

 

659A.052  Reemployment rights of injured state workers; rules

 

(Benefits for Injured State Workers and Covered Dependents)

 

659A.060  Definitions for ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069

 

659A.063  State to continue group health benefits for injured worker and covered dependents; when ended

 

659A.066  Worker may continue benefits after employer’s obligation ends

 

659A.069  Discrimination against state worker applying for benefits under ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069 prohibited

 

UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AND REQUIRED LEAVE RELATED TO MILITARY SERVICE

 

(Unlawful Discrimination for Service in Uniformed Service)

 

659A.082  Discrimination against person for service in uniformed service prohibited

 

(Leave of Absence for State Service)

 

659A.086  Employment rights of members of organized militia when called into active state service

 

659A.088  Violation of ORS 659A.086 as unlawful employment practice; complaint; remedies and penalties

 

(Notification to Director of Veterans’ Affairs)

 

659A.089  Notification to Director of Veterans’ Affairs

 

(Oregon Military Family Leave Act)

 

659A.090  Definitions for ORS 659A.090 to 659A.099

 

659A.093  Employer required to provide leave; job protection; benefits; notice to employer; use of accrued leave; rules

 

659A.096  Denial of leave, retaliation and discrimination prohibited

 

659A.099  Short title

 

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 

659A.103  Policy

 

659A.104  Description of disability for purposes of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145

 

659A.106  Employers to whom ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139 apply

 

659A.109  Discrimination against individual for using procedures in ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145 prohibited

 

659A.112  Employment discrimination

 

659A.115  Qualification for position

 

659A.118  Reasonable accommodation

 

659A.121  Undue hardship

 

659A.122  Definitions for ORS 659A.124, 659A.127 and 659A.130

 

659A.124  Illegal use of drugs

 

659A.127  Permitted employer action

 

659A.130  Conditions that do not constitute impairment

 

659A.133  Medical examinations and inquiries of job applicants

 

659A.136  Medical examinations and inquiries of employees

 

659A.139  Construction of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145

 

659A.141  Damages recoverable for harm or theft of assistance animal

 

659A.142  Discrimination against individual with disability by employment agency, labor organization, place of public accommodation or state government prohibited; discrimination in provision of healthcare; mental disorder treatment not evidence of inability to manage property

 

659A.143  Assistance animals

 

659A.144  Required accommodations in transient lodging; liability; limitations on applicability

 

659A.145  Discrimination against individual with disability in real property transactions prohibited; advertising discriminatory preference prohibited; allowance for reasonable modification; assisting discriminatory practices prohibited

 

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AND REASONABLE

ACCOMMODATION RELATED TO PREGNANCY

 

659A.146  Reasonable accommodation

 

659A.147  Prohibited conduct; posting requirements; Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries to develop training and education materials; undue hardship exception; remedies

 

659A.148  Employers to whom provisions relating to reasonable accommodation apply

 

FAMILY LEAVE

 

659A.150  Definitions for ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186

 

659A.153  Covered employers

 

659A.156  Eligible employees; exceptions; eligibility during public health emergency; restoration of time worked

 

659A.157  Determining family member by reason of affinity

 

659A.159  Purposes for which family leave may be taken

 

659A.162  Length of leave; conditions; rules

 

659A.164  Meaning of “one-year period” for purposes of determining amount of leave available to eligible employee; rules

 

659A.165  Notice to employer

 

659A.168  Medical verification and scheduling of treatment; exceptions

 

659A.171  Job protection; benefits

 

659A.174  Use of paid leave

 

659A.177  Special rules for teachers

 

659A.180  Postings by employer

 

659A.183  Denying family leave to eligible employee prohibited; retaliation prohibited

 

659A.186  Exclusivity of provisions; construction; concurrent leave

 

LEAVE TO ATTEND CRIMINAL PROCEEDING

 

659A.190  Definitions for ORS 659A.190 to 659A.198

 

659A.192  Leave to attend criminal proceeding; undue hardship on employer; scheduling criminal proceeding

 

659A.194  Denying leave to employee prohibited

 

659A.196  Notice to employer; records confidential

 

659A.198  Use of paid leave

 

WHISTLEBLOWING

 

(Disclosures by Employee of Violation of State or Federal Law)

 

659A.199  Prohibited conduct by employer

 

(Disclosures by Public and Nonprofit Employees)

 

659A.200  Definitions for ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224

 

659A.203  Prohibited conduct by public or nonprofit employer; prohibited conduct by school services employer during public health emergency; remedies

 

659A.206  Effects of ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224 on employees

 

659A.209  Effect on public record disclosures

 

659A.210  Affirmative defense

 

659A.212  Policy on cooperation with law enforcement officials; duty to report person subject to warrant for arrest

 

659A.215  Remedies not exclusive

 

659A.218  Disclosure of employee’s name without consent prohibited

 

659A.219  Uniform standards and procedures manual for implementation of Whistleblower Law; requirements

 

659A.220  Bureau of Labor and Industries to collect and compile information relating to disclosures; report to legislature

 

659A.221  Uniform application to all public employers; optional procedure for disclosures; rules

 

659A.224  Short title

 

(Reports of Violations of Election Laws)

 

659A.228  Discrimination for reporting violation of election laws prohibited

 

(Initiating or Aiding Administrative, Criminal or Civil Proceeding)

 

659A.230  Discrimination for initiating or aiding in criminal or civil proceedings prohibited; remedies not exclusive

 

659A.233  Discrimination for reporting certain violations or testifying at unemployment compensation hearing prohibited

 

(Legislative Testimony)

 

659A.236  Discrimination for testifying before Legislative Assembly, committee or task force prohibited

 

UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION RELATING TO EMPLOYEE HOUSING

 

659A.250  Definitions for ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262

 

659A.253  Restriction of access to employee housing owned or controlled by employer prohibited; telephone accessibility

 

659A.256  Regulations by employers concerning use and occupancy of employee housing; requirements; notice

 

659A.259  Eviction from employee housing or discrimination against employee for reporting violations of ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262 prohibited; enforcement

 

659A.262  Warrant on behalf of person entitled to access to housing; vacation of warrant; rules

 

PROTECTIONS BECAUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HARASSMENT, SEXUAL ASSAULT, BIAS OR STALKING

 

(Leave)

 

659A.270  Definitions for ORS 659A.270 to 659A.285

 

659A.272  Employer required to provide leave

 

659A.275  Undue hardship

 

659A.277  Denying leave to employee prohibited

 

659A.279  Required posting of summaries of statutes and rules

 

659A.280  Notice to employer; records confidential

 

659A.283  Paid leave for public employees

 

659A.285  Use of paid leave

 

(Prohibited Conduct)

 

659A.290  Prohibited conduct by employer; records confidential

 

MISCELLANEOUS UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

 

(Prohibited Testing)

 

659A.300  Requiring breathalyzer, polygraph, psychological stress or brain-wave test or genetic test prohibited; exceptions

 

659A.303  Employer prohibited from obtaining, seeking to obtain or using genetic information

 

659A.306  Requiring employee to pay for medical examination as condition of continued employment prohibited; exceptions

 

(Miscellaneous Provisions)

 

659A.309  Discrimination solely because of employment of another family member prohibited; exceptions

 

659A.312  Leave of absence to donate bone marrow; verification by employer

 

659A.314  Discrimination for service as appointed member of state board or commission; requiring employee to use accrued leave prohibited; remedy for violation

 

659A.315  Restricting use of tobacco in nonworking hours prohibited; exceptions

 

659A.318  Discrimination relating to academic degree in theology or religious occupations prohibited

 

659A.320  Discrimination based on information in credit history prohibited; exceptions; remedies for violation

 

659A.321  Seniority systems and benefit plans not unlawful employment practices

 

659A.330  Employee social media account privacy; exception

 

659A.340  Interfering with employee’s good faith disclosure of information concerning unlawful conduct or certain violations prohibited; remedy

 

659A.343  Discrimination based on individual’s presentation of identification other than Real ID prohibited; remedies

 

659A.347  Discrimination related to possession of valid driver license

 

659A.350  Interns

 

659A.355  Discrimination based on wage inquiry or wage complaint; exception

 

659A.357  Restricting salary history inquiries

 

659A.360  Restricting criminal conviction inquiries; exceptions

 

659A.362  Enforcement

 

WORKPLACE FAIRNESS

 

659A.370  Employer prohibited from entering into agreements that prevent employee from discussing certain unlawful conduct; exceptions; remedies

 

659A.375  Employer policies relating to prevention of discrimination and sexual assault; requirements

 

659A.377  Requirements for mediation related to claims or allegations of unlawful conduct as described under ORS 659A.370

 

659A.380  When severance or separation agreements are voidable by employer

 

659A.390  Restrictions on no-rehire provisions as condition of workers’ compensation settlements; exceptions; remedy for violation; civil penalties

 

ACCESS TO PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS

 

(Unlawful Discrimination in Public Accommodations)

 

659A.400  Place of public accommodation defined

 

659A.403  Discrimination in place of public accommodation prohibited

 

659A.406  Aiding or abetting certain discrimination prohibited

 

659A.409  Notice that discrimination will be made in place of public accommodation prohibited; age exceptions

 

659A.410  Refusing to accept currency or coins as payment prohibited; exceptions; remedies for violation

 

(Access to Employee Toilet Facilities)

 

659A.411  Definitions for ORS 659A.411 to 659A.415

 

659A.413  Denial of access prohibited; exception

 

659A.415  Liability for damages; physical changes not required

 

659A.417  Violation of ORS 659A.413

 

(Closed Captioning on Television Receivers)

 

659A.419  Closed captioning required on television receivers in places of public accommodation; exceptions; training requirements; penalties; rules

 

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION IN REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

 

659A.421  Discrimination in selling, renting or leasing real property prohibited

 

659A.425  Violation based on facially neutral housing policy

 

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

 

659A.550  Discrimination because of employment status prohibited; penalties

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS FOR UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

 

(Enforcement Powers of Bureau of Labor and Industries)

 

659A.800  Elimination and prevention of discrimination by Bureau of Labor and Industries; subpoenas

 

659A.805  Rules for carrying out ORS chapter 659A

 

659A.810  Willful interference with administration of law and violation of orders of commissioner prohibited

 

659A.815  Advisory agencies and intergroup-relations councils

 

(Complaint, Investigation and Hearing Procedures)

 

659A.820  Complaints

 

659A.825  Complaints filed by Attorney General or commissioner; temporary cease and desist orders in certain cases

 

659A.830  Authority of commissioner

 

659A.835  Investigation; finding of substantial evidence

 

659A.840  Settlement

 

659A.845  Formal charges

 

659A.850  Hearing; orders; fees

 

659A.855  Civil penalty for certain complaints filed by commissioner

 

659A.860  Settlement agreements and orders

 

659A.865  Retaliatory action prohibited

 

CIVIL ACTIONS FOR UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

 

659A.870  Election of remedies

 

659A.875  Time limitations

 

659A.880  Ninety-day notice

 

659A.885  Civil action

 

659A.890  Civil action for violation of ORS 659A.865

 

PENALTIES

 

659A.990  Penalties

 

DEFINITIONS

 

      659A.001 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

      (1) “Bureau” means the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

      (2) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

      (3) “Employee” does not include any individual employed by the individual’s parents, spouse or child or in the domestic service of any person.

      (4)(a) “Employer” means any person who in this state, directly or through an agent, engages or uses the personal service of one or more employees, reserving the right to control the means by which such service is or will be performed.

      (b) For the purposes of employee protections described in ORS 659A.350, “employer” means any person who, in this state, is in an employment relationship with an intern as described in ORS 659A.350.

      (5) “Employment agency” includes any person undertaking to procure employees or opportunities to work.

      (6)(a) “Familial status” means the relationship between one or more individuals who have not attained 18 years of age and who are domiciled with:

      (A) A parent or another person having legal custody of the individual; or

      (B) The designee of the parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of the parent or other person.

      (b) “Familial status” includes any individual, regardless of age or domicile, who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.

      (7) “Labor organization” includes any organization which is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining or in dealing with employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employees.

      (8) “National origin” includes ancestry.

      (9) “Person” includes:

      (a) One or more individuals, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, limited liability companies, joint stock companies, corporations, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy or receivers.

      (b) A public body as defined in ORS 30.260.

      (c) For purposes of ORS 659A.145 and 659A.421 and the application of any federal housing law, a fiduciary, mutual company, trust or unincorporated organization.

      (10) “Protective hairstyle” means a hairstyle, hair color or manner of wearing hair that includes, but is not limited to, braids, regardless of whether the braids are created with extensions or styled with adornments, locs and twists.

      (11) “Race” includes physical characteristics that are historically associated with race, including but not limited to natural hair, hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles.

      (12) “Respondent” means any person against whom a complaint or charge of an unlawful practice is filed with the commissioner or whose name has been added to such complaint or charge pursuant to ORS 659A.835.

      (13) “Unlawful employment practice” means a practice specifically denominated as an unlawful employment practice in this chapter. “Unlawful employment practice” includes a practice that is specifically denominated in another statute of this state as an unlawful employment practice and that is specifically made subject to enforcement under this chapter.

      (14) “Unlawful practice” means any unlawful employment practice or any other practice specifically denominated as an unlawful practice in this chapter. “Unlawful practice” includes a practice that is specifically denominated in another statute of this state as an unlawful practice and that is specifically made subject to enforcement under this chapter, or a practice that violates a rule adopted by the commissioner for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. [2001 c.621 §1; 2008 c.36 §4; 2013 c.379 §3; 2021 c.239 §1]

 

PURPOSE AND POLICY

 

      659A.003 Purpose of ORS chapter 659A. The purpose of this chapter is to encourage the fullest utilization of the available workforce by removing arbitrary standards of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age or disability as a barrier to employment of the inhabitants of this state, and to ensure the human dignity of all people within this state and protect their health, safety and morals from the consequences of intergroup hostility, tensions and practices of unlawful discrimination of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability or familial status. To accomplish this purpose, the Legislative Assembly intends by this chapter to provide:

      (1) A program of public education calculated to eliminate attitudes upon which practices of unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability or familial status are based.

      (2) An adequate remedy for persons aggrieved by certain acts of unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, disability or familial status, or unreasonable acts of discrimination in employment based upon age.

      (3) An adequate administrative machinery for the orderly resolution of complaints of unlawful discrimination through a procedure involving investigation, conference, conciliation and persuasion, to encourage the use in good faith of the machinery by all parties to a complaint of unlawful discrimination and to discourage unilateral action that makes moot the outcome of final administrative or judicial determination on the merits of the complaint. [Formerly 659.022; 2005 c.22 §467; 2007 c.100 §2; 2007 c.903 §1a; 2021 c.367 §33]

 

      659A.004 Short title. The amendments to ORS 10.030, 20.107, 30.860, 93.270, 109.035, 166.155, 166.165, 174.100, 179.750, 192.630, 240.306, 338.125, 353.100, 418.648, 418.925, 421.352, 430.550, 443.739, 458.505, 659.850, 659A.003, 659A.006, 659A.030, 659A.403, 659A.406, 659A.409, 659A.421, 659A.805, 659A.815, 659A.885, 660.139 and 744.353 by sections 1 to 31, 33 and 34, chapter 100, Oregon Laws 2007, and the repeal of ORS 236.380 by section 32, chapter 100, Oregon Laws 2007, may be cited as the Oregon Equality Act. [2007 c.100 §42; 2007 c.903 §17]

 

      659A.006 Declaration of policy against unlawful discrimination; opportunity to obtain employment without unlawful discrimination recognized as a civil right; exception of religious group. (1) It is declared to be the public policy of Oregon that practices of unlawful discrimination against any of its inhabitants because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability or familial status are a matter of state concern and that this discrimination not only threatens the rights and privileges of its inhabitants but menaces the institutions and foundation of a free democratic state.

      (2) The opportunity to obtain employment or housing or to use and enjoy places of public accommodation without unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age or disability hereby is recognized as and declared to be a civil right.

      (3) It is not an unlawful practice for a bona fide church or other religious institution to take any action with respect to housing or the use of facilities based on a bona fide religious belief about sexual orientation or gender identity as long as the housing or the use of facilities is closely connected with or related to the primary purposes of the church or institution and is not connected with a commercial or business activity that has no necessary relationship to the church or institution.

      (4) It is not an unlawful employment practice for a bona fide church or other religious institution, including but not limited to a school, hospital or church camp, to prefer an employee, or an applicant for employment, of one religious sect or persuasion over another if:

      (a) The religious sect or persuasion to which the employee or applicant belongs is the same as that of the church or institution;

      (b) In the opinion of the church or institution, the preference will best serve the purposes of the church or institution; and

      (c) The employment involved is closely connected with or related to the primary purposes of the church or institution and is not connected with a commercial or business activity that has no necessary relationship to the church or institution.

      (5) It is not an unlawful employment practice for a bona fide church or other religious institution to take any employment action based on a bona fide religious belief about sexual orientation or gender identity:

      (a) In employment positions directly related to the operation of a church or other place of worship, such as clergy, religious instructors and support staff;

      (b) In employment positions in a nonprofit religious school, nonprofit religious camp, nonprofit religious day care center, nonprofit religious thrift store, nonprofit religious bookstore, nonprofit religious radio station or nonprofit religious shelter; or

      (c) In other employment positions that involve religious activities, as long as the employment involved is closely connected with or related to the primary purposes of the church or institution and is not connected with a commercial or business activity that has no necessary relationship to the church or institution. [Formerly 659.020; 2007 c.100 §3; 2007 c.903 §2; 2021 c.367 §34]

 

      659A.009 Declaration of policy against discrimination in employment because of age. It is declared to be the public policy of Oregon that the available workforce should be utilized to the fullest extent possible. To this end, the abilities of an individual, and not any arbitrary standards that discriminate against an individual solely because of age, should be the measure of the individual’s fitness and qualification for employment. [Formerly 659.015; 2005 c.22 §468]

 

      659A.012 State agencies to carry out policy against discrimination in employment; evaluation of supervisors; affirmative action reports. (1) To achieve the public policy of the State of Oregon for persons in the state to attain employment and advancement without discrimination because of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, national origin, disability or age, every state agency shall be required to include in the evaluation of all management personnel the manager’s or supervisor’s effectiveness in achieving affirmative action objectives as a key consideration of the manager’s or supervisor’s performance.

      (2) To achieve the public policy of the State of Oregon for persons in the state to attain employment and advancement without discrimination because of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, national origin, age or disability, every state agency shall be required to present the affirmative action objectives and performance of that agency of the current biennium and those for the following biennium to the Governor of the State of Oregon and to the Legislative Assembly. These plans shall be reviewed as part of the budget review process. [Formerly 659.025]

 

      659A.015 Affirmative action reports to include information on contracts to minority businesses. In carrying out the policy of affirmative action, every state agency shall include in its affirmative action reports under ORS 659A.012 information concerning its awards of construction, service and personal service contracts awarded to minority businesses. [Formerly 659.027]

 

UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, MARITAL STATUS OR AGE

 

      659A.029 “Because of sex” defined for ORS 659A.030. For purposes of ORS 659A.030, the phrase “because of sex” includes, but is not limited to, because of pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or occurrences. An individual affected by the individual’s pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions or occurrences shall be treated the same for all employment-related purposes, including receipt of benefits under fringe benefit programs, as any other person not so affected but similar in ability or inability to work by reason of physical condition, and nothing in this section shall be interpreted to permit otherwise. [Formerly 659.029; 2023 c.228 §47]

 

      Note: Section 59 (5), chapter 228, Oregon Laws 2023, provides:

      Sec. 59. (5) The amendments to ORS 659A.029 by section 47 of this 2023 Act apply to unlawful employment discrimination occurring before, on or after the effective date of this 2023 Act [July 13, 2023]. [2023 c.228 §59(5)]

 

      659A.030 Discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age or expunged juvenile record prohibited. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice:

      (a) For an employer, because of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age if the individual is 18 years of age or older, or because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age of any other person with whom the individual associates, or because of an individual’s juvenile record that has been expunged pursuant to ORS 419A.260 to 419A.271, to refuse to hire or employ the individual or to bar or discharge the individual from employment. However, discrimination is not an unlawful employment practice if the discrimination results from a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the employer’s business.

      (b) For an employer, because of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age if the individual is 18 years of age or older, or because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age of any other person with whom the individual associates, or because of an individual’s juvenile record that has been expunged pursuant to ORS 419A.260 to 419A.271, to discriminate against the individual in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

      (c) For a labor organization, because of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age if the individual is 18 years of age or older, or because of an individual’s juvenile record that has been expunged pursuant to ORS 419A.260 to 419A.271, to exclude or to expel from its membership the individual or to discriminate in any way against the individual or any other person.

      (d) For any employer or employment agency to print or circulate or cause to be printed or circulated any statement, advertisement or publication, or to use any form of application for employment or to make any inquiry in connection with prospective employment that expresses directly or indirectly any limitation, specification or discrimination as to an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age if the individual is 18 years of age or older, or on the basis of an expunged juvenile record, or any intent to make any such limitation, specification or discrimination, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification. Identification of prospective employees according to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age does not violate this section unless the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, after a hearing conducted pursuant to ORS 659A.805, determines that the designation expresses an intent to limit, specify or discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age.

      (e) For an employment agency, because of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age if the individual is 18 years of age or older, or because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age of any other person with whom the individual associates, or because of an individual’s juvenile record that has been expunged pursuant to ORS 419A.260 to 419A.271, to classify or refer for employment, or to fail or refuse to refer for employment, or otherwise to discriminate against the individual. However, it is not an unlawful employment practice for an employment agency to classify or refer for employment an individual when the classification or referral results from a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the employer’s business.

      (f) For any person to discharge, expel or otherwise discriminate against any other person because that other person has opposed any unlawful practice, or because that other person has filed a complaint, testified or assisted in any proceeding under this chapter or has attempted to do so.

      (g) For any person, whether an employer or an employee, to aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce the doing of any of the acts forbidden under this chapter or to attempt to do so.

      (2) The provisions of this section apply to an apprentice under ORS 660.002 to 660.210, but the selection of an apprentice on the basis of the ability to complete the required apprenticeship training before attaining the age of 70 years is not an unlawful employment practice. The commissioner shall administer this section with respect to apprentices under ORS 660.002 to 660.210 equally with regard to all employees and labor organizations.

      (3) The compulsory retirement of employees required by law at any age is not an unlawful employment practice if lawful under federal law.

      (4)(a) It is not an unlawful employment practice for an employer or labor organization to provide or make financial provision for child care services of a custodial or other nature to its employees or members who are responsible for a minor child.

      (b) As used in this subsection, “responsible for a minor child” means having custody or legal guardianship of a minor child or acting in loco parentis to the child.

      (5) This section does not prohibit an employer from enforcing an otherwise valid dress code or policy, as long as the employer provides, on a case-by-case basis, for reasonable accommodation of an individual based on the health and safety needs of the individual and the dress code or policy does not have a disproportionate adverse impact on members of a protected class to a greater extent than the policy impacts persons generally. [Formerly 659.030; 2007 c.100 §4; 2021 c.239 §4; 2021 c.367 §35; 2021 c.585 §10]

 

      659A.033 Violation of ORS 659A.030 by denying religious leave or prohibiting certain religious observances or practices; determination of reasonable accommodation. (1) An employer violates ORS 659A.030 if:

      (a) The employer does not allow an employee to use vacation leave, or other leave available to the employee, for the purpose of allowing the employee to engage in the religious observance or practices of the employee; and

      (b) Reasonably accommodating use of the leave by the employee will not impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer as described in subsections (4) and (5) of this section.

      (2) Subsection (1) of this section applies only to leave that is not restricted as to the manner in which the leave may be used and that the employer allows the employee to take by adjusting or altering the work schedule or assignment of the employee.

      (3) An employer violates ORS 659A.030 if:

      (a) The employer imposes an occupational requirement that restricts the ability of an employee to wear religious clothing in accordance with the employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, to take time off for a holy day or to take time off to participate in a religious observance or practice;

      (b) Reasonably accommodating those activities does not impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer as described in subsections (4) and (5) of this section; and

      (c) The activities have only a temporary or tangential impact on the employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of the employee’s job.

      (4) A reasonable accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer for the purposes of this section if the accommodation requires significant difficulty or expense. For the purpose of determining whether an accommodation requires significant difficulty or expense, the following factors shall be considered:

      (a) The nature and the cost of the accommodation needed.

      (b) The overall financial resources of the facility or facilities involved in the provision of the accommodation, the number of persons employed at the facility and the effect on expenses and resources or other impacts on the operation of the facility caused by the accommodation.

      (c) The overall financial resources of the employer, the overall size of the business of the employer with respect to the number of persons employed by the employer and the number, type and location of the employer’s facilities.

      (d) The type of business operations conducted by the employer, including the composition, structure and functions of the workforce of the employer and the geographic separateness and administrative or fiscal relationship of the facility or facilities of the employer.

      (e) The safety and health requirements in a facility, including requirements for the safety of other employees and any other person whose safety may be adversely impacted by the requested accommodation.

      (f) The degree to which an accommodation may constrain the obligation of a school district, education service district or public charter school to maintain a religiously neutral work environment.

      (5) A reasonable accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer for the purposes of this section if the accommodation would constrain the legal obligation of a school district, education service district or public charter school to:

      (a) Maintain religious neutrality in the school environment; or

      (b) Refrain from endorsing religion. [2009 c.744 §2; 2010 c.105 §1]

 

      659A.036 Short title. ORS 659A.033 shall be known and may be cited as the “Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act.” [2009 c.744 §5]

 

      Note: 659A.036 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 659A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INJURED WORKERS

 

(Unlawful Discrimination Against Injured Workers)

 

      659A.040 Discrimination against worker applying for or inquiring about workers’ compensation benefits prohibited. It is an unlawful employment practice for any person acting on behalf of an employer to discriminate against a worker with respect to hire or tenure or any term or condition of employment because the worker has:

      (1) Applied for or inquired about benefits under ORS chapter 656;

      (2) Invoked or utilized the procedures provided for in ORS chapter 656; or

      (3) Given testimony under the provisions of ORS chapter 656. [2001 c.621 §32; 2022 c.6 §4]

 

      659A.043 Reinstatement of injured worker to former position; certificate evidencing ability to work; effect of collective bargaining agreement; termination of right to reinstatement; when reinstatement right terminates. (1) A worker who has sustained a compensable injury shall be reinstated by the worker’s employer to the worker’s former position of employment upon demand for such reinstatement, if the position exists and is available and the worker is not disabled from performing the duties of such position. A worker’s former position is available even if that position has been filled by a replacement while the injured worker was absent. If the former position is not available, the worker shall be reinstated in any other existing position that is vacant and suitable. A certificate by the attending physician or a nurse practitioner authorized to provide compensable medical services under ORS 656.245 that the physician or nurse practitioner approves the worker’s return to the worker’s regular employment or other suitable employment shall be prima facie evidence that the worker is able to perform such duties.

      (2) Such right of reemployment shall be subject to the provisions for seniority rights and other employment restrictions contained in a valid collective bargaining agreement between the employer and a representative of the employer’s employees.

      (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section:

      (a) The right to reinstatement to the worker’s former position under this section terminates when whichever of the following events first occurs:

      (A) A medical determination by the attending physician or, after an appeal of such determination to a medical arbiter or panel of medical arbiters pursuant to ORS chapter 656, has been made that the worker cannot return to the former position of employment.

      (B) The worker is eligible and participates in vocational assistance under ORS 656.340.

      (C) The worker accepts suitable employment with another employer after becoming medically stationary.

      (D) The worker refuses a bona fide offer from the employer of light duty or modified employment that is suitable prior to becoming medically stationary.

      (E) Seven days elapse from the date that the worker is notified by the insurer or self-insured employer by certified mail that the worker’s attending physician or a nurse practitioner authorized to provide compensable medical services under ORS 656.245 has released the worker for employment unless the worker requests reinstatement within that time period.

      (F) Three years elapse from the date of injury.

      (b) The right to reinstatement under this section does not apply to:

      (A) A worker hired on a temporary basis as a replacement for an injured worker.

      (B) A seasonal worker employed to perform less than six months’ work in a calendar year.

      (C) A worker whose employment at the time of injury resulted from referral from a hiring hall operating pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.

      (D) A worker whose employer employs 20 or fewer workers at the time of the worker’s injury and at the time of the worker’s demand for reinstatement.

      (4) Notwithstanding ORS 659A.165, a worker who refuses an offer of employment under subsection (3)(a)(D) of this section and who otherwise is entitled to family leave under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186:

      (a) Automatically commences a period of family leave under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 upon refusing the offer of employment; and

      (b) Need not give additional written or oral notice to the employer that the employee is commencing a period of family leave.

      (5) Any violation of this section is an unlawful employment practice. [Formerly 659.415; 2003 c.811 §§21,22; 2005 c.22 §§469,470; 2007 c.365 §11; 2007 c.633 §§4,5]

 

      659A.046 Reemployment of injured worker in other available and suitable work; termination of right to reemployment; effect of collective bargaining agreement. (1) A worker who has sustained a compensable injury and is disabled from performing the duties of the worker’s former regular employment shall, upon demand, be reemployed by the worker’s employer at employment which is available and suitable.

      (2) A certificate of the worker’s attending physician or a nurse practitioner authorized to provide compensable medical services under ORS 656.245 that the worker is able to perform described types of work shall be prima facie evidence of such ability.

      (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the right to reemployment under this section terminates when whichever of the following events first occurs:

      (a) The worker cannot return to reemployment at any position with the employer either by determination of the attending physician or a nurse practitioner authorized to provide compensable medical services under ORS 656.245 or upon appeal of that determination, by determination of a medical arbiter or panel of medical arbiters pursuant to ORS chapter 656.

      (b) The worker is eligible and participates in vocational assistance under ORS 656.340.

      (c) The worker accepts suitable employment with another employer after becoming medically stationary.

      (d) The worker refuses a bona fide offer from the employer of light duty or modified employment that is suitable prior to becoming medically stationary.

      (e) Seven days elapse from the date that the worker is notified by the insurer or self-insured employer by certified mail that the worker’s attending physician or a nurse practitioner authorized to provide compensable medical services under ORS 656.245 has released the worker for reemployment unless the worker requests reemployment within that time period.

      (f) Three years elapse from the date of injury.

      (4) Such right of reemployment shall be subject to the provisions for seniority rights and other employment restrictions contained in a valid collective bargaining agreement between the employer and a representative of the employer’s employees.

      (5) Notwithstanding ORS 659A.165, a worker who refuses an offer of employment under subsection (3)(d) of this section and who otherwise is entitled to family leave under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186:

      (a) Automatically commences a period of family leave under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 upon refusing the offer of employment; and

      (b) Need not give additional written or oral notice to the employer that the employee is commencing a period of family leave.

      (6) Any violation of this section is an unlawful employment practice.

      (7) This section applies only to employers who employ six or more persons. [Formerly 659.420; 2003 c.811 §§23,24; 2007 c.365 §12; 2007 c.633 §§6,7]

 

      659A.049 Rights of reinstatement and reemployment protected. The rights of reinstatement afforded by ORS 659A.043 and 659A.046 shall not be forfeited if the worker refuses to return to the worker’s regular or other offered employment without release to such employment by the worker’s attending physician or a nurse practitioner authorized to provide compensable medical services under ORS 656.245. [Formerly 659.417; 2003 c.811 §§25,26; 2007 c.365 §13]

 

      659A.052 Reemployment rights of injured state workers; rules. (1) In addition to the rights provided to injured workers under ORS 659A.043 and 659A.046, if all permanent restrictions of an injured worker are known and:

      (a) The injured worker was employed at the time of injury by any agency in the legislative department of the government of this state, the injured worker shall have the right to reinstatement or reemployment at any available and suitable position in another agency in the legislative department.

      (b) The injured worker was employed at the time of injury by any agency in the judicial department of the government of this state, the injured worker shall have the right to reinstatement or reemployment at any available and suitable position in another agency in the judicial department.

      (c) The injured worker was employed at the time of injury by any agency of the executive or administrative department of the government of this state, the injured worker shall have the right to reinstatement or reemployment at any available and suitable position in another agency of the executive or administrative department.

      (2) Notwithstanding ORS 659A.043 and 659A.046, an injured worker referred to in subsection (1) of this section has preference for entry level and light duty assignments with agencies described in subsection (1) of this section. The legislative and judicial departments of the government of this state may adopt rules to define entry level and light duty assignments. The Administrator of the Personnel Division by rule shall adopt a process to identify entry level and light duty assignments within the executive or administrative department of the government of this state.

      (3) In accordance with any applicable provision of ORS chapter 240, the Administrator of the Personnel Division shall compel compliance with this section and ORS 659A.043 and 659A.046 by any agency of the executive or administrative department of the government of this state. [Formerly 659.412; 2005 c.22 §471; 2009 c.315 §1; 2015 c.232 §1]

 

(Benefits for Injured State Workers and Covered Dependents)

 

      659A.060 Definitions for ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069. As used in ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “Group health benefits” means that form of health benefits provided by the State of Oregon to cover groups of employees, with or without one or more members of their families or one or more dependents. The group health benefits which are continued under ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069 shall be the same as the worker and the worker’s dependents had immediately prior to the injury or illness, and includes, but is not limited to, medical care, dental care, vision care or prescription drug coverage, or any combination thereof, that the worker had elected prior to the injury or illness. If the plan elected prior to the injury or illness is no longer available, the worker shall have the same plan selection rights as do active employees.

      (2) “Worker” means any state employee who has filed a workers’ compensation claim pursuant to ORS chapter 656. [Formerly 659.450]

 

      659A.063 State to continue group health benefits for injured worker and covered dependents; when ended. (1) The State of Oregon shall cause group health benefits to continue in effect with respect to that worker and any covered dependents or family members by timely payment of the premium that includes the contribution due from the state under the applicable benefit plan, subject to any premium contribution due from the worker that the worker paid before the occurrence of the injury or illness. If the premium increases or decreases, the State of Oregon and worker contributions shall be adjusted to remain consistent with similarly situated active employees. The State of Oregon shall continue the worker’s health benefits in effect until whichever of the following events occurs first:

      (a) The worker’s attending physician or a nurse practitioner authorized to provide compensable medical services under ORS 656.245 has determined the worker to be medically stationary and a notice of closure has been entered;

      (b) The worker returns to work for the State of Oregon, after a period of continued coverage under this section, and satisfies any probationary or minimum work requirement to be eligible for group health benefits;

      (c) The worker takes full- or part-time employment with another employer that is comparable in terms of the number of hours per week the worker was employed with the State of Oregon or the worker retires;

      (d) Twelve months have elapsed since the date the State of Oregon received notice that the worker filed a workers’ compensation claim pursuant to ORS chapter 656;

      (e) The claim is denied and the claimant fails to appeal within the time provided by ORS 656.319 or the Workers’ Compensation Board or a workers’ compensation hearings referee or a court issues an order finding the claim is not compensable;

      (f) The worker does not pay the required premium or portion thereof in a timely manner in accordance with the terms and conditions under this section;

      (g) The worker elects to discontinue coverage under this section and notifies the State of Oregon in writing of this election;

      (h) The worker’s attending physician or a nurse practitioner authorized to provide compensable medical services under ORS 656.245 has released the worker to modified or regular work, the work has been offered to the worker and the worker refuses to return to work; or

      (i) The worker has been terminated from employment for reasons unrelated to the workers’ compensation claim.

      (2) If the workers’ compensation claim of a worker for whom health benefits are provided pursuant to subsection (1) of this section is denied and the worker does not appeal or the worker appeals and does not prevail, the State of Oregon may recover from the worker the amount of the premiums plus interest at the rate authorized by ORS 82.010. The State of Oregon may recover the payments through a payroll deduction not to exceed 10 percent of gross pay for each pay period.

      (3) The State of Oregon shall notify the worker of the provisions of ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069, and of the remedies available for breaches of ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069, within a reasonable time after the State of Oregon receives notice that the worker will be absent from work as a result of an injury or illness for which a workers’ compensation claim has been filed pursuant to ORS chapter 656. The notice from the State of Oregon shall include the terms and conditions of the continuation of health benefits and what events will terminate the coverage.

      (4) If the worker fails to make timely payment of any premium contribution owing, the State of Oregon shall notify the worker of impending cancellation of the health benefits and provide the worker with 30 days to pay the required premium prior to canceling the policy.

      (5) It is an unlawful employment practice for the State of Oregon to discriminate against a worker, as defined in ORS 659A.060, by terminating the worker’s group health benefits while that worker is absent from the place of employment as a result of an injury or illness for which a workers’ compensation claim has been filed pursuant to ORS chapter 656, except as provided for in this section. [Formerly 659.455; 2003 c.811 §§27,28; 2007 c.365 §14]

 

      659A.066 Worker may continue benefits after employer’s obligation ends. If the State of Oregon’s obligation to continue paying premiums for health benefits under ORS 659A.063 expires or terminates, the worker may continue coverage by paying the entire premium pursuant to ORS 743B.342. [Formerly 659.460]

 

      659A.069 Discrimination against state worker applying for benefits under ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069 prohibited. It is an unlawful employment practice for the State of Oregon to discriminate against a worker with respect to hire or tenure or any term or condition of employment because the worker has applied for benefits or invoked or utilized the procedures provided for in ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069 or has given testimony under the provisions of those laws. [2001 c.621 §34]

 

UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AND REQUIRED LEAVE RELATED TO MILITARY SERVICE

 

(Unlawful Discrimination for Service in Uniformed Service)

 

      659A.082 Discrimination against person for service in uniformed service prohibited. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Service” means the performance of duty on a voluntary or involuntary basis in a uniformed service that may involve active duty, active duty for training, initial active duty for training, inactive duty for training, full-time duty in the National Guard, funeral honors duty or an examination to determine fitness for service in a uniformed service.

      (b) “Uniformed service” means the Armed Forces of the United States, the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard when engaged in active duty for training, inactive duty training or full-time National Guard duty, the commissioned corps of the United States Public Health Service and any other category of persons designated by the President of the United States in time of war or national emergency.

      (2) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against a person because of the person’s service in a uniformed service by:

      (a) If the employer is a public body, denying a public officer or public employee the status or rights provided by ORS 408.240 to 408.280 and 408.290.

      (b) Denying any of the following because a person is a member of, applies to be a member of, performs, has performed, applies to perform or has an obligation to perform service in a uniformed service:

      (A) Initial employment;

      (B) Reemployment following a leave from employment taken by reason of service in a uniformed service;

      (C) Retention in employment;

      (D) Promotion; or

      (E) Any other term, condition or privilege of employment, including but not limited to compensation.

      (c) Discharging, expelling, disciplining, threatening or otherwise retaliating against the person for exercising or attempting to exercise the status or rights provided by this section.

      (3) An employer does not commit an unlawful employment practice under subsection (2)(b) of this section if the employer acted based on a bona fide occupational requirement reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the employer’s business and the employer’s actions could not be avoided by making a reasonable accommodation of the person’s service in a uniformed service.

      (4) Subsection (2)(b) and (c) of this section shall be construed to the extent possible in a manner that is consistent with similar provisions of the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, including the five-year limit on eligibility for reemployment under 38 U.S.C. 4312.

      (5) In addition to any exception under federal law, the cumulative period of time for which an employee is absent from a position of employment with an employer for purposes of any of the following types of service in the uniformed service shall be excluded from the calculation of any durational limit on the eligibility for reemployment rights:

      (a) Voluntary service overseas; and

      (b) Voluntary service within the United States during or in response to an emergency or disaster declared by local, state or federal government. [2009 c.378 §2; 2011 c.18 §1; 2021 c.62 §2]

 

(Leave of Absence for State Service)

 

      659A.086 Employment rights of members of organized militia when called into active state service. (1) An employee shall be granted a leave of absence by the employer of the employee to perform active state service if:

      (a) The employee is a member of the organized militia of this state and is called into active service of the state under ORS 399.065 or 399.075.

      (b) The employee is a member of the organized militia of another state and is called into active state service by the Governor of the respective state.

      (2) The employer shall grant the employee a leave of absence until release from active state service permits the employee to resume the duties of employment. The regular employment position of an employee on a leave of absence for active state service under this section is considered vacant only for the period of the leave of absence. The employee is not subject to removal or discharge from the position as a consequence of the leave of absence.

      (3) Upon the termination of the leave of absence for active state service, an employee shall:

      (a) Resume the duties of employment within seven calendar days; and

      (b) Be restored to the employee’s position or an equivalent position by the employer without loss of seniority, vacation credits, sick leave credits, service credits under a pension plan or any other employee benefit or right that had been earned at the time of the leave of absence.

      (4) An employer is not required to pay wages or other monetary compensation to an employee during a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section.

      (5) Notwithstanding subsection (4) of this section:

      (a) The State of Oregon shall continue coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan to an employee of the State of Oregon and any other individual provided coverage under the employee’s plan on the day before the date the employee goes on leave for a period not exceeding a total of 12 months during a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section.

      (b) An employer other than the State of Oregon may continue coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan to an employee and any other individual provided coverage under the employee’s plan on the day before the date the employee goes on leave during a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section.

      (6)(a) Notwithstanding subsection (4) of this section, the State of Oregon, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state may establish and administer a donated leave program that:

      (A) Allows an employee who is on a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section to receive donated leave; and

      (B) Allows an employee to voluntarily donate vacation time to an eligible employee on a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section.

      (b) An employee who is on a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section and who receives donated leave under paragraph (a) of this subsection may receive an amount of donated leave that supplements any pay received as a member of the organized militia, but may not receive more than the amount the employee was earning in total compensation on the date the employee began the leave of absence.

      (7) For the purpose of calculating total compensation under subsection (6) of this section, the State of Oregon, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state shall:

      (a) Include any amounts attributable to hours of overtime that equal the average number of hours of overtime for the same employee class;

      (b) Determine the average number of hours of overtime for an employee class based on a reasonable expectation of the average number of hours of overtime employees in that class would perform over the course of a calendar year; and

      (c) Maintain records of the average number of hours of overtime for each employee class for each calendar year.

      (8) As used in this section:

      (a) “Active service of the state” has the meaning given that term in ORS 396.005.

      (b) “Employee” means any individual, other than a copartner of the employer or an independent contractor, who renders personal services in this state to an employer who pays or agrees to pay wages or other compensation to the individual for those services.

      (c) “Employee class” means a group of similarly situated employees whose positions have been designated by their employer in a policy or a collective bargaining agreement as having common characteristics.

      (d) “Employer” means any person who employs one or more employees in this state. The term includes the State of Oregon or any county, city, district, authority, public corporation or entity and any of their instrumentalities organized and existing under law or charter, but does not include the federal government.

      (e) “Total compensation” means the total of an employee’s base salary, differentials and overtime. [Formerly 399.230; 2013 c.81 §28; 2023 c.122 §10]

 

      Note: 659A.086, 659A.088 and 659A.089 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 659A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      659A.088 Violation of ORS 659A.086 as unlawful employment practice; complaint; remedies and penalties. (1) Any violation of ORS 659A.086 (1) to (3) by an employer is an unlawful employment practice.

      (2) Complaints alleging a violation of ORS 659A.086 (1) to (3) may be filed by employees with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries in the manner provided by ORS 659A.820. The commissioner shall enforce ORS 659A.086 in the manner provided in ORS chapter 659A regarding other unlawful employment practices.

      (3) Violation of ORS 659A.086 (1) to (3) subjects the violator to the same civil remedies and penalties as provided in ORS chapter 659A. [Formerly 399.235]

 

      Note: See note under 659A.086.

 

(Notification to Director of Veterans’ Affairs)

 

      659A.089 Notification to Director of Veterans’ Affairs. (1) As used in this section, “uniformed service” means the Armed Forces of the United States, the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard when the member is engaged in active duty for training, inactive duty for training or full-time National Guard duty, the commissioned corps of the United States Public Health Service and any other category of persons designated by the President of the United States in time of war or national emergency.

      (2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall notify the Director of Veterans’ Affairs within 30 days of receipt of written information from, or the filing of a complaint for violation of ORS 659A.082 or 659A.086 by, a member or veteran of a uniformed service.

      (3) The commissioner shall notify the director as required by subsection (2) of this section only if authorized to do so by the member or veteran of a uniformed service who submitted the written information or filed the complaint. [2012 c.44 §1]

 

      Note: See note under 659A.086.

 

(Oregon Military Family Leave Act)

 

      659A.090 Definitions for ORS 659A.090 to 659A.099. As used in ORS 659A.090 to 659A.099:

      (1) Notwithstanding ORS 659A.001, “employee” means an individual who performs services for compensation for an employer for an average of at least 20 hours per week. “Employee” includes all individuals employed at any site owned or operated by an employer, but does not include independent contractors.

      (2) Notwithstanding ORS 659A.001, “employer” means:

      (a) A person, firm, corporation, partnership, legal representative or other business entity that engages in any business, industry, profession or activity in this state and that employs 25 or more persons in the State of Oregon for each working day during each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in the year in which leave is taken under ORS 659A.093 or the year immediately preceding the year in which the leave is to be taken;

      (b) The state, and a department, agency, board or commission of the state; and

      (c) A local government, including, but not limited to, a county, city, town, municipal corporation, independent public corporation or political subdivision of the state.

      (3) “Period of military conflict” means a period of war:

      (a) Declared by the United States Congress;

      (b) Declared by executive order of the President of the United States; or

      (c) In which a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States is ordered to active duty pursuant to Title 32 of the United States Code or section 12301 or 12302 of Title 10 of the United States Code. [2009 c.559 §3]

 

      659A.093 Employer required to provide leave; job protection; benefits; notice to employer; use of accrued leave; rules. (1) During a period of military conflict, an employee who is a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard or the military reserve forces of the United States who has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty or who has been deployed is entitled to a total of 14 days of unpaid leave per deployment after the military spouse has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty and before deployment and when the military spouse is on leave from deployment.

      (2) An employee who takes leave authorized under this section is entitled to be restored to a position of employment and to the continuation of benefits as provided in ORS 659A.171.

      (3) An employee who intends to take leave as authorized under this section must provide the employer with notice of the intention to take leave within five business days of receiving official notice of an impending call or order to active duty or of a leave from deployment.

      (4) An employee who takes leave authorized under this section may elect to substitute any accrued leave to which the employee is entitled for any part of the leave provided under this section.

      (5) Leave taken under this section shall be included in the total amount of leave authorized under ORS 659A.162.

      (6) The Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt rules necessary for the implementation and administration of ORS 659A.090 to 659A.099. [2009 c.559 §4]

 

      659A.096 Denial of leave, retaliation and discrimination prohibited. It is an unlawful practice for an employer to:

      (1) Deny military family leave to an employee who is entitled to such leave under ORS 659A.090 to 659A.099; or

      (2) Retaliate or in any way discriminate against an individual with respect to hire or tenure or any other term or condition of employment because the individual has inquired about the provisions of ORS 659A.090 to 659A.099, submitted a request for military family leave or invoked any provision of ORS 659A.090 to 659A.099. [2009 c.559 §5]

 

      659A.099 Short title. ORS 659A.090 to 659A.099 may be cited as the Oregon Military Family Leave Act. [2009 c.559 §2]

 

      659A.100 [Formerly 659.400; 2003 c.254 §1; 2007 c.70 §289; 2009 c.508 §3; renumbered 659A.122 in 2009]

 

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 

      659A.103 Policy. (1) It is declared to be the public policy of Oregon to guarantee individuals the fullest possible participation in the social and economic life of the state, to engage in remunerative employment, to use and enjoy places of public accommodation, resort or amusement, to participate in and receive the benefits of the services, programs and activities of state government and to secure housing accommodations of their choice, without discrimination on the basis of disability.

      (2) The guarantees expressed in subsection (1) of this section are hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Oregon to protect, and ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145 shall be construed to effectuate such policy. [Formerly 659.405; 2003 c.254 §2; 2007 c.70 §290; 2009 c.508 §4]

 

      659A.104 Description of disability for purposes of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145. (1) An individual has a disability for the purposes of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145 if the individual meets any one of the following criteria:

      (a) The individual has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of the individual.

      (b) The individual has a record of having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of the individual. For the purposes of this paragraph, an individual has a record of having a physical or mental impairment if the individual has a history of, or has been misclassified as having, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of the individual.

      (c) The individual is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of the individual. For the purposes of this paragraph:

      (A) An individual is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment if the individual has been subjected to an action prohibited under ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139 because of an actual or perceived physical or mental impairment, whether or not the impairment limits or is perceived to limit a major life activity of the individual.

      (B) An individual is not regarded as having a physical or mental impairment if the individual has an impairment that is minor and that has an actual or expected duration of six months or less.

      (2) Activities and functions that are considered major life activities for the purpose of determining if an individual has a disability include but are not limited to:

      (a) Caring for oneself;

      (b) Performing manual tasks;

      (c) Seeing;

      (d) Hearing;

      (e) Eating;

      (f) Sleeping;

      (g) Walking;

      (h) Standing;

      (i) Lifting;

      (j) Bending;

      (k) Speaking;

      (L) Breathing;

      (m) Learning;

      (n) Reading;

      (o) Concentrating;

      (p) Thinking;

      (q) Communicating;

      (r) Working;

      (s) Socializing;

      (t) Sitting;

      (u) Reaching;

      (v) Interacting with others;

      (w) Employment;

      (x) Ambulation;

      (y) Transportation;

      (z) Operation of a major bodily function, including but not limited to:

      (A) Functions of the immune system;

      (B) Normal cell growth; and

      (C) Digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine and reproductive functions; and

      (aa) Ability to acquire, rent or maintain property.

      (3) An individual is substantially limited in a major life activity if the individual has an impairment, had an impairment or is perceived as having an impairment that restricts one or more major life activities of the individual as compared to most people in the general population. An impairment need not prevent, or significantly or severely restrict, the individual from performing a major life activity in order to be considered substantially limiting. An impairment that substantially limits one major life activity of the individual need not limit other major life activities of the individual. An impairment that is episodic or in remission is considered to substantially limit a major life activity of the individual if the impairment would substantially limit a major life activity of the individual when the impairment is active. Nonetheless, not every impairment will constitute a disability within the meaning of this section.

      (4) When determining whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity of an individual, the determination shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures, including:

      (a) Medication;

      (b) Medical supplies, equipment or appliances;

      (c) Low vision devices or other devices that magnify, enhance or otherwise augment a visual image, except that ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses or other similar lenses that are intended to fully correct visual acuity or eliminate refractive error may be considered when determining whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity of an individual;

      (d) Prosthetics, including limbs and devices;

      (e) Hearing aids, cochlear implants or other implantable hearing devices;

      (f) Mobility devices;

      (g) Oxygen therapy equipment or supplies;

      (h) Assistive technology;

      (i) Reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids or services; or

      (j) Learned behavioral or adaptive neurological modifications.

      (5) Nothing in subsection (4)(c) of this section authorizes an employer to use qualification standards, employment tests or other selection criteria based on an individual’s uncorrected vision unless the standard, test or other selection criteria, as used by the employer, are shown to be job-related for the position in question and is consistent with business necessity. [2009 c.508 §2; 2013 c.105 §1]

 

      659A.106 Employers to whom ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139 apply. The requirements of ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139 apply only to employers who employ six or more persons. The requirements of ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139 do not apply to the Oregon National Guard. [2001 c.621 §23; 2011 c.210 §1]

 

      659A.109 Discrimination against individual for using procedures in ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145 prohibited. It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against an individual with respect to hire or tenure or any term or condition of employment because the individual has applied for benefits or invoked or used the procedures provided for in ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145 or has given testimony under the provisions of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145. [Formerly 659.410; 2009 c.508 §5]

 

      659A.112 Employment discrimination. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for any employer to refuse to hire, employ or promote, to bar or discharge from employment or to discriminate in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment on the basis of disability.

      (2) An employer violates subsection (1) of this section if the employer does any of the following:

      (a) The employer limits, segregates or classifies a job applicant or employee in a way that adversely affects the opportunities or status of the applicant or employee because the applicant or employee has a disability.

      (b) The employer participates in a contractual or other arrangement or relationship that has the effect of subjecting a qualified job applicant or employee with a disability to the discrimination prohibited by ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139, including but not limited to participating in a relationship with an employment or referral agency, a labor union, an organization providing fringe benefits to an employee of the employer, or an organization providing training and apprenticeship programs.

      (c) The employer utilizes standards, criteria or methods of administration that have the effect of discrimination on the basis of disability, or that perpetuate the discrimination of others who are subject to common administrative control.

      (d) The employer excludes or otherwise denies equal jobs or benefits to a qualified individual because the individual is known to have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability.

      (e) The employer does not make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified individual with a disability who is a job applicant or employee, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer.

      (f) The employer denies employment opportunities to a job applicant or employee who is a qualified individual with a disability, if the denial is based on the need of the employer to make reasonable accommodation to the physical or mental impairments of the employee or applicant.

      (g) The employer uses qualification standards, employment tests or other selection criteria, including those based on an individual’s uncorrected vision or unaided hearing, that screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability or a class of individuals with disabilities unless the standard, test or other selection criterion, as used by the employer, is shown to be job-related for the position in question and is consistent with business necessity.

      (h) The employer fails to select and administer tests relating to employment in the most effective manner to ensure that when the test is administered to a job applicant or employee who has a disability that impairs sensory, manual or speaking skills, the test results accurately reflect the skills, aptitude or other characteristics of the applicant or employee that the test purports to measure, rather than reflecting the impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills of the employee or applicant. The provisions of this paragraph do not limit the ability of an employer to select or administer tests designed to measure sensory, manual or speaking skills of an employee or job applicant. [Formerly 659.436; 2007 c.70 §291; 2009 c.508 §6]

 

      659A.115 Qualification for position. For the purposes of ORS 659A.112, an individual is qualified for a position if the individual, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position. For the purpose of determining the essential functions of the position, due consideration shall be given to the employer’s determination as to the essential functions of a position. If an employer has prepared a written description before advertising or interviewing applicants for a job, the position description shall be considered evidence of the essential functions of the job. [Formerly 659.437; 2007 c.70 §292; 2009 c.508 §7]

 

      659A.118 Reasonable accommodation. (1) For the purposes of ORS 659A.112, reasonable accommodation may include:

      (a) Making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

      (b) Job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules or reassignment to a vacant position.

      (c) Acquisition or modification of equipment or devices.

      (d) Appropriate adjustment or modification of examinations, training materials or policies.

      (e) The provision of qualified readers or interpreters.

      (2) An employer is not required to provide a reasonable accommodation to an individual who satisfies the criteria for being an individual with a disability for the purposes of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145 solely because the individual meets the criterion described in ORS 659A.104 (1)(c). [Formerly 659.439; 2007 c.70 §293; 2009 c.508 §8; 2019 c.71 §1]

 

      659A.121 Undue hardship. (1) For the purposes of ORS 659A.112, an accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer if the accommodation requires significant difficulty or expense.

      (2) For the purpose of determining whether an accommodation requires significant difficulty or expense, the following factors shall be considered:

      (a) The nature and the cost of the accommodation needed.

      (b) The overall financial resources of the facility or facilities involved in the provision of the accommodation, the number of persons employed at the facility and the effect on expenses and resources or other impacts on the operation of the facility caused by the accommodation.

      (c) The overall financial resources of the employer, the overall size of the business of the employer with respect to the number of its employees and the number, type and location of the employer’s facilities.

      (d) The type of operations conducted by the employer, including the composition, structure and functions of the workforce of the employer and the geographic separateness and administrative or fiscal relationship of the facility or facilities in question to the employer. [Formerly 659.440]

 

      659A.122 Definitions for ORS 659A.124, 659A.127 and 659A.130. As used in this section and ORS 659A.124, 659A.127 and 659A.130:

      (1) “Drug” means a controlled substance, as classified in schedules I through V of section 202 of the federal Controlled Substances Act, as amended, and as modified under ORS 475.035.

      (2) “Illegal use of drugs” means any use of drugs, the possession or distribution of which is unlawful under state law or under the federal Controlled Substances Act, as amended, but does not include the use of a drug taken under supervision of a licensed health care professional, or other uses authorized under the Controlled Substances Act or under other provisions of state or federal law. [Formerly 659A.100]

 

      Note: 659A.122 was made a part of 659A.103 to 659A.145 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      659A.124 Illegal use of drugs. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the protections of ORS 659A.112 do not apply to any job applicant or employee who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs if the employer takes action based on that conduct.

      (2) The protections of ORS 659A.112 apply to the following individuals:

      (a) An individual who has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs.

      (b) An individual who is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs.

      (c) An individual who is erroneously regarded as engaging in the illegal use of drugs.

      (3) An employer may adopt or administer reasonable policies or procedures, including but not limited to drug testing, designed to ensure that an individual described in subsection (2)(a) or (b) of this section is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs. [Formerly 659.442; 2009 c.508 §9]

 

      659A.127 Permitted employer action. ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139 do not affect the ability of an employer to do any of the following:

      (1) An employer may prohibit the transfer, offering, sale, purchase or illegal use of drugs at the workplace by any employee. An employer may prohibit possession of drugs except for drugs prescribed by a licensed health care professional.

      (2) An employer may prohibit the use of alcohol at the workplace by any employee.

      (3) An employer may require that employees not be under the influence of alcohol or illegally used drugs at the workplace.

      (4) An employer may require that employees behave in conformance with the requirements established under the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.

      (5) An employer may hold an employee who engages in the illegal use of drugs or who is an alcoholic to the same qualification standards for employment, job performance and behavior to which the employer holds other employees, even if the unsatisfactory performance or behavior is related to the alcoholism of or the illegal use of drugs by the employee.

      (6) An employer may require that employees comply with all federal and state statutes and regulations regarding alcohol and the illegal use of drugs. [Formerly 659.444]

 

      659A.130 Conditions that do not constitute impairment. For the purposes of ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139, the following conditions are not physical or mental impairments, and an individual with one or more of the following conditions does not have a disability for the purposes of ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139 solely by reason of that condition:

      (1) Pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism or other sexual behavior disorders.

      (2) Compulsive gambling, kleptomania or pyromania.

      (3) Psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal use of drugs. [Formerly 659.446; 2007 c.70 §294; 2009 c.508 §10; 2019 c.71 §2; 2021 c.367 §36]

 

      659A.133 Medical examinations and inquiries of job applicants. (1) Except as provided in this section, an employer violates ORS 659A.112 if the employer conducts a medical examination of a job applicant, makes inquiries of a job applicant as to whether the applicant has a disability or makes inquiries as to the nature or severity of any disability of the applicant.

      (2) An employer may make inquiries into the ability of a job applicant to perform job-related functions.

      (3) An employer may require a medical examination after an offer of employment has been made to a job applicant and before the commencement of the employment duties of the applicant, and condition the employment on the results of the examination, if the following conditions are met:

      (a) All individuals entering the employ of the employer must be subject to the examination regardless of disability.

      (b) Information obtained regarding the medical condition or history of the applicant is collected and maintained on separate forms and in separate medical files and is treated as a confidential medical record, except as follows:

      (A) Supervisors and managers may be informed regarding necessary restrictions on the work or duties of the employee and necessary accommodations.

      (B) First aid and safety personnel may be informed, when appropriate, if the disability might require emergency treatment.

      (C) Officers and employees of the Bureau of Labor and Industries investigating compliance with ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139 shall be provided relevant information on request.

      (c) The results of an examination authorized under this subsection may only be used in the manner provided for in ORS 659A.112 to 659A.139. [Formerly 659.447; 2007 c.70 §295; 2009 c.508 §11]

 

      659A.136 Medical examinations and inquiries of employees. (1) Except as provided in this section, an employer may not require that an employee submit to a medical examination, may not make inquiries of an employee as to whether the employee has a disability, and may not make inquiries of an employee as to the nature or severity of any disability of the employee, unless the examination or inquiry is shown to be job-related and consistent with business necessity.

      (2) An employer may conduct voluntary medical examinations, including voluntary medical histories, that are part of an employee health program available to employees at that work site. An employer may make inquiries into the ability of an employee to perform job-related functions.

      (3) Information obtained under subsection (2) of this section relating to the medical condition or history of any employee is subject to the same restrictions applicable to information acquired from medical examinations authorized under ORS 659A.133. [Formerly 659.448; 2007 c.70 §296; 2009 c.508 §12]

 

      659A.139 Construction of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145. (1) ORS 659A.103 to 659A.144 shall be construed to the extent possible in a manner that is consistent with any similar provisions of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended by the federal ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and as otherwise amended.

      (2) The determination of whether an individual has a disability as provided in ORS 659A.104 (1) shall be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals under ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145, to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145. [Formerly 659.449; 2009 c.508 §13; 2013 c.740 §12]

 

      659A.141 Damages recoverable for harm or theft of assistance animal. (1) In addition to and not in lieu of any other penalty provided by state law, a person with a disability who uses an assistance animal or the owner of an assistance animal may bring an action for economic and noneconomic damages against any person who steals or, without provocation, attacks the assistance animal. The person with a disability or the owner may also bring an action for such damages against the owner of any animal that, without provocation, attacks an assistance animal. The action authorized by this subsection may be brought by the person with a disability or the owner even if the assistance animal was in the custody or under the supervision of another person when the theft or attack occurred.

      (2) If the theft of or unprovoked attack on an assistance animal described in subsection (1) of this section results in the death of the animal or the animal is not returned or if injuries sustained in the theft or attack prevent the animal from returning to service as an assistance animal, the measure of economic damages shall include, but need not be limited to, the replacement value of an equally trained assistance animal, without any differentiation for the age or the experience of the animal. In addition, the person with a disability or the owner may recover any other costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, costs of temporary replacement assistance services, whether provided by another assistance animal or a person, incurred as a result of the theft of or injury to the animal.

      (3) If the theft of or unprovoked attack on an assistance animal described in subsection (1) of this section results in injuries from which the animal recovers and returns to service, or if the animal is stolen but is recovered and returns to service, the measure of economic damages shall include, but need not be limited to, the veterinary medical expenses, costs of temporary replacement assistance services, whether provided by another assistance animal or a person, and any other costs and expenses incurred by the person with a disability or the owner as a result of the theft of or injury to the animal.

      (4) A cause of action does not arise under this section if the person with a disability, the owner or the person having custody or supervision of the assistance animal was committing a criminal or civil trespass at the time of the theft of or attack on the assistance animal.

      (5) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing plaintiff in an action under this section. The court may award reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees incurred by a defendant who prevails in the action if the court determines that the plaintiff had no objectively reasonable basis for asserting a claim or no objectively reasonable basis for appealing an adverse decision of a trial court.

      (6) As used in this section, “assistance animal” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.143. [Formerly 346.687]

 

      Note: 659A.141 was added to and made a part of ORS chapter 659 by legislative action but was not added to ORS chapter 659A or any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      659A.142 Discrimination against individual with disability by employment agency, labor organization, place of public accommodation or state government prohibited; discrimination in provision of healthcare; mental disorder treatment not evidence of inability to manage property. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Health care facility” has the meaning given that term in ORS 442.015.

      (b) “Health professional regulatory board” has the meaning given that term in ORS 676.160.

      (c) “Medical resources” includes but is not limited to:

      (A) Medical devices or equipment.

      (B) Prescription drugs.

      (C) Laboratory testing.

      (d) “Provider” means:

      (A) An individual licensed or certified by a health professional regulatory board.

      (B) A health care facility.

      (e) “State government” has the meaning given that term in ORS 174.111.

      (2) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employment agency to fail or refuse to refer for employment, or otherwise discriminate against, any individual because that individual has a disability, or to classify or refer for employment any individual because that individual has a disability.

      (3) It is an unlawful employment practice for a labor organization, because an individual has a disability, to exclude or to expel from its membership such individual or to discriminate in any way against such individual.

      (4) It is an unlawful practice for any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement as defined in ORS 659A.400, or any person acting on behalf of such place, to make any distinction, discrimination or restriction because a customer or patron is an individual with a disability.

      (5)(a) It is an unlawful practice for state government to exclude an individual from participation in or deny an individual the benefits of the services, programs or activities of state government or to make any distinction, discrimination or restriction because the individual has a disability.

      (b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection is intended to ensure equal access to available services, programs and activities of state government.

      (c) Paragraph (a) of this subsection is not intended to:

      (A) Create an independent entitlement to any service, program or activity of state government; or

      (B) Require state government to take any action that state government can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program or activity of state government or would result in undue financial or administrative burdens on state government.

      (6)(a) It is an unlawful practice for a provider or any person acting on behalf of a provider to discriminate by doing any of the following based on the patient’s race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability:

      (A) Deny medical treatment to the patient that is likely to benefit the patient based on an individualized assessment of the patient using objective medical evidence; or

      (B) Limit or restrict in any manner the allocation of medical resources to the patient.

      (b) In determining whether medical treatment is likely to benefit a patient under paragraph (a)(A) of this subsection, a provider shall consult with the patient and others legally authorized to act on behalf of the patient, if available.

      (c) This subsection does not:

      (A) Restrict the authority of a patient, or an individual legally authorized to act on behalf of a patient, to consent to or decline medical treatment;

      (B) Require the provision of medical treatment that is prohibited by state or federal law; or

      (C) Restrict a provider, after completing the individualized assessment described in paragraph (a)(A) of this subsection and the consultation described in paragraph (b) of this subsection, from providing objective information to the patient about the risks and benefits of treatment.

      (7) Receipt or alleged receipt of treatment for a mental disorder does not constitute evidence of an individual’s inability to acquire, rent or maintain property. [Formerly 659.425; 2003 c.254 §3; 2007 c.70 §297; 2009 c.508 §14; 2021 c.584 §1]

 

      659A.143 Assistance animals. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Assistance animal” means a dog or other animal designated by administrative rule that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual.

      (b) “Assistance animal trainee” means an animal that is undergoing a course of development and training to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual that directly relate to the disability of the individual.

      (c) “Assistance animal trainer” means an individual exercising care, custody and control over an assistance animal trainee during a course of training designed to develop the trainee into an assistance animal.

      (d) “Place of public accommodation” means a place of public accommodation as defined in ORS 659A.400.

      (2) A place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities may not:

      (a) Ask an individual about the nature or extent of a disability that the individual has or may have;

      (b) Require an individual to provide documentation proving that an animal is an assistance animal or an assistance animal trainee; or

      (c) Notwithstanding any fee or admission charge imposed for pets, require that a person with a disability or an assistance animal trainer pay a fee or admission charge for an assistance animal or assistance animal trainee.

      (3) A place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities may:

      (a) Ask whether an animal is required due to a disability; and

      (b) Ask about the nature of the work or task that an animal is trained to do or perform or is being trained to do or perform, unless it is readily apparent that the animal performs or is being trained to perform work or a task for the benefit of a person with a disability.

      (4) If a place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities customarily charges a person for damages that the person causes to the place, the place may charge a person with a disability or an assistance animal trainer for damages that an assistance animal or assistance animal trainee causes to the place.

      (5) A person with a disability or an assistance animal trainer must maintain control of an assistance animal or assistance animal trainee. Except as provided in this subsection, control shall be exerted by means of a harness, leash or other tether. If the use of a harness, leash or other tether would interfere with the ability of the animal to do the work or perform the tasks for which the animal is trained or is being trained, control may be exerted by the effective use of voice commands, signals or other means. If an animal is not under control as required in this subsection, a place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities may consider the animal to be out of control for purposes of subsection (6) of this section.

      (6)(a) Except as provided in this subsection, a place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities may not deny a person with a disability or an assistance animal trainer the right to be accompanied by an assistance animal or assistance animal trainee in any area of the place that is open to the public or to business invitees. A place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities may require a person with a disability or an assistance animal trainer to remove an assistance animal or assistance animal trainee if:

      (A) The animal is not housebroken; or

      (B) The animal is out of control and effective action is not taken to control the animal.

      (b) A place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities may impose legitimate requirements necessary for the safe operations of the place of public accommodation or the services, programs or activities. The place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities shall ensure that the safety requirements are based on actual risks, not on speculation, stereotypes or generalizations about persons with disabilities.

      (7) A place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities shall make reasonable modifications as necessary to allow an opportunity for a person with a disability who is benefited by the use of an assistance animal to obtain goods, services and the use of the advantages, facilities and privileges of the place or the advantages, facilities and privileges of the state government services, programs or activities. For purposes of this subsection, except as provided in subsections (6) and (8) of this section, in addition to any other applicable accommodation requirement, allowing the presence of the assistance animal is a reasonable modification.

      (8) If a place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities requires a person with a disability to remove an assistance animal under subsection (6) of this section, the place shall give the person with a disability a reasonable opportunity to obtain goods, services and the use of the advantages, facilities and privileges of the place or the advantages, facilities and privileges of the state government services, programs or activities without the assistance animal’s presence.

      (9) A place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities is not required to provide care or supervision for an assistance animal or assistance animal trainee.

      (10) The protection granted under this section to a person with a disability or an assistance animal trainer does not invalidate or limit the remedies, rights and procedures of any other federal, state or local laws that provide equal or greater protection of the rights of a person with a disability, an assistance animal trainer or individuals associated with a person with a disability. [2013 c.530 §§2,3]

 

      Note: 659A.143 was added to and made a part of 659A.103 to 659A.145 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      659A.144 Required accommodations in transient lodging; liability; limitations on applicability. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Lift system” means a system that:

      (A) Is used to transfer a person to a bed, toilet, shower or bathtub, but does not provide the person with independent mobility;

      (B) May be a manual lift, an electronic lift or a lift that uses a track system; and

      (C) May require operation by an assistant.

      (b) “Transient lodging” means a unit consisting of a room or suite of rooms that:

      (A) Is not occupied as a principal residence;

      (B) Is typically occupied for periods of fewer than 30 consecutive days; and

      (C) Includes services that are part of the regularly charged cost of occupancy, including maid and linen services.

      (2) A transient lodging provider shall ensure that at least one room or suite of rooms of the transient lodging facility has a lift system or multiple lift systems that enable a person with a disability to access the following in the room or suite of rooms occupied by the person with a disability:

      (a) A bed;

      (b) A toilet; and

      (c) A shower or bathtub.

      (3) A lift system shall be made available by a transient lodging provider at no cost to a person with a disability, but the person is responsible for providing:

      (a) The person’s own sling or other personal equipment that is required to use the lift system; and

      (b) Any assistant necessary for the operation of the lift system.

      (4) A transient lodging provider is not liable for any injury caused by the use of a lift system, unless the injury is caused by the gross negligence or recklessness of the provider in relation to the provision and maintenance of the lift system.

      (5)(a) The requirements of this section apply only to transient lodging facilities that:

      (A) Consist of 175 or more rooms or suites of rooms; and

      (B) Are newly constructed or that are altered in a manner that affects or could affect the usability of the facility in a manner that requires the facility to be in compliance with the accessibility standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

      (b) For the purpose of this subsection, the usability of a facility is not affected by cosmetic changes, including, but not limited to, changes in:

      (A) Floor coverings;

      (B) Wall coverings;

      (C) Soft or hard surfaces, including upholstery, drapery, window treatments, countertops, vanities and cabinetry; and

      (D) Furnishings, including furniture or fixtures.

      (6) Any violation of this section is an unlawful practice. [2009 c.841 §2]

 

      659A.145 Discrimination against individual with disability in real property transactions prohibited; advertising discriminatory preference prohibited; allowance for reasonable modification; assisting discriminatory practices prohibited. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Dwelling” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.421.

      (b) “Purchaser” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.421.

      (2) A person may not discriminate because of a disability of a purchaser, a disability of an individual residing in or intending to reside in a dwelling after it is sold, rented or made available or a disability of any individual associated with a purchaser by doing any of the following:

      (a) Refusing to sell, lease, rent or otherwise make available any real property to a purchaser.

      (b) Expelling a purchaser.

      (c) Making any distinction or restriction against a purchaser in the price, terms, conditions or privileges relating to the sale, rental, lease or occupancy of real property or the furnishing of any facilities or services in connection with the real property.

      (d) Attempting to discourage the sale, rental or lease of any real property.

      (e) Representing that a dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, rental or lease when the dwelling is in fact available for inspection, sale, rental or lease.

      (f) Refusing to permit, at the expense of the individual with a disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the individual if the modifications may be necessary to afford the individual full enjoyment of the premises. However, in the case of a rental, the landlord may, when it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a reasonable modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

      (g) Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when the accommodations may be necessary to afford the individual with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

      (h) Failing to design and construct a covered multifamily dwelling as required by the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.).

      (3) A person may not publish, circulate, issue or display or cause to be published, circulated, issued or displayed any communication, notice, advertisement, or sign of any kind relating to the sale, rental or leasing of real property that indicates any preference, limitation, specification or discrimination against an individual on the basis of disability.

      (4) A person whose business includes engaging in residential real estate related transactions, as defined in ORS 659A.421 (3), may not discriminate against any individual in making a transaction available, or in the terms or conditions of the transaction, because of a disability.

      (5) A real estate broker or principal real estate broker may not accept or retain a listing of real property for sale, lease or rental with an understanding that the purchaser, lessee or renter may be discriminated against solely because an individual has a disability.

      (6) A person may not deny access to, or membership or participation in, any multiple listing service, real estate brokers’ organization or other service, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings, or discriminate against any individual in the terms or conditions of the access, membership or participation, because that individual has a disability.

      (7) A person may not assist, induce, incite or coerce another person to commit an act or engage in a practice that violates this section.

      (8) A person may not coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of having aided or encouraged any other individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this section.

      (9) A person may not, for profit, induce or attempt to induce any other person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of an individual who has a disability.

      (10) In the sale, lease or rental of real property, a person may not disclose to any person that an occupant or owner of the real property has or died from a blood-borne infection.

      (11) Any violation of this section is an unlawful practice. [Formerly 659.430; 2007 c.70 §298; 2007 c.903 §3a; 2008 c.36 §5; 2009 c.109 §1; 2009 c.508 §16; 2019 c.280 §12]

 

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AND REASONABLE

ACCOMMODATION RELATED TO PREGNANCY

 

      659A.146 Reasonable accommodation. For purposes of ORS 659A.147, reasonable accommodation may include, but need not be limited to:

      (1) Acquisition or modification of equipment or devices;

      (2) More frequent or longer break periods or periodic rest;

      (3) Assistance with manual labor; or

      (4) Modification of work schedules or job assignments. [2019 c.139 §2]

 

      659A.147 Prohibited conduct; posting requirements; Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries to develop training and education materials; undue hardship exception; remedies. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer, because of known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation, of a job applicant or an employee, to:

      (a) Deny employment opportunities to an applicant or employee if the denial is based on the need of the employer to make reasonable accommodation to the known limitations.

      (b) Fail or refuse to make reasonable accommodation to the known limitations, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer.

      (c) Take an adverse employment action or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an applicant or an employee, with respect to hire or tenure, or any other term or condition of employment, because the applicant or employee has inquired about, requested or used a reasonable accommodation under this section.

      (d) Require an applicant or an employee to accept a reasonable accommodation that is unnecessary for the applicant or the employee to perform the essential duties of the job or to accept a reasonable accommodation if the applicant or employee does not have a known limitation.

      (e) Require an employee to take family leave under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186, or any other leave, if the employer can make reasonable accommodation to the known limitations.

      (2)(a) An employer shall post signs that provide notice informing employees of the employment protections under this section, including the right to be free from discrimination because of pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, and the right to reasonable accommodation under this section.

      (b) The employer shall post the signs in a conspicuous and accessible location in or about the premises where employees work.

      (c) In addition to posting the signs, the employer shall provide a written copy of the notice to:

      (A) A new employee, at the time of hire;

      (B) Existing employees, within 180 days after January 1, 2020; and

      (C) An employee who informs the employer of the employee’s pregnancy, within 10 days after the employer receives the information.

      (3) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall develop training and education materials that the Bureau of Labor and Industries may use to train and educate employers and employees regarding the obligations, rights and protections provided in ORS 659A.030 and under this section.

      (4)(a) For purposes of this section, a reasonable accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the operation of the business of an employer if the reasonable accommodation requires significant difficulty or expense.

      (b) Whether a reasonable accommodation requires significant difficulty or expense shall be determined by considering the factors provided in ORS 659A.121 (2).

      (5) An employee who alleges a violation of this section may bring a civil action under ORS 659A.885 or may file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries in the manner provided by ORS 659A.820.

      (6)(a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt, limit, diminish or otherwise affect any provision of state or federal law relating to discrimination because of sex.

      (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the remedies or rights under federal or state law that provide greater or equal protection for employees who are affected by pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition. [2019 c.139 §3]

 

      659A.148 Employers to whom provisions relating to reasonable accommodation apply. The requirements of ORS 659A.147 apply only to employers who employ six or more persons. [2019 c.139 §4]

 

FAMILY LEAVE

 

      659A.150 Definitions for ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186. As used in ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186:

      (1) “Covered employer” means an employer described in ORS 659A.153.

      (2) “Eligible employee” means any employee of a covered employer other than those employees exempted under the provisions of ORS 659A.156.

      (3) “Family leave” means a leave of absence described in ORS 659A.159, except that “family leave” does not include leave taken by an eligible employee who is unable to work because of a disabling compensable injury, as defined in ORS 656.005, under ORS chapter 656.

      (4) “Family member” means:

      (a) The spouse of a covered individual;

      (b) A child of a covered individual or the child’s spouse or domestic partner;

      (c) A parent of a covered individual or the parent’s spouse or domestic partner;

      (d) A sibling or stepsibling of a covered individual or the sibling’s or stepsibling’s spouse or domestic partner;

      (e) A grandparent of a covered individual or the grandparent’s spouse or domestic partner;

      (f) A grandchild of a covered individual or the grandchild’s spouse or domestic partner;

      (g) The domestic partner of a covered individual; or

      (h) Any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with a covered individual is the equivalent of a family relationship.

      (5) “Health care provider” means:

      (a) A person who is primarily responsible for providing health care to an eligible employee or a family member of an eligible employee, who is performing within the scope of the person’s professional license or certificate and who is:

      (A) A physician licensed under ORS chapter 677;

      (B) A physician assistant licensed under ORS 677.505 to 677.525;

      (C) A dentist licensed under ORS 679.090;

      (D) A psychologist licensed under ORS 675.030;

      (E) An optometrist licensed under ORS 683.070;

      (F) A naturopath licensed under ORS 685.080;

      (G) A registered nurse licensed under ORS 678.050;

      (H) A nurse practitioner licensed under ORS 678.375;

      (I) A direct entry midwife licensed under ORS 687.420;

      (J) A licensed registered nurse licensed by the Oregon State Board of Nursing as a nurse practitioner specializing in nurse midwifery;

      (K) A regulated social worker authorized to practice regulated social work under ORS 675.510 to 675.600; or

      (L) A chiropractic physician licensed under ORS 684.054, but only to the extent the chiropractic physician provides treatment consisting of manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation demonstrated to exist by X-rays.

      (b) A person who is primarily responsible for the treatment of an eligible employee or a family member of an eligible employee solely through spiritual means, including but not limited to a Christian Science practitioner.

      (6) “Public health emergency” means:

      (a) A public health emergency declared under ORS 433.441.

      (b) An emergency declared under ORS 401.165 if related to a public health emergency as defined in ORS 433.442.

      (7) “Serious health condition” means:

      (a) An illness, injury, impairment or physical or mental condition that requires inpatient care in a hospital, hospice or residential medical care facility;

      (b) An illness, disease or condition that in the medical judgment of the treating health care provider poses an imminent danger of death, is terminal in prognosis with a reasonable possibility of death in the near future, or requires constant care;

      (c) Any period of disability due to pregnancy, or period of absence for prenatal care; or

      (d) Any period of absence for the donation of a body part, organ or tissue, including preoperative or diagnostic services, surgery, post-operative treatment and recovery. [Formerly 659.470; 2005 c.171 §1; 2007 c.633 §1; 2007 c.777 §1; 2009 c.442 §43; 2013 c.129 §34; 2014 c.45 §72; 2019 c.233 §3; 2019 c.265 §1; 2019 c.358 §18; 2021 c.182 §1; 2023 c.203 §6]

 

      659A.153 Covered employers. (1) The requirements of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 apply only to employers who employ 25 or more persons in the State of Oregon for each working day during each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in the year in which the leave is to be taken or in the year immediately preceding the year in which the leave is to be taken.

      (2) The requirements of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 do not apply to any employer who offers to an eligible employee a nondiscriminatory cafeteria plan, as defined by section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, providing, as one of its options, employee leave at least as generous as the leave required by ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186. [Formerly 659.472]

 

      659A.156 Eligible employees; exceptions; eligibility during public health emergency; restoration of time worked. (1) All employees of a covered employer are eligible to take leave for one of the purposes specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(b) to (e) except:

      (a) An employee who was employed by the covered employer for fewer than 180 days immediately before the date on which the family leave would commence.

      (b) An employee who worked an average of fewer than 25 hours per week for the covered employer during the 180 days immediately preceding the date on which the family leave would commence.

      (2) All employees of a covered employer are eligible to take leave for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(a) except an employee who was employed by the covered employer for fewer than 180 days immediately before the date on which the family leave would commence.

      (3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, all employees of a covered employer are eligible to take leave for one of the purposes specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(a) to (e) during a period of time covered by a public health emergency except:

      (a) An employee who worked for the covered employer for fewer than 30 days immediately before the date on which the family leave would commence; or

      (b) An employee who worked for the covered employer for an average of fewer than 25 hours per week in the 30 days immediately before the date on which the family leave would commence.

      (4)(a) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, an employee of a covered employer is eligible to take leave for one of the purposes specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(a) to (e) if the employee:

      (A)(i) Separates from employment with the covered employer, irrespective of any reason;

      (ii) Is eligible to take leave under subsection (1) or (2) of this section at the time the employee separates; and

      (iii) Is reemployed by the covered employer within 180 days of separation from employment; or

      (B)(i) Is eligible to take leave under subsection (1) or (2) of this section at the beginning of a temporary cessation of scheduled hours of 180 days or less; and

      (ii) Returns to work at the end of the temporary cessation of scheduled hours of 180 days or less.

      (b) Any family leave taken by the employee within any one-year period continues to count against the length of time of family leave the employee is entitled under ORS 659A.162.

      (c) The amount of time that an employee is deemed to have worked for a covered employer prior to a break in service due to a separation from employment or a temporary cessation of scheduled hours shall be restored to the employee when the employee is reemployed by the employer within 180 days of separation from employment or when the employee returns to work at the end of the temporary cessation of scheduled hours of 180 days or less. [Formerly 659.474; 2013 c.384 §2; 2021 c.182 §2; 2023 c.9 §48]

 

      659A.157 Determining family member by reason of affinity. In order to determine whether an individual qualifies as a family member by reason of affinity, as that term is used in ORS 659A.150, consideration shall be given to whether there exists a significant personal bond attributable to factors, established by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries by rule, that, when examined in total, resemble a family relationship. [2023 c.203 §4]

 

      Note: Sections 1 and 5, chapter 203, Oregon Laws 2023, provide:

      Sec. 1. Sections 2 [659A.164], 4 [659A.157] and 5 [chapter 203, Oregon Laws 2023] are added to and made a part of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186. [2023 c.203 §1]

      Sec. 5. (1) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall adopt rules necessary to implement and administer section 4 of this 2023 Act [659A.157]. The rules may include rules for developing and using an attestation form by which an employee may attest to the affinity factors described in section 4 of this 2023 Act. Any rules adopted under this section relating to the factors described in section 4 of this 2023 Act shall be consistent with the rules established by the Employment Department under section 10 of this 2023 Act [657B.023].

      (2) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall adopt rules under this section in time for the rules to become operative no later than September 3, 2023. [2023 c.203 §5]

 

      659A.159 Purposes for which family leave may be taken. (1) Family leave under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 may be taken by an eligible employee for any of the following purposes:

      (a) To care for an infant or newly adopted child under 18 years of age, or for a newly placed foster child under 18 years of age, or for an adopted or foster child older than 18 years of age if the child is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability.

      (b) To care for a family member with a serious health condition.

      (c) To recover from or seek treatment for a serious health condition of the employee that renders the employee unable to perform at least one of the essential functions of the employee’s regular position.

      (d) To care for a child of the employee who is suffering from an illness, injury or condition that is not a serious health condition but that requires home care or who requires home care due to the closure of the child’s school or child care provider as a result of a public health emergency.

      (e) To deal with the death of a family member by:

      (A) Attending the funeral or alternative to a funeral of the family member;

      (B) Making arrangements necessitated by the death of the family member; or

      (C) Grieving the death of the family member.

      (2)(a) Leave under subsection (1)(a) of this section must be completed within 12 months after birth or placement of the child, and an eligible employee is not entitled to any period of family leave under subsection (1)(a) of this section after the expiration of 12 months after birth or placement of the child.

      (b) Leave under subsection (1)(e) of this section must be completed within 60 days of the date on which the eligible employee receives notice of the death of a family member. [Formerly 659.476; 2013 c.384 §1; 2021 c.182 §3]

 

      659A.162 Length of leave; conditions; rules. (1) Except as specifically provided by ORS 657B.020 and 659A.150 to 659A.186, an eligible employee is entitled to up to a total of 12 weeks of family leave within any one-year period.

      (2)(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection, an eligible employee is entitled to a total of two weeks of family leave for the purposes described in ORS 659A.159 (1)(e).

      (b) An eligible employee is entitled to the period of leave described in paragraph (a) of this subsection upon the death of each family member of the employee within any one-year period, except that leave taken as provided by this subsection may not exceed the total period of family leave authorized by subsection (1) of this section.

      (c) A covered employer may not require an eligible employee to take multiple periods of leave described in ORS 659A.159 (1)(e) concurrently if more than one family member of the employee dies during the one-year period.

      (d) All leave taken for the purposes described in ORS 659A.159 (1)(e) shall be counted toward the total period of family leave authorized by subsection (1) of this section.

      (3)(a) In addition to the 12 weeks of family leave authorized by subsection (1) of this section, an eligible employee may take a total of 12 weeks of leave within any one-year period for an illness, injury or condition related to the eligible employee’s own pregnancy or childbirth that disables the eligible employee from performing any available job duties offered by the covered employer.

      (b) An eligible employee who takes 12 weeks of family leave within a one-year period for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(a) may take up to an additional 12 weeks of leave within the one-year period for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(d).

      (4) When two or more family members work for the same covered employer, the eligible employees may not take concurrent family leave unless:

      (a) One employee needs to care for another employee who is a family member and who is suffering from a serious health condition;

      (b) One employee needs to care for a child who has a serious health condition while another employee who is a family member is also suffering from a serious health condition; or

      (c) The employees are taking leave described in ORS 659A.159 (1)(e).

      (5) An eligible employee may take family leave for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(a) in two or more nonconsecutive periods of leave only with the approval of the employer.

      (6) Leave need not be provided to an eligible employee by a covered employer for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(d) if another family member is available to care for the child.

      (7) A covered employer may not reduce the amount of family leave available to an eligible employee under this section by any period the employee is unable to work because of a disabling compensable injury.

      (8)(a) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall adopt rules governing when family leave for a serious health condition of an eligible employee or a family member of the eligible employee may be taken intermittently or by working a reduced workweek. Rules adopted by the commissioner under this paragraph shall allow taking of family leave on an intermittent basis or by use of a reduced workweek to the extent permitted by federal law and to the extent that taking family leave on an intermittent basis or by use of a reduced workweek does not result in the loss of an eligible employee’s exempt status under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

      (b) The commissioner shall adopt rules governing when family leave for the purposes described in ORS 659A.159 (1)(e) may be taken to the extent permitted by federal law and to the extent that taking family leave on an intermittent basis does not result in the loss of an eligible employee’s exempt status under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. [Formerly 659.478; 2007 c.633 §2; 2013 c.384 §3; 2019 c.700 §56; 2021 c.182 §§4,5]

 

      659A.164 Meaning of “one-year period” for purposes of determining amount of leave available to eligible employee; rules. (1) For purposes of determining the amount of family leave that an eligible employee is entitled to take within a given one-year period, “one-year period” means a period of 52 consecutive weeks beginning on the Sunday immediately preceding the date on which family leave commences.

      (2) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer this section. [2023 c.203 §2; 2023 c.203 §3]

 

      Note: The amendments to 659A.164 by section 3, chapter 203, Oregon Laws 2023, become operative July 1, 2024. See section 15, chapter 203, Oregon Laws 2023. The text that is operative until July 1, 2024, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

      659A.164. (1) For purposes of determining the amount of family leave that an eligible employee is entitled to take within a given one-year period, “one-year period” means:

      (a) A period of 52 consecutive weeks beginning on the Sunday immediately preceding the date on which family leave commences; or

      (b) A consecutive 12-month period, such as a calendar year commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31 following, a fiscal year, the 12-month period that ends on the date that the employee uses any family leave or the 12-month period that begins on the date on which an employee commences a period of family leave.

      (2) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer this section.

 

      659A.165 Notice to employer. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a covered employer may require an eligible employee to give the employer written notice at least 30 days before commencing family leave. The employer may require the employee to include an explanation of the need for the leave in the notice.

      (2) An eligible employee may commence taking family leave without prior notice under the following circumstances:

      (a) An unexpected serious health condition of an employee or family member of an employee;

      (b) An unexpected illness, injury or condition of a child of the employee that requires home care;

      (c) A premature birth, unexpected adoption or unexpected foster placement; or

      (d) The death of a family member.

      (3) If an employee commences leave without prior notice under subsection (2) of this section, the employee must give oral notice to the employer within 24 hours of the commencement of the leave, and must provide the written notice required by subsection (1) of this section within three days after the employee returns to work. The oral notice required by this subsection may be given by any other person on behalf of the employee taking the leave.

      (4) Except as provided in this subsection, if the employee fails to give notice as required by subsections (1) and (3) of this section, the employer may reduce the total period of family leave authorized by ORS 659A.162 by three weeks, and the employee may be subject to disciplinary action under a uniformly applied policy or practice of the employer. A reduction of family leave under this subsection may not limit leave described in ORS 659A.159 (1)(e). [Formerly 659.480; 2013 c.384 §4]

 

      659A.168 Medical verification and scheduling of treatment; exceptions. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a covered employer may require medical verification from a health care provider of the need for the leave if the leave is for a purpose described in ORS 659A.159 (1)(b) to (d) other than to care for a child who requires home care due to the closure of the child’s school or child care provider as a result of a public health emergency. If an employee is required to give notice under ORS 659A.165 (1), the employer may require that medical verification be provided by the employee before the leave period commences. If the employee commences family leave without prior notice pursuant to ORS 659A.165 (2), the medical verification must be provided by the employee within 15 days after the employer requests the medical verification. The employer may require an employee to obtain the opinion of a second health care provider designated by the employer, at the employer’s expense. If the opinion of the second health care provider conflicts with the medical verification provided by the employee, the employer may require the two health care providers to designate a third health care provider to provide an opinion at the employer’s expense. The opinion of the third health care provider shall be final and binding on the employer and employee. In addition to the medical verifications provided for in this subsection, an employer may require subsequent medical verification on a reasonable basis.

      (2) A covered employer may require medical verification for leave taken for the purpose described in ORS 659A.159 (1)(d), other than to care for a child who requires home care due to the closure of the child’s school or child care provider as a result of a public health emergency, only after an employee has taken more than three days of leave under ORS 659A.159 (1)(d) during any one-year period. Any medical verification required under this subsection must be paid for by the covered employer. An employer may not require an employee to obtain the opinion of a second health care provider for the purpose of medical verification required under this subsection.

      (3) A covered employer may request verification for the need for leave for the purpose in ORS 659A.159 (1)(d) to care for a child who requires home care due to the closure of the child’s school or child care provider as a result of a public health emergency. A request for verification may include a request for:

      (a) The name of the child requiring home care;

      (b) The name of the school or child care provider that is subject to closure;

      (c) A statement from the employee that no other family member of the child is willing and able to care for the child; and

      (d) A statement that special circumstances exist that require the employee to provide home care for the child during the day, if the child is older than 14 years of age.

      (4) Subject to the approval of the health care provider, the employee taking family leave for a serious health condition of the employee or a family member of the employee shall make a reasonable effort to schedule medical treatment or supervision at times that will minimize disruption of the employer’s operations. [Formerly 659.482; 2021 c.182 §6]

 

      659A.171 Job protection; benefits. (1) After returning to work after taking family leave under the provisions of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186, an eligible employee is entitled to be restored to the position of employment held by the employee when the leave commenced if that position still exists, without regard to whether the employer filled the position with a replacement worker during the period of family leave. If the position held by the employee at the time family leave commenced no longer exists, the employee is entitled to be restored to any available equivalent position with equivalent employment benefits, pay and other terms and conditions of employment. If an equivalent position is not available at the job site of the employee’s former position, the employer shall offer the employee an equivalent position at a job site located within 50 miles of the job site of the employee’s former position, if such a position is available. If equivalent positions are available at multiple job sites, the employer shall first offer the employee the position at the job site that is nearest to the job site of the employee’s former position.

      (2) Except for employee benefits used during the period of leave, the taking of family leave under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 shall not result in the loss of any employment benefit accrued before the date on which the leave commenced.

      (3) This section does not entitle any employee to:

      (a) Any accrual of seniority or employment benefits during a period of family leave; or

      (b) Any right, benefit or position of employment other than the rights, benefits and position that the employee would have been entitled to had the employee not taken the family leave.

      (4)(a) Before restoring an employee to a position under subsection (1) of this section, an employer may require that the employee receive certification from the employee’s health care provider that the employee is able to resume work. Certification under this subsection may only be required pursuant to a uniformly applied practice or policy of the employer.

      (b) This subsection does not affect the ability of an employer to require an employee during a period of family leave to report periodically to the employer on the employee’s status and on the employee’s intention to return to work.

      (5)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, benefits are not required to continue to accrue during a period of family leave unless continuation or accrual is required under an agreement of the employer and the employee, a collective bargaining agreement or an employer policy.

      (b) If the employee is provided group health insurance, the employee is entitled to the continuation of group health insurance coverage during the period of family leave on the same terms as if the employee had continued to work. If family member coverage is provided to the employee, family member coverage must be maintained during the period of family leave. The employee must continue to make any regular contributions to the cost of the health insurance premiums.

      (c) Notwithstanding ORS 652.610 (3) and except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, if the employer is required or elects to pay any part of the costs of providing disability, life or other insurance coverage for an employee during the period of family leave that should have been paid by the employee, the employer may deduct from the employee’s pay such amounts upon the employee’s return to work until the amount the employer advanced toward the payments is paid. In no event may the total amount deducted for insurance under the provisions of this subsection exceed 10 percent of the employee’s gross pay each pay period.

      (6) Notwithstanding ORS 652.610 (3), if the employer pays any part of the costs of health, disability, life or other insurance coverage for an employee under the provisions of subsection (5) of this section, and the employee does not return to employment with the employer after taking family leave, the employer may deduct amounts paid by the employer from any amounts owed by the employer to the employee, or may seek to recover those amounts by any other legal means, unless the employee fails to return to work because of:

      (a) A continuation, reoccurrence or onset of a serious health condition that would entitle the employee to leave for one of the purposes specified by ORS 659A.159 (1)(b) or (c); or

      (b) Other circumstances beyond the control of the employee. [Formerly 659.484; 2015 c.323 §1; 2023 c.203 §7]

 

      659A.174 Use of paid leave. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, and unless otherwise provided by the terms of an agreement between the eligible employee and the covered employer, a collective bargaining agreement or an employer policy, family leave is not required to be granted with pay.

      (2) An employee taking family leave is entitled to use any paid accrued sick leave or any paid accrued vacation leave during the period of family leave, or to use any other paid leave that is offered by the employer in lieu of vacation leave during the period of family leave.

      (3) Subject to the terms of any agreement between the eligible employee and the covered employer or the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, the employer may determine the particular order in which accrued leave is to be used in circumstances in which more than one type of accrued leave is available to the employee. [Formerly 659.486; 2007 c.635 §1]

 

      659A.177 Special rules for teachers. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186, if a teacher requests leave for one of the purposes specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(b) or (c), the need for the leave is foreseeable, and the employee will be on leave for more than 20 percent of the total number of working days in the period during which the leave would extend, the employer of the teacher may require that the employee elect one of the two following options:

      (a) The employee may elect to take leave for a period or periods of a particular duration, not to exceed the duration of the anticipated medical treatment; or

      (b) The employee may elect to transfer temporarily to an available alternative position that better accommodates recurring periods of leave than the regular position of the employee. The teacher must be qualified for the alternative position, and the position must have pay and benefits that are equivalent to the pay and benefits of the employee’s regular position.

      (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186, if a teacher commences a period of family leave for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(c) more than five weeks before the end of an academic term, the employer of the teacher may require that the employee continue on family leave until the end of the term if:

      (a) The leave is of at least three weeks’ duration; and

      (b) The employee’s return to employment would occur during the three-week period before the end of the term.

      (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186, if a teacher commences a period of family leave for one of the purposes specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(a) or (b) during the five weeks before the end of an academic term, the employer of the teacher may require that the employee continue on family leave until the end of the term if:

      (a) The leave is of at least two weeks’ duration; and

      (b) The employee’s return to employment would occur during the two-week period before the end of the term.

      (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186, if a teacher commences a period of family leave for one of the purposes specified in ORS 659A.159 (1)(a), (b) or (e) during the three-week period before the end of the term, and the duration of the leave is greater than five working days, the employer of the teacher may require that the employee continue on family leave until the end of the term.

      (5) The provisions of this section apply only to an employee who is employed principally in an instructional capacity by a public kindergarten, elementary school, secondary school or education service district. [Formerly 659.488; 2013 c.384 §5]

 

      659A.180 Postings by employer. A covered employer shall post a notice of the requirements of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 in every establishment of the employer in which employees are employed. The Bureau of Labor and Industries shall provide notices to covered employers meeting the requirements of this section. [Formerly 659.490]

 

      659A.183 Denying family leave to eligible employee prohibited; retaliation prohibited. It is an unlawful practice for a covered employer to:

      (1) Deny family leave to which an eligible employee is entitled under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186; or

      (2) Retaliate or in any way discriminate against an individual with respect to hire or tenure or any other term or condition of employment because the individual has inquired about the provisions of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186, submitted a request for family leave or invoked any provision of ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186. [Formerly 659.492; 2007 c.777 §2]

 

      659A.186 Exclusivity of provisions; construction; concurrent leave. (1) ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 do not limit any right of an employee to any leave that is similar to the leave described in ORS 659A.159 (1) and to which the employee may be entitled under any agreement between the employer and the employee, collective bargaining agreement or employer policy.

      (2) ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 shall be construed to the extent possible in a manner that is consistent with any similar provisions of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. If family leave taken under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 qualifies as protected leave pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-3) or qualifies as family leave or medical leave taken pursuant to ORS chapter 657B, family leave taken under ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186 must be taken concurrently with, and not in addition to, any leave taken under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-3) and under ORS chapter 657B. [Formerly 659.494; 2013 c.384 §6; 2023 c.203 §8]

 

LEAVE TO ATTEND CRIMINAL PROCEEDING

 

      659A.190 Definitions for ORS 659A.190 to 659A.198. As used in ORS 659A.190 to 659A.198:

      (1) “Covered employer” means an employer who employs six or more persons in the State of Oregon for each working day during each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in the year in which an eligible employee takes leave to attend a criminal proceeding or in the year immediately preceding the year in which an eligible employee takes leave to attend a criminal proceeding.

      (2) “Crime victim” means a person who has suffered financial, social, psychological or physical harm as a result of a person felony, as defined in the rules of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, and includes a member of the immediate family of the person.

      (3) “Criminal proceeding” has the meaning given that term in ORS 131.005 and includes a juvenile proceeding under ORS chapter 419C or any other proceeding at which a crime victim has a right to be present.

      (4) “Eligible employee” means an employee who:

      (a) Worked an average of more than 25 hours per week for a covered employer for at least 180 days immediately before the date the employee takes leave to attend a criminal proceeding; and

      (b) Is a crime victim.

      (5) “Immediate family” means spouse, domestic partner, father, mother, sibling, child, stepchild and grandparent. [2003 c.603 §2]

 

      659A.192 Leave to attend criminal proceeding; undue hardship on employer; scheduling criminal proceeding. (1) As used in this section, “undue hardship” means a significant difficulty and expense to a business and includes consideration of the size of the covered employer’s business and the covered employer’s critical need for the employee.

      (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a covered employer shall allow an eligible employee to take leave from employment to attend a criminal proceeding.

      (3) A covered employer may limit the amount of leave an eligible employee takes to attend a criminal proceeding if the employee’s leave creates an undue hardship to the covered employer’s business.

      (4) An eligible employee may notify the prosecuting attorney if taking leave to attend a criminal proceeding would cause undue hardship to the covered employer. The prosecuting attorney shall then notify the court or hearing body. The court or hearing body must take the schedule of the employee into consideration when scheduling a criminal proceeding. [2003 c.603 §3]

 

      659A.194 Denying leave to employee prohibited. A covered employer who denies leave to an eligible employee or who discharges, threatens to discharge, intimidates or coerces because the employee takes leave to attend a criminal proceeding commits an unlawful employment practice. [2003 c.603 §4; 2011 c.210 §3]

 

      659A.196 Notice to employer; records confidential. (1) An eligible employee shall give the covered employer:

      (a) Reasonable notice of the employee’s intention to take leave to attend a criminal proceeding; and

      (b) Copies of any notices of scheduled criminal proceedings that the employee receives from a law enforcement agency under ORS 147.417.

      (2) All records kept by a covered employer regarding an eligible employee’s leave under ORS 659A.192 or notices received under subsection (1) of this section are subject to the laws relating to confidentiality. [2003 c.603 §5]

 

      659A.198 Use of paid leave. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, and unless otherwise provided by the terms of an agreement between the eligible employee and the covered employer, a collective bargaining agreement or an employer policy, a covered employer is not required to grant leave with pay under ORS 659A.192 to an eligible employee to attend a criminal proceeding.

      (2) An eligible employee who takes leave to attend a criminal proceeding may use any paid accrued vacation leave during the period of leave or may use any other paid leave that is offered by the covered employer in lieu of vacation leave during the period of leave.

      (3) Subject to the terms of any agreement between the eligible employee and the covered employer or the terms of a collective bargaining agreement or an employer policy, the covered employer may determine the order in which accrued leave is to be used when more than one type of accrued leave is available to the employee. [2003 c.603 §6]

 

WHISTLEBLOWING

 

(Disclosures by Employee of Violation of State or Federal Law)

 

      659A.199 Prohibited conduct by employer. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discharge, demote, suspend or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee with regard to promotion, compensation or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment for the reason that the employee has in good faith reported information that the employee believes is evidence of a violation of a state or federal law, rule or regulation.

      (2) The remedies provided by this chapter are in addition to any common law remedy or other remedy that may be available to an employee for the conduct constituting a violation of this section. [2009 c.524 §2]

 

(Disclosures by Public and Nonprofit Employees)

 

      659A.200 Definitions for ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224. As used in ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224:

      (1) “Disciplinary action” includes but is not limited to any discrimination, dismissal, demotion, transfer, reassignment, supervisory reprimand, warning of possible dismissal or withholding of work, whether or not the action affects or will affect employee compensation.

      (2) “Employee” means a person:

      (a) Employed by or under contract with the state or any agency of or political subdivision in the state;

      (b) Employed by or under contract with any person authorized to act on behalf of the state, or agency of the state or subdivision in the state, with respect to control, management or supervision of any employee;

      (c) Employed by the public corporation created under ORS 656.751;

      (d) Employed by a contractor who performs services for the state, agency or subdivision, other than employees of a contractor under contract to construct a public improvement;

      (e) Employed by or under contract with any person authorized by contract to act on behalf of the state, agency or subdivision;

      (f) Employed by a nonprofit organization; or

      (g) Serving as a member of a board of directors of a nonprofit organization who is not otherwise considered an employee.

      (3) “Information” includes public and private records, documents and electronically stored data.

      (4) “Knowledge” means actual knowledge.

      (5) “Nonprofit organization” or “nonprofit” means an organization or group of organizations that:

      (a) Receives public funds by way of grant or contract; and

      (b) Is exempt from income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

      (6) “Public employer” means:

      (a) The state or any agency of or political subdivision in the state;

      (b) Any person authorized to act on behalf of the state, or any agency of or political subdivision in the state, with respect to control, management or supervision of any employee; or

      (c) An employer who employs an employee described in subsection (2)(a) to (e) of this section.

      (7) “School” means a common school district, a union high school district, an education service district, a public charter school, a private school providing instruction to any grade from kindergarten through grade 12 or a community college district.

      (8) “School services” means any of the following services:

      (a) Custodial or janitorial services;

      (b) Nutrition services;

      (c) Transportation services; or

      (d) Any other education services that are customarily performed by school employees.

      (9) “School services employee” means a person employed by a school services employer to provide school services to a school.

      (10) “School services employer” means a private employer that enters into a contract with a school to provide school services to the school. [Formerly 659.505; 2014 c.78 §2; 2015 c.3 §49; 2016 c.73 §3; 2020 s.s.3 c.4 §4]

 

      659A.203 Prohibited conduct by public or nonprofit employer; prohibited conduct by school services employer during public health emergency; remedies. (1) Subject to ORS 659A.206, except as provided in ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224, it is an unlawful employment practice for any public or nonprofit employer to:

      (a) Prohibit any employee from discussing, either specifically or generally with any member of the Legislative Assembly, legislative committee staff acting under the direction of a member of the Legislative Assembly, any member of the elected governing body of a political subdivision in the state or any elected auditor of a city, county or metropolitan service district, the activities of:

      (A) The state or any agency of or political subdivision in the state; or

      (B) Any person authorized to act on behalf of the state or any agency of or political subdivision in the state.

      (b) Prohibit any employee from disclosing, or take or threaten to take disciplinary action against an employee for the disclosure of any information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of:

      (A) A violation of any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation by the public or nonprofit employer;

      (B) Mismanagement, gross waste of funds or abuse of authority or substantial and specific danger to public health and safety resulting from action of the public or nonprofit employer; or

      (C) Subject to ORS 659A.212 (2), the fact that a person receiving services, benefits or assistance from the state or agency or subdivision, is subject to a felony or misdemeanor warrant for arrest issued by this state, any other state, the federal government, or any territory, commonwealth or governmental instrumentality of the United States.

      (c) Require any employee to give notice prior to making any disclosure or engaging in discussion described in this section, except as allowed in ORS 659A.206 (1).

      (d) Discourage, restrain, dissuade, coerce, prevent or otherwise interfere with disclosure or discussions described in this section.

      (2) A public or nonprofit employer may not invoke or impose any disciplinary action against an employee for employee activity described in subsection (1) of this section or ORS 659A.212.

      (3) It is an unlawful employment practice for any school services employer to invoke or impose any disciplinary action against a school services employee for reporting or filing a complaint alleging a violation of any law, regulation or standard pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

      (4) The remedies provided by this section are in addition to any remedy provided to an employee under ORS 659A.199 or other remedy that may be available to an employee for the conduct alleged as a violation of this section.

      (5) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor. [Formerly 659.510; 2010 c.24 §1; 2016 c.73 §4; 2020 s.s.3 c.4 §5]

 

      659A.206 Effects of ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224 on employees. ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224 are not intended to:

      (1) Prohibit a supervisor or appointing authority from requiring that an employee inform the supervisor or appointing authority as to official requests for information to the agency or subdivision or the substance of testimony made, or to be made, by the employee to legislators or members of the elected governing body of a political subdivision on behalf of the agency or subdivision;

      (2) Permit an employee to leave the employee’s assigned work areas during normal work hours without following applicable rules and policies pertaining to leaves, unless the employee is requested by:

      (a) A member of the Legislative Assembly or a legislative committee to appear before a legislative committee;

      (b) A member of the elected governing body of a political subdivision to appear before the governing body of the political subdivision; or

      (c) An elected auditor of a city, county or metropolitan service district to participate in an investigation or audit;

      (3) Authorize an employee to represent the employee’s personal opinions as the opinions of the agency or subdivision;

      (4) Except as specified in ORS 659A.212 (2), authorize an employee to disclose information required to be kept confidential under state or federal law, rule or regulation;

      (5) Restrict or preclude disciplinary action against an employee if the information disclosed by the employee is known by the employee to be false, if the employee discloses the information with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity, or if the information disclosed relates to the employee’s own violations, mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority or endangerment of the public health or safety; or

      (6) Restrict or impair any judicial right of action an employee or an employer has under existing law. [Formerly 659.515; 2010 c.24 §2]

 

      659A.209 Effect on public record disclosures. ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224 are not intended to:

      (1) Allow disclosure of records exempt from disclosure except as provided in ORS 192.338, 192.345 and 192.355.

      (2) Prevent public employers from prohibiting employee disclosure of information of an advisory nature to the extent that it covers other than purely factual materials and is preliminary to any final agency determination of policy or action. [Formerly 659.520]

 

      659A.210 Affirmative defense. (1) An employee’s good faith and objectively reasonable belief of a violation of federal, state or local law, rule or regulation by the employer shall be an affirmative defense to a civil or criminal charge related to the disclosure by the employee of lawfully accessed information related to the violation, including information that is exempt from disclosure as provided in ORS 192.338, 192.345 and 192.355 or by employer policy, if the information is provided to:

      (a) A state or federal regulatory agency;

      (b) A law enforcement agency;

      (c) A manager employed by the public or nonprofit employer of the employee; or

      (d) An attorney licensed to practice law in this state if a confidential communication is made in connection with the alleged violation described in this section and in furtherance of the rendition of professional legal services to the employee that are subject to ORS 40.225.

      (2) An employee may not assert the affirmative defense described under subsection (1) of this section if the information described in subsection (1) of this section:

      (a) Is disclosed or redisclosed by the employee or at the employee’s direction to a party other than the parties listed in subsection (1) of this section;

      (b) Is stated in a commercial exclusive negotiating agreement with a public or nonprofit employer, provided that the agreement is not related to the employee’s employment with the employer; or

      (c) Is stated in a commercial nondisclosure agreement with a public or nonprofit employer, provided that the agreement is not related to the employee’s employment with the employer.

      (3) The affirmative defense described in subsection (1) of this section is available to an employee who discloses information related to an alleged violation by a coworker or supervisor described in subsection (1) of this section if the disclosure relates to the course and scope of employment of the coworker or supervisor.

      (4) The affirmative defense described in subsection (1) of this section may not be asserted by an employee who is an attorney or by an employee who is not an attorney but who is employed, retained, supervised or directed by an attorney if the information disclosed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section is related to the representation of a client.

      (5) This section and ORS 659A.203, including disclosures under subsection (1) of this section, are subject to the rules of professional conduct established pursuant to ORS 9.490.

      (6) Public and nonprofit employers shall establish and implement a policy regarding employees who invoke their rights under this section or ORS 659A.203. The policy shall delineate all rights and remedies provided to employees under this section and ORS 659A.203. The employer shall deliver a written or electronic copy of the policy to each employee.

      (7) Subject to the rules of professional conduct established pursuant to ORS 9.490, a public employee who is an attorney may report to the Attorney General the employee’s knowledge of a violation of federal, state or local law, rule or regulation by the public employer.

      (8) Disclosure of information pursuant to subsection (1) of this section does not waive attorney-client privilege or affect the applicability of any exemption from disclosure of a public record under ORS 192.338, 192.345 and 192.355.

      (9) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, information protected from disclosure under federal law, including but not limited to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-191), may be disclosed only in accordance with federal law. [2016 c.73 §2]

 

      659A.212 Policy on cooperation with law enforcement officials; duty to report person subject to warrant for arrest. (1) In order to protect the safety of the citizens of this state, it is the policy of this state that all public employers and their employees cooperate with law enforcement officials in the apprehension of persons subject to a felony or misdemeanor warrant for arrest.

      (2) Notwithstanding any other law, when an employee reasonably believes that a person receiving services, benefits or assistance from the state or any agency or political subdivision in the state is subject to a felony or misdemeanor warrant for arrest issued by this state, any other state, the federal government, or any territory, commonwealth or governmental instrumentality of the United States, the employee shall promptly and without delay report to the employee’s immediate supervisor or a person designated by the agency by rule to receive such report.

      (3) The supervisor or person designated by the agency shall notify the Oregon State Police promptly and without delay of the information supplied by the employee.

      (4) The notification required by subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall include disclosure of the name and address of the person, available information concerning the felony or misdemeanor warrant for arrest and other available identifying information.

      (5) Information disclosed under this section shall only be used by law enforcement officials to verify the existence of a felony or misdemeanor warrant for arrest of the person and to apprehend the person if a felony or misdemeanor warrant for arrest exists. [Formerly 659.525]

 

      659A.215 Remedies not exclusive. The remedies provided for violations of ORS 659A.203 and 659A.218 under this chapter are in addition to any appeal proceeding available under ORS 240.560 for a state employee or under any comparable provisions for employees of political subdivisions. [Formerly 659.530]

 

      659A.218 Disclosure of employee’s name without consent prohibited. (1) The identity of the employee who discloses any of the following shall not be disclosed by a public employer without the written consent of the employee during any investigation of the information provided by the employee, relating to:

      (a) Matters described in ORS 659A.203 (1)(b).

      (b) Reports required by ORS 659A.212 (2).

      (2) Violation of this section is an unlawful employment practice. [Formerly 659.535]

 

      659A.219 Uniform standards and procedures manual for implementation of Whistleblower Law; requirements. (1) The Bureau of Labor and Industries shall adopt a uniform standards and procedures manual that provides guidelines for implementing ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224.

      (2) The bureau shall make the manual available to the public on the bureau’s website.

      (3) The manual must include, but need not be limited to, the following information:

      (a) Proper procedures for disclosing information under ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224;

      (b) The rights and remedies provided to an employee who discloses information under ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224; and

      (c) The implementation of statutes and rules relating to protected activity under ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224 as interpreted by the case law of this state.

      (4) The bureau shall review the manual on a periodic basis and make updates as necessary to reflect recent changes in rule or law, including case law, regarding disclosures of information under ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224. [2018 c.83 §3]

 

      659A.220 Bureau of Labor and Industries to collect and compile information relating to disclosures; report to legislature. (1) The Bureau of Labor and Industries, in consultation and cooperation with the agencies described in subsection (2) of this section, shall collect and compile information and data relating to disclosures of information made under ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224. The information and data shall include:

      (a) The total number of disclosures made by an employee to a public employer pursuant to ORS 659A.221 of matters described in ORS 659A.203 (1)(b); and

      (b) The total number of all reports of violations of ORS 659A.203 or 659A.218.

      (2) Subsection (1) of this section applies to the following agencies:

      (a) The Oregon Health Authority;

      (b) The Department of Transportation;

      (c) The Department of Human Services; and

      (d) The Department of Environmental Quality.

      (3) No later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the bureau shall submit to the Governor, and, in the manner provided in ORS 192.245, to an appropriate committee or interim committee of the Legislative Assembly, a written report that includes the information and data described in subsection (1) of this section. [2018 c.83 §4]

 

      659A.221 Uniform application to all public employers; optional procedure for disclosures; rules. (1) The Bureau of Labor and Industries by rule shall ensure that the requirements of ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224 are applied uniformly to all public employers. Each public employer may adopt rules, consistent with Bureau of Labor and Industries rules, that apply to that public employer and that also implement ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224.

      (2) A public employer may establish by rule an optional procedure whereby an employee who wishes to disclose information described in ORS 659A.203 (1)(b) may disclose information first to the supervisor, or if the supervisor is involved, to the supervisor next higher, but the employer must protect the employee against retaliatory or disciplinary action by any supervisor for such disclosure. [Formerly 659.540]

 

      659A.224 Short title. ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224 shall be known as the Whistleblower Law. [Formerly 659.545]

 

(Reports of Violations of Election Laws)

 

      659A.228 Discrimination for reporting violation of election laws prohibited. (1) In addition to the conduct prohibited in ORS 659A.199, it is an unlawful employment practice for a person to discriminate or retaliate against another person with respect to hire or tenure, compensation or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment for the reason that the person has in good faith reported information that the person believes is evidence of a violation of a state or federal election law, rule or regulation.

      (2) This section applies only to a person who pays money or offers other valuable consideration for obtaining signatures of electors on a state initiative, referendum or recall petition or on a prospective petition for a state measure to be initiated. [2013 c.519 §7]

 

(Initiating or Aiding Administrative, Criminal or Civil Proceeding)

 

      659A.230 Discrimination for initiating or aiding in criminal or civil proceedings prohibited; remedies not exclusive. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discharge, demote, suspend or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee with regard to promotion, compensation or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment for the reason that the employee has in good faith reported criminal activity by any person, has in good faith caused a complainant’s information or complaint to be filed against any person, has in good faith cooperated with any law enforcement agency conducting a criminal investigation, has in good faith brought a civil proceeding against an employer or has testified in good faith at a civil proceeding or criminal trial.

      (2) For the purposes of this section, “complainant’s information” and “complaint” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 131.005.

      (3) The remedies provided by this chapter are in addition to any common law remedy or other remedy that may be available to an employee for the conduct constituting a violation of this section. [Formerly 659.550]

 

      659A.233 Discrimination for reporting certain violations or testifying at unemployment compensation hearing prohibited. It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discharge, demote, suspend or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee with regard to promotion, compensation or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment for the reason that the employee has in good faith reported possible violations of ORS chapter 441 or of ORS 443.400 to 443.455 or has testified in good faith at an unemployment compensation hearing or other hearing conducted pursuant to ORS chapter 657. [Formerly 659.035]

 

(Legislative Testimony)

 

      659A.236 Discrimination for testifying before Legislative Assembly, committee or task force prohibited. It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discharge, demote, suspend or in any manner discriminate against an employee with regard to promotion, compensation or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment solely for the reason that the employee has testified before the Legislative Assembly or any of its interim or statutory committees, including advisory committees and subcommittees thereof, or task forces. [Formerly 659.270]

 

UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION RELATING TO EMPLOYEE HOUSING

 

      659A.250 Definitions for ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262. (1) For purposes of ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262, “access” means ingress to and egress from residential areas which are concentrated in a central location. It shall not include:

      (a) The right to enter the individual residences of employees unless a resident of the household consents to the entry;

      (b) The right to use any services provided by the employer for the exclusive use of the employees;

      (c) The right to enter single residences shared by employees and employers where a separate entrance to the employee’s quarter is not provided; or

      (d) The right to enter work areas.

      (2) “Authorized person” means government officials, physicians, certified education providers, local health officials, representatives of religious organizations and any other providers of services for farmworkers funded in whole or part by state, federal or local government.

      (3) “Housing” means living quarters owned, rented or in any manner controlled by an employer and occupied by the employee.

      (4) “Invited person” means persons invited to a dwelling unit by an employee or a member of the employee’s family residing with the employee. [Formerly 659.280; 2015 c.736 §108; 2017 c.409 §20]

 

      659A.253 Restriction of access to employee housing owned or controlled by employer prohibited; telephone accessibility. (1) Employers shall not restrict access by authorized persons or invited persons to any housing owned, rented or in any manner controlled by the employer where employees are residing. Authorized persons or invited persons must announce their presence on the premises upon request. Authorized persons shall, upon request, provide credentials identifying the person as representing a qualifying agency or organization.

      (2)(a) A person need not disclose to the employer the name of the employee who issued the invitation prior to gaining access to the housing, but an invited person must do so in order to assert a right to access as an invited person in any judicial proceeding concerning the right to access provided in this section. If an invited person does not disclose the name of the inviter to the employer, the employer may deny access until the invited person obtains an order pursuant to ORS 659A.262.

      (b) Invited persons shall not be allowed to enter work areas or to interfere with any employee’s work or performance of duties on behalf of the employer.

      (3)(a) The employer shall ensure to the employees residing in housing owned or controlled by an employer and occupied by employees the availability of:

      (A) A reasonably accessible operating telephone, whether pay or private, available 24 hours a day for emergency use; and

      (B) An operating telephone, whether pay or private, located within two miles of the housing, accessible and available so as to provide reasonable opportunity for private use by employees.

      (b) An employer may request a waiver from the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection if the employer demonstrates to the bureau that:

      (A) Compliance would constitute an unreasonable hardship for the employer; and

      (B) The camp meets any requirements established by the Department of Consumer and Business Services for an emergency medical plan.

      (4) A complaint may not be filed under ORS 659A.820 for violations of this section. [Formerly 659.285]

 

      659A.256 Regulations by employers concerning use and occupancy of employee housing; requirements; notice. Employers may adopt reasonable rules and regulations concerning the use and occupancy of such housing including hours of access which must be posted in a conspicuous place at least three days prior to enforcement. Such rules shall be enforceable as to employees, invited persons and those authorized persons who are not governmental officials or who are not visiting the camp for emergency purposes only if:

      (1) Their purpose is to promote the safety or welfare of the employees and authorized persons allowed access;

      (2) They preserve the employer’s property from abusive use;

      (3) They are reasonably related to the purpose for which they are adopted;

      (4) They apply to all employees on the premises in a fair manner; and

      (5) They are sufficiently explicit in the prohibition, direction or limitation of the employee’s conduct to fairly inform the employees of what must be done to comply. [Formerly 659.290]

 

      659A.259 Eviction from employee housing or discrimination against employee for reporting violations of ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262 prohibited; enforcement. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to expel or evict from housing referred to in ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262 or to discharge, demote, suspend from employment or in any other manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee or any member of the employee’s household for the reason that the employee or any member of the employee’s household has:

      (a) Reported or complained concerning possible violations of ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262; or

      (b) Conferred with or invited to residential areas, any authorized person or invited person.

      (2) An employee or any member of the employee’s household may file a complaint under ORS 659A.820 for violations of this section and may bring a civil action under ORS 659A.885 and recover the relief as provided by ORS 659A.885 (1) and (3). [Formerly 659.295]

 

      659A.262 Warrant on behalf of person entitled to access to housing; vacation of warrant; rules. (1) In the event that any person claiming to be an authorized or invited person is denied access to housing, the person may apply to any magistrate having jurisdiction to issue warrants, for an order authorizing the person to gain access to the housing.

      (2) The application pursuant to this section shall be sworn and shall include allegations of the facts and circumstances under which the person alleges that the person is entitled to access under ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262.

      (3) If, on ex parte review of the application, it appears from the sworn allegations of the application that the person is entitled to access to the housing, the magistrate shall promptly issue an order restraining the owner of the housing from interfering with the access of the applicant to the housing.

      (4) No fee, bond or undertaking shall be required in connection with proceedings under this section.

      (5) On sufficient cause, the magistrate may enter further orders for the protection of residents of the housing, including the temporary sealing of the application, or portions thereof.

      (6) Any person subject to an order referred to in subsections (1) to (5) of this section may request that the order be vacated or modified by filing a written motion with the court which issued the order.

      (7) Upon receipt of a motion to modify or vacate the order, the court shall schedule a hearing.

      (8) If after the hearing, the court determines that the applicant is not entitled to access, the court shall vacate or modify the order.

      (9) The Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt rules to carry out the provisions of ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262. [Formerly 659.297]

 

PROTECTIONS BECAUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HARASSMENT, SEXUAL ASSAULT, BIAS OR STALKING

 

(Leave)

 

      659A.270 Definitions for ORS 659A.270 to 659A.285. As used in ORS 659A.270 to 659A.285:

      (1) “Covered employer” means an employer who employs six or more individuals in the State of Oregon for each working day during each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in the year in which an eligible employee takes leave to address domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking, or in the year immediately preceding the year in which an eligible employee takes leave to address domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (2) “Eligible employee” means an employee who is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking or is the parent or guardian of a minor child or dependent who is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (3) “Protective order” means an order authorized by ORS 30.866, 107.095 (1)(c), 107.700 to 107.735, 124.005 to 124.040, 163.730 to 163.750 or 163.760 to 163.777 or any other order that restrains an individual from contact with an eligible employee or the employee’s minor child or dependent.

      (4) “Victim of bias” means:

      (a) An individual who has been a victim of a bias crime as defined in ORS 147.380; or

      (b) Any other individual designated as a victim of bias by rule adopted under ORS 659A.805.

      (5) “Victim of domestic violence” means:

      (a) An individual who has been a victim of abuse, as defined in ORS 107.705; or

      (b) Any other individual designated as a victim of domestic violence by rule adopted under ORS 659A.805.

      (6) “Victim of harassment” means:

      (a) An individual against whom harassment has been committed as described in ORS 166.065.

      (b) Any other individual designated as a victim of harassment by rule adopted under ORS 659A.805.

      (7) “Victim of sexual assault” means:

      (a) An individual against whom a sexual offense has been committed as described in ORS 163.305 to 163.467, 163.472 or 163.525; or

      (b) Any other individual designated as a victim of sexual assault by rule adopted under ORS 659A.805.

      (8) “Victim of stalking” means:

      (a) An individual against whom stalking has been committed as described in ORS 163.732;

      (b) An individual designated as a victim of stalking by rule adopted under ORS 659A.805; or

      (c) An individual who has obtained a court’s stalking protective order or a temporary court’s stalking protective order under ORS 30.866.

      (9) “Victim services provider” means a prosecutor-based victim assistance program or a nonprofit program offering safety planning, counseling, support or advocacy related to domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking. [2007 c.180 §2; 2011 c.687 §1; 2013 c.321 §3; 2013 c.687 §17; 2019 c.304 §4; 2023 c.549 §11]

 

      659A.272 Employer required to provide leave. Except as provided in ORS 659A.275, a covered employer shall allow an eligible employee to take reasonable leave from employment for any of the following purposes:

      (1) To seek legal or law enforcement assistance or remedies to ensure the health and safety of the employee or the employee’s minor child or dependent, including preparing for and participating in protective order proceedings or other civil or criminal legal proceedings related to domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (2) To seek medical treatment for or to recover from injuries caused by domestic violence or sexual assault to, harassment or stalking of or the commission of a bias crime against the eligible employee or the employee’s minor child or dependent.

      (3) To obtain, or to assist a minor child or dependent in obtaining, counseling from a licensed mental health professional related to an experience of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (4) To obtain services from a victim services provider for the eligible employee or the employee’s minor child or dependent.

      (5) To relocate or take steps to secure an existing home to ensure the health and safety of the eligible employee or the employee’s minor child or dependent. [2007 c.180 §3; 2011 c.687 §2; 2023 c.549 §12]

 

      659A.275 Undue hardship. (1) As used in this section, “undue hardship” means a significant difficulty and expense to a covered employer’s business and includes consideration of the size of the employer’s business and the employer’s critical need for the eligible employee.

      (2) A covered employer may limit the amount of leave an eligible employee takes under ORS 659A.272 if the employee’s leave creates an undue hardship on the employer’s business. [2007 c.180 §4]

 

      659A.277 Denying leave to employee prohibited. It is an unlawful employment practice for a covered employer to deny leave to an eligible employee or to discharge, threaten to discharge, demote, suspend or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee with regard to promotion, compensation or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment because the employee takes leave as provided in ORS 659A.272. [2007 c.180 §5]

 

      659A.279 Required posting of summaries of statutes and rules. Every covered employer shall keep summaries of ORS 659A.270 to 659A.285 and summaries of all rules promulgated by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries for the enforcement of ORS 659A.270 to 659A.285 posted in a conspicuous and accessible place in or about the premises where the employees of the covered employer are employed. Employers may obtain the summaries from the website of the Bureau of Labor and Industries or upon request from the bureau, the first copy of which shall be furnished without charge. In addition, upon request, the bureau shall furnish the complete text of all rules promulgated pursuant to ORS 659A.270 to 659A.285 to any employer without charge. [2013 c.321 §2]

 

      659A.280 Notice to employer; records confidential. (1) An eligible employee shall give the covered employer reasonable advance notice of the employee’s intention to take leave for the purposes identified in ORS 659A.272, unless giving the advance notice is not feasible.

      (2) The covered employer may require the eligible employee to provide certification that:

      (a) The employee or the employee’s minor child or dependent is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking; and

      (b) The leave taken is for one of the purposes identified in ORS 659A.272.

      (3) The eligible employee shall provide the certification within a reasonable time after receiving the covered employer’s request for the certification.

      (4) Any of the following constitutes sufficient certification:

      (a) A copy of a police report indicating that the eligible employee or the employee’s minor child or dependent was a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (b) A copy of a protective order or other evidence from a court, administrative agency or attorney that the eligible employee appeared in or was preparing for a civil, criminal or administrative proceeding related to domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (c) Documentation from an attorney, law enforcement officer, health care professional, licensed mental health professional or counselor, member of the clergy, employee of the Department of Justice division providing victim and survivor services or victim services provider that the eligible employee or the employee’s minor child or dependent was undergoing treatment or counseling, obtaining services or relocating as a result of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (5) All records and information kept by a covered employer regarding an eligible employee’s leave under ORS 659A.270 to 659A.285, including the fact that the employee has requested or obtained leave under ORS 659A.272, are confidential and may not be released without the express permission of the employee, unless otherwise required by law. [2007 c.180 §6; 2011 c.687 §3; 2023 c.549 §13]

 

      659A.283 Paid leave for public employees. (1) As used in this section, “public employer” means the State of Oregon.

      (2)(a) Notwithstanding ORS 659A.285, an eligible employee of the public employer who is a victim of domestic violence, a victim of harassment, a victim of sexual assault, a victim of bias or a victim of stalking shall be granted leave with pay from employment for the purposes specified in ORS 659A.272.

      (b) Leave with pay authorized by this section is in addition to any vacation, sick, personal business or other form of paid or unpaid leave available to the eligible employee. However, an eligible employee must exhaust all other forms of paid leave before the employee may use the paid leave established under this section.

      (c) An eligible employee may take up to 160 hours of leave with pay authorized by this section in each calendar year.

      (3) If the public employer has knowledge, or reasonably should have knowledge, that an employee is a victim of domestic violence, a victim of harassment, a victim of sexual assault, a victim of bias or a victim of stalking and that any direct or indirect communication to the eligible employee related to the victimization of the employee is made or attempted to be made in the workplace, the public employer of the employee shall immediately inform the employee and offer to report the communication to law enforcement.

      (4) The public employer shall annually inform all employees of the provisions of ORS 659A.290. [2013 c.613 §2; 2023 c.549 §14]

 

      659A.285 Use of paid leave. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, and unless otherwise provided by the terms of an agreement between the eligible employee and the covered employer, a collective bargaining agreement or an employer policy, a covered employer is not required to grant leave with pay to an eligible employee under ORS 659A.272.

      (2) An eligible employee who takes leave pursuant to ORS 659A.272 may use any paid accrued vacation leave, any accrued sick leave or personal business leave, or any other paid leave that is offered by the covered employer in lieu of vacation leave during the period of leave.

      (3) Subject to the terms of any agreement between the eligible employee and the covered employer or the terms of a collective bargaining agreement or an employer policy, the covered employer may determine the order in which paid accrued leave is to be used when more than one type of paid accrued leave is available to the employee. [2007 c.180 §7; 2015 c.352 §1]

 

(Prohibited Conduct)

 

      659A.290 Prohibited conduct by employer; records confidential. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Reasonable safety accommodation” may include, but is not limited to, a transfer, reassignment, modified schedule, use of available paid leave from employment, unpaid leave from employment, changed work telephone number, changed work station, installed lock, implemented safety procedure or any other adjustment to a job structure, workplace facility or work requirement in response to actual or threatened domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking.

      (b) “Victim of bias” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.270.

      (c) “Victim of domestic violence” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.270.

      (d) “Victim of harassment” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.270.

      (e) “Victim of sexual assault” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.270.

      (f) “Victim of stalking” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.270.

      (2) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to:

      (a) Refuse to hire an otherwise qualified individual because the individual is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (b) Discharge, threaten to discharge, demote, suspend or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an individual with regard to promotion, compensation or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment because the individual is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (c) Refuse to make a reasonable safety accommodation requested by an individual who is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer, as determined under ORS 659A.121.

      (3)(a) Prior to making a reasonable safety accommodation, an employer may require an individual to provide certification that the individual is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (b) An individual must provide a certification required under paragraph (a) of this subsection within a reasonable time after receiving the employer’s request for certification.

      (c) Any of the following constitutes sufficient certification:

      (A) A copy of a police report indicating that the individual was or is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (B) A copy of a protective order or other evidence from a court, administrative agency or attorney that the individual appeared in or is preparing for a civil, criminal or administrative proceeding related to domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (C) Documentation from an attorney, law enforcement officer, health care professional, licensed mental health professional or counselor, member of the clergy, employee of the Department of Justice division providing victim and survivor services or victim services provider that the individual was or is undergoing treatment or counseling, obtaining services or relocating as a result of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, bias or stalking.

      (d) All records and information kept by an employer regarding a reasonable safety accommodation made for an individual are confidential and may not be released without the express permission of the individual, unless otherwise required by law. [2009 c.478 §2; 2011 c.687 §4; 2013 c.613 §3; 2023 c.549 §15]

 

MISCELLANEOUS UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

 

(Prohibited Testing)

 

      659A.300 Requiring breathalyzer, polygraph, psychological stress or brain-wave test or genetic test prohibited; exceptions. (1) Except as provided in this section, it is an unlawful employment practice for any employer to subject, directly or indirectly, any employee or prospective employee to any breathalyzer test, polygraph examination, psychological stress test, genetic test or brain-wave test.

      (2) As used in this section:

      (a) “Breathalyzer test” means a test to detect the presence of alcohol in the body through the use of instrumentation or mechanical devices.

      (b) “Genetic test” has the meaning given in ORS 192.531.

      (c) “Polygraph examination or psychological stress test” means a test to detect deception or to verify the truth of statements through the use of instrumentation or mechanical devices.

      (d) An individual is “under the influence of intoxicating liquor” when the individual’s blood alcohol content exceeds the amount prescribed in a collective bargaining agreement or the amount prescribed in the employer’s work rules if there is no applicable collective bargaining provision.

      (3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall be construed to prohibit the administration of a polygraph examination to an individual, if the individual consents to the examination, during the course of criminal or civil judicial proceedings in which the individual is a party or witness or during the course of a criminal investigation conducted by a law enforcement agency, as defined in ORS 181A.010, a district attorney or the Attorney General.

      (4) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall be construed to prohibit the administration of a breathalyzer test to an individual if the individual consents to the test. If the employer has reasonable grounds to believe that the individual is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, the employer may require, as a condition for employment or continuation of employment, the administration of a blood alcohol content test by a third party or a breathalyzer test. The employer shall not require the employee to pay the cost of administering any such test.

      (5) Subsection (1) of this section does not prohibit the administration of a genetic test to an individual if the individual or the individual’s representative grants informed consent in the manner provided by ORS 192.535, and the genetic test is administered solely to determine a bona fide occupational qualification. [Formerly 659.227]

 

      659A.303 Employer prohibited from obtaining, seeking to obtain or using genetic information. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to seek to obtain, to obtain or to use genetic information of an employee or a prospective employee, or of a blood relative of the employee or prospective employee, to distinguish between or discriminate against or restrict any right or benefit otherwise due or available to an employee or a prospective employee.

      (2) For purposes of this section, “blood relative,” “genetic information” and “obtain genetic information” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 192.531. [Formerly 659.036; 2011 c.210 §4]

 

      659A.306 Requiring employee to pay for medical examination as condition of continued employment prohibited; exceptions. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for any employer to require an employee, as a condition of continuation of employment, to pay the cost of any medical examination or the cost of furnishing any health certificate.

      (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, it is not an unlawful employment practice for an employer to require the payment of medical examination or health certificate costs:

      (a) From health and welfare fringe benefit moneys contributed entirely by the employer; or

      (b) By the employee if the medical examination or health certificate is required pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, state or federal statute or city or county ordinance. [Formerly 659.330]

 

(Miscellaneous Provisions)

 

      659A.309 Discrimination solely because of employment of another family member prohibited; exceptions. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer solely because another member of an individual’s family works or has worked for that employer to:

      (a) Refuse to hire or employ an individual;

      (b) Bar or discharge from employment an individual; or

      (c) Discriminate against an individual in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

      (2) An employer is not required to hire or employ and is not prohibited from barring or discharging an individual if such action:

      (a) Would constitute a violation of any law of this state or of the United States, or any rule promulgated pursuant thereto, with which the employer is required to comply;

      (b) Would constitute a violation of the conditions of eligibility for receipt by the employer of financial assistance from the government of this state or the United States;

      (c) Would place the individual in a position of exercising supervisory, appointment or grievance adjustment authority over a member of the individual’s family or in a position of being subject to such authority which a member of the individual’s family exercises; or

      (d) Would cause the employer to disregard a bona fide occupational requirement reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the employer’s business.

      (3) As used in this section, “member of an individual’s family” means the spouse in a marriage, son, daughter, parent, brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, parent-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, stepparent or stepchild of the individual. [Formerly 659.340; 2015 c.629 §56]

 

      659A.312 Leave of absence to donate bone marrow; verification by employer. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to deny to grant already accrued paid leaves of absence to an employee who seeks to undergo a medical procedure to donate bone marrow. The total length of the leaves shall be determined by the employee, but shall not exceed the amount of already accrued paid leave or 40 work hours, whichever is less, unless agreed to by the employer.

      (2) The employer may require verification by a physician or naturopathic physician of the purpose and length of each leave requested by the employee to donate bone marrow. If there is a medical determination that the employee does not qualify as a bone marrow donor, the paid leave of absence used by the employee prior to that medical determination is not affected.

      (3) An employer shall not retaliate against an employee for requesting or using accrued paid leave of absence as provided by this section.

      (4) This section does not:

      (a) Prevent an employer from providing leave for bone marrow donations in addition to leave required under this section.

      (b) Affect an employee’s rights with respect to any other employment benefit.

      (5) This section applies only to employees who work an average of 20 or more hours per week. [Formerly 659.358; 2017 c.356 §82]

 

      659A.314 Discrimination for service as appointed member of state board or commission; requiring employee to use accrued leave prohibited; remedy for violation. (1) As used in this section, “state board or commission” means a state board or commission referred to in ORS 292.495.

      (2) It is an unlawful employment practice if an employer discharges, threatens to discharge, intimidates or coerces any employee by reason of the employee’s service or scheduled service as an appointed member of a state board or commission.

      (3) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, an employer may not require that an employee use vacation leave, sick leave or annual leave for time spent by the employee in service as an appointed member of a state board or commission, and the employer shall allow the employee to take leave without pay for time spent by the employee in service as an appointed member of the state board or commission.

      (4) The protections provided under subsection (3) of this section apply to an employee who has provided the employer with at least 21 days’ advance notice of any time the employee needs to spend in service as an appointed member of a state board or commission.

      (5) This section may not be construed to alter or affect an employer’s policies or agreements with employees concerning employees’ wages during times when an employee serves or is scheduled to serve as an appointed member of a state board or commission.

      (6) An employee who alleges a violation of this section may file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries in the manner provided by ORS 659A.820. [2023 c.331 §2]

 

      659A.315 Restricting use of tobacco in nonworking hours prohibited; exceptions. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for any employer to require, as a condition of employment, that any employee or prospective employee refrain from using lawful tobacco products during nonworking hours, except when the restriction relates to a bona fide occupational requirement.

      (2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply if an applicable collective bargaining agreement prohibits off-duty use of tobacco products. [Formerly 659.380; 2005 c.199 §3]

 

      659A.318 Discrimination relating to academic degree in theology or religious occupations prohibited. (1) If an employer requires an applicant or employee to have an academic degree from a post-secondary institution to qualify for a position, but does not require a degree with a specific title, it is an unlawful employment practice for the employer to refuse to hire or promote or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against the applicant or employee only because the applicant or employee meets the educational requirements for the position by having a degree leading to occupations in theology or religious occupations from a school that, when the degree was issued, was a school:

      (a) That, on July 14, 2005, met the criteria and followed procedures to obtain a religious exemption adopted by rule by the Oregon Student Access Commission and that offered only degrees leading to occupations in theology or religious occupations; or

      (b) Exempt from ORS 348.594 to 348.615 under ORS 348.604.

      (2) If an employer other than a public body, as defined in ORS 192.311, offers employees benefits of tuition reimbursement, educational debt reduction, educational incentive or educational contribution or gift match for educational services provided by a post-secondary institution and the employer does not restrict the program to specific institutions or degrees with specific titles, it is an unlawful employment practice for the employer to refuse to offer the benefit to or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee because the employee attends or seeks to attend a school that is:

      (a) A school that, on July 14, 2005, met the criteria and followed procedures to obtain a religious exemption adopted by rule by the Oregon Student Access Commission and that offered only degrees leading to occupations in theology or religious occupations; or

      (b) Exempt from ORS 348.594 to 348.615 under ORS 348.604. [2001 c.621 §93; 2005 c.546 §11; 2011 c.353 §5; 2023 c.557 §14]

 

      659A.320 Discrimination based on information in credit history prohibited; exceptions; remedies for violation. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to obtain or use for employment purposes information contained in the credit history of an applicant for employment or an employee, or to refuse to hire, discharge, demote, suspend, retaliate or otherwise discriminate against an applicant or an employee with regard to promotion, compensation or the terms, conditions or privileges of employment based on information in the credit history of the applicant or employee.

      (2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to:

      (a) Employers that are federally insured banks or credit unions;

      (b) Employers that are required by state or federal law to use individual credit history for employment purposes;

      (c) The application for employment or the employment of a public safety officer who will be or who is:

      (A) A member of a law enforcement unit;

      (B) Employed as a peace officer commissioned by a city, port, school district, mass transit district, county, university under ORS 352.121 or 353.125, Indian reservation, the Superintendent of State Police under ORS 181A.340, the Criminal Justice Division of the Department of Justice, the Oregon State Lottery Commission or the Governor or employed as a regulatory specialist by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission; and

      (C) Responsible for enforcing the criminal laws of this state or laws or ordinances related to airport security; or

      (d) The obtainment or use by an employer of information in the credit history of an applicant or employee because the information is substantially job-related and the employer’s reasons for the use of such information are disclosed to the employee or prospective employee in writing.

      (3) An employee or an applicant for employment may file a complaint under ORS 659A.820 for violations of this section and may bring a civil action under ORS 659A.885 and recover the relief as provided by ORS 659A.885 (1) and (2).

      (4) As used in this section, “credit history” means any written or other communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency that bears on a consumer’s creditworthiness, credit standing or credit capacity. [2010 c.102 §2; 2011 c.210 §6; 2011 c.506 §54; 2012 c.54 §25; 2012 c.67 §16; 2013 c.180 §49; 2015 c.614 §165; 2021 c.351 §293]

 

      659A.321 Seniority systems and benefit plans not unlawful employment practices. It is not an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency or labor organization to observe the terms of a bona fide seniority system or any bona fide employee benefit plan such as a retirement, pension or insurance plan, which is not a subterfuge to evade the purposes of this chapter. However, except as otherwise provided by law, no such employee benefit plan shall excuse the failure to hire any individual and no such seniority system or employee benefit plan shall require the involuntary retirement of any individual 18 years of age or older because of the age of such individual. [Formerly 659.028]

 

      659A.330 Employee social media account privacy; exception. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to:

      (a) Require or request an employee or an applicant for employment to establish or maintain a personal social media account, or to disclose or to provide access through the employee’s or applicant’s user name and password, password or other means of authentication that provides access to a personal social media account;

      (b) Require an employee or an applicant for employment to authorize the employer to advertise on the personal social media account of the employee or applicant;

      (c) Compel an employee or applicant for employment to add the employer or an employment agency to the employee’s or applicant’s list of contacts associated with a social media website;

      (d) Except as provided in subsection (4)(b) of this section, compel an employee or applicant for employment to access a personal social media account in the presence of the employer and in a manner that enables the employer to view the contents of the personal social media account that are visible only when the personal social media account is accessed by the account holder’s user name and password, password or other means of authentication;

      (e) Take, or threaten to take, any action to discharge, discipline or otherwise penalize an employee for the employee’s refusal to:

      (A) Establish or maintain a personal social media account;

      (B) Disclose, or provide access through, the employee’s user name and password, password or other means of authentication that is associated with a personal social media account;

      (C) Add the employer to the employee’s list of contacts associated with a social media website; or

      (D) Access a personal social media account as described in paragraph (d) of this subsection; or

      (f) Fail or refuse to hire an applicant for employment because the applicant refused to:

      (A) Establish or maintain a personal social media account;

      (B) Disclose, or provide access through, the applicant’s user name and password, password or other means of authentication that is associated with a personal social media account;

      (C) Add the employer to the applicant’s list of contacts associated with a social media website; or

      (D) Access a personal social media account as described in paragraph (d) of this subsection.

      (2) An employer may require an employee to disclose any user name and password, password or other means for accessing an account provided by, or on behalf of, the employer or to be used on behalf of the employer.

      (3) An employer may not be held liable for the failure to request or require an employee or applicant to disclose the information specified in subsection (1)(a) of this section.

      (4) Nothing in this section prevents an employer from:

      (a) Conducting an investigation, without requiring an employee to provide a user name and password, password or other means of authentication that provides access to a personal social media account of the employee, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements or prohibitions against work-related employee misconduct based on receipt by the employer of specific information about activity of the employee on a personal online account or service.

      (b) Conducting an investigation permitted under this subsection that requires an employee, without providing a user name and password, password or other means of authentication that provides access to a personal social media account of the employee, to share content that has been reported to the employer that is necessary for the employer to make a factual determination about the matter.

      (c) Complying with state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of self-regulatory organizations.

      (5) Nothing in this section prohibits an employer from accessing information available to the public about the employee or applicant that is accessible through an online account.

      (6) If an employer inadvertently receives the user name and password, password or other means of authentication that provides access to a personal social media account of an employee through the use of an electronic device or program that monitors usage of the employer’s network or employer-provided devices, the employer is not liable for having the information but may not use the information to access the personal social media account of the employee.

      (7) This section does not apply to an employer that is a law enforcement unit as defined in ORS 181A.355.

      (8) As used in this section:

      (a) “Personal social media account” means a social media account that is used by an employee or applicant for employment exclusively for personal purposes unrelated to any business purpose of the employer or prospective employer and that is not provided by or paid for by the employer or prospective employer.

      (b) “Social media” means an electronic medium that allows users to create, share and view user-generated content, including, but not limited to, uploading or downloading videos, still photographs, blogs, video blogs, podcasts, instant messages, electronic mail or Internet website profiles or locations. [2013 c.204 §2; 2015 c.229 §1; 2021 c.299 §6]

 

      659A.340 Interfering with employee’s good faith disclosure of information concerning unlawful conduct or certain violations prohibited; remedy. (1) As used in this section, “employer” means:

      (a) An adjudicated youth foster home as defined in ORS 420.888;

      (b) An adult foster home as defined in ORS 443.705;

      (c) A child care provider as defined in ORS 329A.700;

      (d) A child-caring agency as defined in ORS 418.205;

      (e) A child-caring facility as defined in ORS 418.950;

      (f) Community-based structured housing as defined in ORS 443.480;

      (g) A facility as defined in ORS 430.735;

      (h) A foster home as defined in ORS 418.625;

      (i) A long term care facility as defined in ORS 442.015;

      (j) A residential facility as defined in ORS 443.400;

      (k) A youth care center as defined in ORS 420.855; or

      (L) Any other entity that is licensed, certified or registered by a public body, as defined in ORS 174.109, to provide care to children, youth, individuals with disabilities or older adults.

      (2) It is an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A for an employer to violate ORS 329A.348, 418.256, 418.644, 420.872, 420.891, 441.046, 443.453 or 443.766 or to interfere with an employee’s good faith disclosure of information concerning the abuse or mistreatment of an individual cared for by the employer, violations of licensing or certification requirements, criminal activity occurring at the workplace, violations of state or federal laws or any practice that threatens the health and safety of the individual cared for by the employer to regulatory agencies, law enforcement authorities or persons who are acting on behalf of the individual.

      (3) An employee or a volunteer may file a civil action under ORS 659A.885, alleging violation of this section. [2019 c.381 §21; 2021 c.489 §158]

 

      Note: 659A.340 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 659A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      659A.343 Discrimination based on individual’s presentation of identification other than Real ID prohibited; remedies. (1) As used in this section, “Real ID” has the meaning given that term in ORS 807.450.

      (2) A person may not discriminate against an individual because the individual holds or presents a form of government issued identification other than a Real ID.

      (3) An individual claiming to be aggrieved by a violation of subsection (2) of this section may bring a civil action under ORS 659A.885 and recover the relief as provided by ORS 659A.885 (1) and (3). [2019 c.701 §11]

 

      659A.347 Discrimination related to possession of valid driver license. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to:

      (a) Require, as a condition for employment or continuation of employment, an employee or prospective employee to possess or present a valid driver license unless the ability to legally drive is an essential function of the job or is related to a legitimate business purpose.

      (b) Refuse to accept from an employee or prospective employee, as an alternative to a driver license, any other identification documents that are deemed acceptable for the purpose of forms prescribed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services that are used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.

      (2)(a) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer from accepting a driver license as identification if voluntarily offered by an employee or prospective employee.

      (b) An employer’s acceptance of a driver license if voluntarily offered by an employee or prospective employee may not be used as evidence of a violation of subsection (1) of this section. [2021 c.279 §2]

 

      659A.350 Interns. (1) An intern is considered to be in an employment relationship with an employer for the purposes of the employee protections provided under ORS 659A.030, 659A.082, 659A.109, 659A.112, 659A.136, 659A.142, 659A.199, 659A.230, 659A.233, 659A.236, 659A.290, 659A.300, 659A.303, 659A.306 and 659A.315.

      (2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section creates an employment relationship between an employer and an intern for the purposes of ORS chapter 652, 653, 654, 656, 657 or 658.

      (3) As used in this section, “intern” means a person who performs work for an employer for the purpose of training if:

      (a) The employer is not committed to hire the person performing the work at the conclusion of the training period;

      (b) The employer and the person performing the work agree in writing that the person performing the work is not entitled to wages for the work performed; and

      (c) The work performed:

      (A) Supplements training given in an educational environment that may enhance the employability of the intern;

      (B) Provides experience for the benefit of the person performing the work;

      (C) Does not displace regular employees;

      (D) Is performed under the close supervision of existing staff; and

      (E) Provides no immediate advantage to the employer providing the training and may occasionally impede the operations of the employer. [2013 c.379 §2]

 

      659A.355 Discrimination based on wage inquiry or wage complaint; exception. (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discharge, demote or suspend, or to discriminate or retaliate against, an employee with regard to promotion, compensation or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment because the employee has:

      (a) Inquired about, discussed or disclosed in any manner the wages of the employee or of another employee; or

      (b) Made a charge, filed a complaint or instituted, or caused to be instituted, an investigation, proceeding, hearing or action based on the disclosure of wage information by the employee.

      (2) This section does not apply to an employee who has access to wage information of employees as part of the job functions of the employee’s position and discloses the wages of those employees to individuals not authorized access to the information, unless the disclosure is in response to a charge or complaint or is in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing or action, including but not limited to an investigation conducted by the employer. [2015 c.307 §2]

 

      659A.357 Restricting salary history inquiries. It is an unlawful practice under ORS chapter 659A for an employer or prospective employer to seek the salary history of an applicant or employee from the applicant or employee or a current or former employer of the applicant or employee. This section is not intended to prevent an employer from requesting from a prospective employee written authorization to confirm prior compensation after the employer makes an offer of employment to the prospective employee that includes an amount of compensation. [2017 c.197 §4]

 

      Note: 659A.357 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 659A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      659A.360 Restricting criminal conviction inquiries; exceptions. (1) It is an unlawful practice for an employer to exclude an applicant from an initial interview solely because of a past criminal conviction.

      (2) An employer excludes an applicant from an initial interview if the employer:

      (a) Requires an applicant to disclose on an employment application a criminal conviction;

      (b) Requires an applicant to disclose, prior to an initial interview, a criminal conviction; or

      (c) If no interview is conducted, requires an applicant to disclose, prior to making a conditional offer of employment, a criminal conviction.

      (3) Subject to subsections (1) and (2) of this section, nothing in this section prevents an employer from considering an applicant’s conviction history when making a hiring decision.

      (4) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not apply:

      (a) If federal, state or local law, including corresponding rules and regulations, requires the consideration of an applicant’s criminal history;

      (b) To an employer that is a law enforcement agency;

      (c) To an employer in the criminal justice system; or

      (d) To an employer seeking a nonemployee volunteer. [2015 c.559 §1]

 

      Note: 659A.360 and 659A.362 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 659A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      659A.362 Enforcement. ORS 659A.360 is subject to enforcement by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries as provided in ORS 659A.820 to 659A.865. [2015 c.559 §2]

 

      Note: See note under 659A.360.

 

WORKPLACE FAIRNESS

 

      659A.370 Employer prohibited from entering into agreements that prevent employee from discussing certain unlawful conduct; exceptions; remedies. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) or (4) of this subsection, it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to enter into an agreement with a former, current or prospective employee, as a condition of employment, continued employment, promotion, compensation or the receipt of benefits, that contains a nondisclosure provision, a nondisparagement provision or any other provision that has the purpose or effect of preventing the employee from disclosing or discussing conduct:

      (a)(A) That constitutes discrimination prohibited by ORS 659A.030, including conduct that constitutes sexual assault; or

      (B) That constitutes discrimination prohibited by ORS 659A.082 or 659A.112; and

      (b)(A) That occurred between employees or between an employer and an employee in the workplace or at a work-related event that is off the employment premises and coordinated by or through the employer; or

      (B) That occurred between an employer and an employee off the employment premises.

      (2)(a) Whenever an employer and a former, current or prospective employee enter into an agreement, the terms of which release a claim brought against the employer by an employee alleging the occurrence of unlawful conduct described in subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section, the agreement may include one or more of the following provisions only when the employee who is a party to the agreement requests the inclusion of such provisions in the agreement:

      (A) A provision described in subsection (1) of this section;

      (B) A provision that prevents the disclosure of the amount of or fact of any settlement; or

      (C) A no-rehire provision that prohibits the employee from seeking reemployment with the employer as a term or condition of the agreement.

      (b) It is a violation of this subsection for an employer or former employer to:

      (A) Make an offer of settlement conditional upon a request to include in the agreement the provisions described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

      (B) Fail to provide a person with whom the employer seeks to enter into the agreement a copy of the policy described in ORS 659A.375.

      (3)(a) An agreement entered into under subsection (2) of this section must provide that the employee has at least seven days after executing the agreement to revoke the agreement.

      (b) The agreement may not become effective until after the revocation period has expired.

      (4) The prohibitions under subsection (1) of this section do not apply to agreements entered into between an employer and a former, current or prospective employee if an employer makes a good faith determination that the employee has engaged in conduct prohibited by ORS 659A.030, including sexual assault, conduct prohibited by ORS 659A.082 or 659A.112 or conduct prohibited by this section.

      (5) An employee may file a complaint under ORS 659A.820 for violations of this section and may bring a civil action under ORS 659A.885 and recover a civil penalty of up to $5,000 and relief as provided by ORS 659A.885 (1) to (3).

      (6) This section does not apply to an employee who is tasked by law to receive confidential or privileged reports of discrimination, sexual assault or harassment.

      (7) Except to the extent provided under subsections (2) and (4) of this section, provisions included in an agreement in violation of this section are void and unenforceable.

      (8) Nothing in this section prohibits an employer from enforcing a nondisclosure or nondisparagement agreement that is unrelated to the conduct described in subsection (1) of this section.

      (9) As used in this section, “sexual assault” means unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that is inflicted upon a person or compelled through the use of physical force, manipulation, threat or intimidation. [2019 c.343 §2; 2022 c.107 §1]

 

      659A.375 Employer policies relating to prevention of discrimination and sexual assault; requirements. (1) Every employer in this state shall adopt a written policy containing procedures and practices for the reduction and prevention of discrimination prohibited by ORS 659A.030, including sexual assault, as defined in ORS 659A.370, and discrimination prohibited by ORS 659A.082 and 659A.112.

      (2) At a minimum, the policy must:

      (a) Provide a process for an employee to report prohibited conduct;

      (b) Identify the individual designated by the employer who is responsible for receiving reports of prohibited conduct, including an individual designated as an alternate to receive such reports;

      (c) Include the statute of limitations period applicable to an employee’s right of action for alleging unlawful conduct described in subsection (1) of this section;

      (d) Include a statement that an employer may not require or coerce an employee to enter into a nondisclosure or nondisparagement agreement, including a description of the meaning of those terms;

      (e) Include an explanation that an employee claiming to be aggrieved by conduct described in subsection (1) of this section may voluntarily request to enter into an agreement described in ORS 659A.370 (2), including a statement that explains that the employee has at least seven days to revoke the agreement; and

      (f) Include a statement that advises employers and employees to document any incidents involving conduct prohibited by ORS 659A.030, including sexual assault as defined in ORS 659A.370, or conduct prohibited by ORS 659A.082 and 659A.112.

      (3) An employer shall:

      (a) Make the policy available to employees within the workplace;

      (b) Provide a copy of the policy to each employee at the time of hire;

      (c) Provide to each person with whom the employer seeks to enter into an agreement, as described in ORS 659A.370 (2), a copy of the policy in the language the employer typically uses to communicate with the person; and

      (d) Require any individual who is designated by the employer to receive complaints to provide a copy of the policy to an employee at the time that the employee discloses information regarding prohibited discrimination or harassment.

      (4) The Bureau of Labor and Industries shall make available on the bureau’s website model procedures or policies that employers may use as guidance to establish the policy described in this section.

      (5) Nothing in this section is intended to relieve an employer of liability for engaging in conduct that is prohibited under ORS chapter 659A. [2019 c.343 §3; 2022 c.107 §3]

 

      659A.377 Requirements for mediation related to claims or allegations of unlawful conduct as described under ORS 659A.370. For purposes of mediation related to claims or allegations of the unlawful conduct described under ORS 659A.370 (1)(a) and (b), a mediator in the mediation shall provide a person who is a party to the mediation and who is not represented by an attorney with a copy of the model procedures and policies made available by the Bureau of Labor and Industries under ORS 659A.375. [2022 c.107 §2]

 

      Note: 659A.377 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 659A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      659A.380 When severance or separation agreements are voidable by employer. Any agreement entered into between an employer and a person with the authority to hire and fire employees, or the discretion to exercise control over employees, that requires severance or separation payments is voidable by the employer if, after the employer conducts a good faith investigation, the employer determines that the person violated ORS 659A.370 or violated the policy adopted under ORS 659A.375 and that such violations were a substantial contributing factor in causing the separation from employment. [2019 c.343 §4]

 

      659A.390 Restrictions on no-rehire provisions as condition of workers’ compensation settlements; exceptions; remedy for violation; civil penalties. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “No-rehire provision” means any provision in an agreement barring a worker from seeking further employment, reemployment or reinstatement with an employer.

      (b) “Settlement agreement” means a settlement agreement disposing of all or part of a worker’s claim for workers’ compensation under ORS chapter 656.

      (c) “Worker” means a worker who has applied for benefits or invoked or utilized the procedures provided for in ORS chapter 656.

      (2) With respect to offers to enter into a settlement agreement, it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to:

      (a) Make an offer to negotiate a settlement agreement conditional upon a worker also entering into an agreement that includes a no-rehire provision.

      (b) Make an offer for a settlement agreement conditional upon the worker also entering into an agreement that includes a no-rehire provision unless:

      (A) Prior to the offer, the worker has provided the employer with written confirmation of the worker’s willingness to enter into an agreement that includes a no-rehire provision as a condition of entering into the settlement agreement; and

      (B) The settlement offer affirmatively states that entering into the settlement agreement is conditional upon the worker also entering into an agreement that includes a no-rehire provision.

      (3) Provided that the requirements under subsection (2)(b) of this section are met, it is not a violation of this section:

      (a) For any party participating in negotiations for a settlement agreement to make or reject an offer for a settlement agreement that includes a no-rehire provision.

      (b) For an employer to require a worker, as a condition of a settlement agreement, to also enter into an agreement that includes a no-rehire provision.

      (4) It is not a violation of this section for an employer to make an offer to enter into a settlement agreement that includes a no-rehire provision when the following circumstances exist:

      (a) The worker has not provided the written confirmation described in subsection (2)(b)(A) of this section; and

      (b) The offer affirmatively states that the offer is not conditional upon the worker also entering in an agreement that includes a no-rehire provision.

      (5) A worker may file a complaint under ORS 659A.820 for a violation of this section and may bring a civil action under ORS 659A.885 and recover a civil penalty of up to $5,000 and relief as provided by ORS 659A.885 (1) to (3). [2023 c.446 §2]

 

ACCESS TO PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS

 

(Unlawful Discrimination in Public Accommodations)

 

      659A.400 Place of public accommodation defined. (1) A place of public accommodation, subject to the exclusions in subsection (2) of this section, means:

      (a) Any place or service offering to the public accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges whether in the nature of goods, services, lodgings, amusements, transportation or otherwise.

      (b) Any place that is open to the public and owned or maintained by a public body, as defined in ORS 174.109, regardless of whether the place is commercial in nature.

      (c) Any service to the public that is provided by a public body, as defined in ORS 174.109, regardless of whether the service is commercial in nature.

      (2) A place of public accommodation does not include:

      (a) A Department of Corrections institution as defined in ORS 421.005.

      (b) A state hospital as defined in ORS 162.135.

      (c) A youth correction facility as defined in ORS 420.005.

      (d) A local correction facility or lockup as defined in ORS 169.005.

      (e) An institution, bona fide club or place of accommodation that is in its nature distinctly private. [Formerly 30.675; 2013 c.429 §1; 2013 c.530 §4]

 

      659A.403 Discrimination in place of public accommodation prohibited. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, all persons within the jurisdiction of this state are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of any place of public accommodation, without any distinction, discrimination or restriction on account of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age if the individual is of age, as described in this section, or older.

      (2) Subsection (1) of this section does not prohibit:

      (a) The enforcement of laws governing the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors and the frequenting by minors of places of public accommodation where alcoholic beverages are served;

      (b) The enforcement of laws governing the use of marijuana items, as defined in ORS 475C.009, by persons under 21 years of age and the frequenting by persons under 21 years of age of places of public accommodation where marijuana items are sold; or

      (c) The offering of special rates or services to persons 50 years of age or older.

      (3) It is an unlawful practice for any person to deny full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of any place of public accommodation in violation of this section. [Formerly 30.670; 2003 c.521 §1; 2005 c.131 §1; 2007 c.100 §5; 2015 c.614 §27; 2021 c.367 §37]

 

      659A.406 Aiding or abetting certain discrimination prohibited. Except as otherwise authorized by ORS 659A.403, it is an unlawful practice for any person to aid or abet any place of public accommodation, as defined in ORS 659A.400, or any employee or person acting on behalf of the place of public accommodation to make any distinction, discrimination or restriction on account of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age if the individual is 18 years of age or older. [Formerly 30.685; 2003 c.521 §2; 2007 c.100 §6; 2021 c.367 §38]

 

      659A.409 Notice that discrimination will be made in place of public accommodation prohibited; age exceptions. Except as provided by laws governing the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors, the use of marijuana items, as defined in ORS 475C.009, by persons under 21 years of age, the frequenting by minors of places of public accommodation where alcoholic beverages are served and the frequenting by persons under 21 years of age of places of public accommodation where marijuana items are sold, and except for special rates or services offered to persons 50 years of age or older, it is an unlawful practice for any person acting on behalf of any place of public accommodation as defined in ORS 659A.400 to publish, circulate, issue or display, or cause to be published, circulated, issued or displayed, any communication, notice, advertisement or sign of any kind to the effect that any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, services or privileges of the place of public accommodation will be refused, withheld from or denied to, or that any discrimination will be made against, any person on account of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age if the individual is of age, as described in this section, or older. [Formerly 659.037; 2003 c.521 §3; 2005 c.131 §2; 2007 c.100 §7; 2015 c.614 §28; 2021 c.367 §39]

 

      659A.410 Refusing to accept currency or coins as payment prohibited; exceptions; remedies for violation. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (4) of this section, it is an unlawful practice under ORS chapter 659A for a place of public accommodation offering goods or services, or any person acting on behalf of such place, to:

      (a) Refuse to accept from a customer or patron, as payment for goods and services, any of the following:

      (A) United States coins.

      (B) United States currency, including federal reserve bank notes and circulating notes of federal reserve banks and national banks.

      (b) Make any distinction, discrimination or restriction because a customer or patron offers any of the following as payment for goods and services:

      (A) United States coins.

      (B) United States currency, including federal reserve bank notes and circulating notes of federal reserve banks and national banks.

      (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a place of public accommodation, or any person acting on behalf of such place, may refuse to accept as payment for goods and services:

      (a) United States coins, in any combination, in an amount equal to or greater than $100; or

      (b) United States currency in denominations of $50 or $100.

      (3) This section does not apply to:

      (a) Farmers’ markets or roadside stands;

      (b) Transactions occurring on aircraft;

      (c) Transactions for goods or services involving a place or service offering goods, services, transient lodging or transportation, when the transaction or a portion of the transaction requires a customer or patron to deposit moneys or sign an agreement to rent or lease consumer goods;

      (d) Any establishment that is owned by or operated under the control of the United States Government or an agency of the United States;

      (e) Retail transactions that occur entirely over the telephone or by mail;

      (f) Internet-based transactions;

      (g) The purchase of diesel fuel or Class 1 flammable liquids at a filling station, service station, garage or other dispensary where diesel fuel or Class 1 flammable liquids are dispensed and sold at retail, during the hours in which the filling station, service station, garage or dispensary is unattended by an owner, operator or other employee to dispense the fuel or liquids or is attended by only one owner, operator or other employee to dispense the fuel or liquids;

      (h) Electric vehicle charging stations;

      (i) Transactions that occur in a micro market, including purchases from a vending machine;

      (j) Purchases from a vending machine, unless the vending machine is located within a concentration or cluster of more than eight vending machines that do not accept coins or currency as payment for purchases;

      (k) Activities for which a license or certificate is required to transact insurance;

      (L) A place of public accommodation that provides hospital or medical services and that bills or invoices a person after such services are rendered, provided that the place of public accommodation accepts coins and currency as payment for the bill or invoice by mail or at a designated location other than the location where the services are rendered;

      (m) Any regional office of the Department of Revenue;

      (n) A place of public accommodation that is a branch or office of a bank holding company, financial holding company, financial institution or trust company or an affiliate of a bank holding company, financial holding company, financial institution or trust company;

      (o) Transactions for which a license is required under ORS 59.165;

      (p) Transactions for which a license is required under ORS 86A.095 to 86A.198, 86A.200 to 86A.239 or 86A.303 to 86A.339;

      (q) Escrow transactions for which a license is required under ORS 696.511;

      (r) A licensee under ORS chapter 725;

      (s) A membership-only retail establishment where goods and services are sold to members who pay a recurring membership fee;

      (t) On-street and off-street parking pay stations that accept either coins or currency as one method of payment; or

      (u) On-street and off-street parking pay stations that do not accept coins or currency, provided that access to another pay station that accepts coins or currency as payment for the parking is made readily available to patrons.

      (4) It is not a violation of subsection (1) of this section for a place of public accommodation, including a venue or facility used for live entertainment or sporting events, to require patrons or event attendees to make purchases at different points of sale within the place of public accommodation using a payment system that transfers or converts cash into a cashless payment instrument, including, but not limited to, tokens, cards, wristbands or other instruments that are preloaded with funds, provided that the place of public accommodation does not charge a transaction fee for the conversion or transfer of cash to the cashless payment instrument or to refund any balance that remains on the cashless payment instrument back to the patron or event attendee.

      (5) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit, restrict or otherwise interfere with the ability of a place of public accommodation to:

      (a) Accept, in addition to the forms of payment described under subsection (1) of this section, as payment for goods or services any other form of payment, provided that such payment is not prohibited under federal or state law;

      (b) After services are rendered, invoice or bill a customer or patron, or submit a claim to a third party to receive payment for the services; or

      (c) Offer a customer or patron an incentive for paying for goods or services in coin or currency.

      (6) A person who alleges a violation of subsection (1) of this section may file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries in the manner provided by ORS 659A.820.

      (7) As used in this section:

      (a) “Affiliate” means any company that controls, is controlled by or is under common control of another company.

      (b) “Bank holding company,” “financial holding company,” “financial institution” and “trust company” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 706.008.

      (c) “Class 1 flammable liquids” has the meaning given that term in ORS 480.310.

      (d) “Consumer goods” has the meaning given that term in ORS 79.0102.

      (e) “Escrow” has the meaning given that term in ORS 696.505.

      (f)(A) “Internet-based transaction” means a transaction that occurs over the Internet and that involves a sale, purchase or reservation of or deposit for goods or services to be picked up by, delivered to, shipped to or consumed by a customer or patron.

      (B) “Internet-based transaction” does not mean an in-person transaction.

      (g) “Micro market” means an unattended retail establishment to which access by the general public is restricted that offers whole or fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, packaged foods or beverages for purchase through an automated payment processing system.

      (h) “Place of public accommodation” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.400.

      (i) “Regional office” means an office of the Department of Revenue other than a central office or headquarters building located in Salem.

      (j) “Transact insurance” has the meaning given that term in ORS 731.146.

      (k) “Transient lodging” has the meaning given that term in ORS 699.005.

      (L) “Vending machine” has the meaning given that term in ORS 624.310. [2022 c.98 §1; 2023 c.215 §1]

 

      Note: 659A.410 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 659A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

(Access to Employee Toilet Facilities)

 

      659A.411 Definitions for ORS 659A.411 to 659A.415. As used in ORS 659A.411 to 659A.415:

      (1) “Customer” means an individual who is lawfully on the premises of a place of public accommodation.

      (2) “Eligible medical condition” means the use of an ostomy device or a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, any other inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome or other medical condition that can cause a person to require access to a toilet facility without delay.

      (3) “Place of public accommodation” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.400. [2009 c.415 §1]

 

      Note: 659A.411 to 659A.415 and 659A.417 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 659A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      659A.413 Denial of access prohibited; exception. (1) A place of public accommodation that has an employee toilet facility shall allow a customer to use that facility during normal business hours if:

      (a) The customer requesting the use of the employee toilet facility suffers from an eligible medical condition;

      (b) Three or more employees of the place of public accommodation are working at the time the customer requests use of the employee toilet facility;

      (c) The customer presents a letter or other document from a physician, naturopathic physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner indicating that the customer suffers from an eligible medical condition, or presents an identification card that was issued by a national organization that advocates for persons with eligible medical conditions and that indicates that the person suffers from an eligible medical condition;

      (d) The employee toilet facility is reasonably safe and is not located in an area where providing access would create an obvious health or safety risk to the customer or an obvious security risk to the place of public accommodation; and

      (e) A public restroom is not immediately available to the customer.

      (2) This section does not apply to a gas station, as defined in ORS 646.932, with a building of 800 square feet or less. [2009 c.415 §2; 2017 c.356 §83]

 

      Note: See note under 659A.411.

 

      659A.415 Liability for damages; physical changes not required. (1) Places of public accommodation, and employees of places of public accommodation, are not liable for any damages suffered by a customer, or by any person accompanying a customer, while using an employee toilet facility pursuant to ORS 659A.413 unless the damages are the result of an intentional tort or gross negligence.

      (2) A place of public accommodation is not required to make any physical changes to an employee toilet facility by reason of ORS 659A.413. [2009 c.415 §3]

 

      Note: See note under 659A.411.

 

      659A.417 Violation of ORS 659A.413. Violation of ORS 659A.413 is a Class D violation. [2009 c.415 §4]

 

      Note: See note under 659A.411.

 

(Closed Captioning on Television Receivers)

 

      659A.419 Closed captioning required on television receivers in places of public accommodation; exceptions; training requirements; penalties; rules. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Closed-captioned television receiver” means a television and any other apparatus that is designed to receive or play back video programming transmitted simultaneously with sound and to display closed captioning, if technically feasible.

      (b) “Closed captioning” means a transcript or dialog of the audio portion of video programming that is displayed on the screen of a closed-captioned television receiver in real-time and in the language of the audio programming.

      (c) “Judicial department” has the meaning given that term in ORS 174.113.

      (d) “Public area” means a part of a place of public accommodation that is open to the general public.

      (2)(a) Except as otherwise provided by subsections (3), (4) and (6) of this section, every place of public accommodation that provides a closed-captioned television receiver in a public area shall activate closed captioning on the receiver unless the receiver does not have the technical ability to display closed captioning.

      (b) The closed captioning must appear in white text, on a black background, in a style, font and size that is readable to a person with a visual impairment.

      (3) Whenever a place of public accommodation provides multiple closed-captioned television receivers in a public area, the place of public accommodation shall activate closed captioning on at least 50 percent of the receivers within the area.

      (4) If a place of public accommodation offers closed-captioned television receivers as merchandise for sale and the receivers are displayed together, the place of public accommodation shall activate closed captioning on at least one of the receivers on display.

      (5)(a) A person acting on behalf of a place of public accommodation shall provide training to staff regarding the requirements of this section.

      (b) The Bureau of Labor and Industries shall develop, and make available on the bureau’s website, model training for a person acting on behalf of a place of public accommodation to use as guidance in providing the training required under paragraph (a) of this subsection.

      (6) This section does not:

      (a) Invalidate or limit the remedies, rights and procedures of any other federal, state or local laws that provide equal or greater protection of the rights of an individual with a disability who requests a reasonable accommodation that may be necessary to afford the individual with full and equal enjoyment of the place of public accommodation.

      (b) Require a place of public accommodation to repair or replace a closed-captioned television receiver that does not have the technical ability to display closed captioning.

      (c) Apply to the judicial department.

      (d) Require a place of public accommodation to display closed captioning on a closed-captioned television receiver with a picture screen that measures 12 inches or less in size.

      (e) Require a place of public accommodation to display closed captioning on a closed-captioned television receiver located:

      (A) In a private room that is made available for rent; or

      (B) In a hospital patient room.

      (7) Any violation of this section by a place of public accommodation or person acting on behalf of the place of public accommodation is an unlawful practice.

      (8) A person who alleges a violation of this section may file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries in the manner provided in ORS 659A.820.

      (9)(a) The bureau shall develop and provide a notice to the person acting on behalf of a place of public accommodation against whom a violation is alleged that states that the person may avoid a civil penalty for the violation by curing the violation within 30 days. The notice described under this paragraph must accompany the notice required under ORS 659A.820 (6).

      (b) If the person fails to cure the violation within 30 days, the bureau may impose a civil penalty of $75 upon the person found to have committed the violation. The bureau may impose a civil penalty of $150 for the second and each subsequent violation.

      (c) The bureau is not required to provide the person with an opportunity to cure a second or subsequent violation before imposing the civil penalty for the second or subsequent violation.

      (10) The bureau shall impose civil penalties under this subsection in the manner provided by ORS 183.745.

      (11) Moneys collected as penalties under this section shall be deposited in the Bureau of Labor and Industries Account established under ORS 651.160.

      (12) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt rules reasonably necessary for the administration of this section. [2023 c.144 §2]

 

      659A.420 [Formerly 659.031; repealed by 2008 c.36 §17]

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION IN REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

 

      659A.421 Discrimination in selling, renting or leasing real property prohibited. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Dwelling” means:

      (A) A building or structure, or portion of a building or structure, that is occupied, or designed or intended for occupancy, as a residence by one or more families; or

      (B) Vacant land offered for sale or lease for the construction or location of a building or structure, or portion of a building or structure, that is occupied, or designed or intended for occupancy, as a residence by one or more families.

      (b) “Purchaser” includes an occupant, prospective occupant, renter, prospective renter, lessee, prospective lessee, buyer or prospective buyer.

      (c) “Real property” includes a dwelling.

      (d)(A) “Source of income” includes federal rent subsidy payments under 42 U.S.C. 1437f and any other local, state or federal housing assistance.

      (B) “Source of income” does not include income derived from a specific occupation or income derived in an illegal manner.

      (2) A person may not, because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income of any person:

      (a) Refuse to sell, lease or rent any real property to a purchaser. This paragraph does not prevent a person from refusing to lease or rent real property to a prospective renter or prospective lessee:

      (A) Based upon the past conduct of a prospective renter or prospective lessee provided the refusal to lease or rent based on past conduct is consistent with local, state and federal law, including but not limited to fair housing laws; or

      (B) Based upon the prospective renter’s or prospective lessee’s inability to pay rent, taking into account the value of the prospective renter’s or prospective lessee’s local, state and federal housing assistance, provided the refusal to lease or rent based on inability to pay rent is consistent with local, state and federal law, including but not limited to fair housing laws.

      (b) Expel a purchaser from any real property.

      (c) Make any distinction, discrimination or restriction against a purchaser in the price, terms, conditions or privileges relating to the sale, rental, lease or occupancy of real property or in the furnishing of any facilities or services in connection therewith.

      (d) Attempt to discourage the sale, rental or lease of any real property to a purchaser.

      (e) Publish, circulate, issue or display, or cause to be published, circulated, issued or displayed, any communication, notice, advertisement or sign of any kind relating to the sale, rental or leasing of real property that indicates any preference, limitation, specification or unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income.

      (f) Assist, induce, incite or coerce another person to commit an act or engage in a practice that violates this section.

      (g) Coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of the person having exercised or enjoyed or having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this section.

      (h) Deny access to, or membership or participation in, any multiple listing service, real estate brokers’ organization or other service, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings, or discriminate against any person in the terms or conditions of the access, membership or participation.

      (i) Represent to a person that a dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental when the dwelling in fact is available for inspection, sale or rental.

      (j) Otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling to a person.

      (3)(a) A person whose business includes engaging in residential real estate related transactions may not discriminate against any person in making a transaction available, or in the terms or conditions of the transaction, because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income.

      (b) As used in this subsection, “residential real estate related transaction” means any of the following:

      (A) The making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance:

      (i) For purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling; or

      (ii) Secured by residential real estate; or

      (B) The selling, brokering or appraising of residential real property.

      (4) A real estate licensee may not accept or retain a listing of real property for sale, lease or rental with an understanding that a purchaser may be discriminated against with respect to the sale, rental or lease thereof because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income.

      (5) A person may not, for profit, induce or attempt to induce any other person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income.

      (6) This section does not apply with respect to sex distinction, discrimination or restriction if the real property involved is such that the application of this section would necessarily result in common use of bath or bedroom facilities by unrelated persons of opposite sex.

      (7)(a) This section does not apply to familial status distinction, discrimination or restriction with respect to housing for older persons.

      (b) As used in this subsection, “housing for older persons” means housing:

      (A) Provided under any state or federal program that is specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons, as defined by the state or federal program;

      (B) Intended for, and solely occupied by, persons 62 years of age or older; or

      (C) Intended and operated for occupancy by at least one person 55 years of age or older per unit. Housing qualifies as housing for older persons under this subparagraph if:

      (i) At least 80 percent of the dwellings are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older per unit; and

      (ii) Policies and procedures that demonstrate an intent by the owner or manager to provide housing for persons 55 years of age or older are published and adhered to.

      (c) Housing does not fail to meet the requirements for housing for older persons if:

      (A) Persons residing in the housing as of September 13, 1988, do not meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(B) or (C) of this subsection. However, new occupants of the housing shall meet the age requirements of paragraph (b)(B) or (C) of this subsection; or

      (B) The housing includes unoccupied units that are reserved for occupancy by persons who meet the age requirements of paragraph (b)(B) or (C) of this subsection.

      (d) Nothing in this section limits the applicability of any reasonable local, state or federal restrictions regarding the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling.

      (8) The provisions of subsection (2)(a) to (d) and (f) of this section that prohibit actions based upon sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or familial status do not apply to the renting of space within a single-family residence if the owner actually maintains and occupies the residence as the owner’s primary residence and all occupants share some common space within the residence.

      (9) Any violation of this section is an unlawful practice. [Formerly 659.033; 2007 c.100 §8; 2007 c.903 §4a; 2008 c.36 §6; 2013 c.740 §1; 2021 c.367 §40]

 

      659A.424 [2003 c.378 §2; 2007 c.100 §9; repealed by 2007 c.903 §§15,15a]

 

      659A.425 Violation based on facially neutral housing policy. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Facially neutral housing policy” means a guideline, practice, rule or screening or admission criterion, regarding a real property transaction, that applies equally to all persons.

      (b) “Protected class” means a group of persons distinguished by race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status, source of income or disability.

      (c) “Real property transaction” means an act described in ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 involving the renting or leasing of residential real property subject to ORS chapter 90.

      (2) A court or the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may find a person to have violated ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 if:

      (a) The person applies a facially neutral housing policy to a member of a protected class in a real property transaction involving a residential tenancy subject to ORS chapter 90; and

      (b) Application of the policy adversely impacts members of the protected class to a greater extent than the policy impacts persons generally.

      (3) In determining under subsection (2) of this section whether a violation has occurred and, if a violation has occurred, what relief should be granted, a court or the commissioner shall consider:

      (a) The significance of the adverse impact on the protected class;

      (b) The importance and necessity of any business purpose for the facially neutral housing policy; and

      (c) The availability of less discriminatory alternatives for achieving the business purpose for the facially neutral housing policy. [2008 c.36 §2; 2021 c.367 §41]

 

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS

 

      659A.550 Discrimination because of employment status prohibited; penalties. (1) Except as permitted under ORS chapter 240 or any other provision of law, an employer, the employer’s agent, representative or designee or an employment agency may not knowingly or purposefully publish in print or on the Internet an advertisement for a job vacancy in this state that provides that:

      (a) The qualifications for a job include current employment;

      (b) The employer, the employer’s agent, representative or designee or the employment agency will not consider or review an application for employment submitted by a job applicant who is currently unemployed; or

      (c) The employer, the employer’s agent, representative or designee or the employment agency will only consider or review applications for employment submitted by job applicants who are currently employed.

      (2) Violation of this section is an unlawful practice.

      (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to:

      (a) Prohibit an employer, the employer’s agent, representative or designee or an employment agency from publishing in print or on the Internet an advertisement for a job vacancy in this state that contains a provision:

      (A) Setting forth qualifications for a job vacancy, including but not limited to:

      (i) Holding a current and valid professional or occupational license, certificate, registration, permit or other credential; or

      (ii) A minimum level of education or training, or professional, occupational or field experience; or

      (B) Stating that only applicants who are current employees of the employer will be considered for the position.

      (b) Create or authorize a private cause of action by an aggrieved person against an employer, the employer’s agent, representative or designee or an employment agency that is alleged to violate or has violated this section.

      (4) An employer or employment agency that is found to have violated subsection (1) of this section by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall be assessed a civil penalty as provided under ORS 659A.855. [2012 c.85 §2]

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS FOR UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

 

(Enforcement Powers of Bureau of Labor and Industries)

 

      659A.800 Elimination and prevention of discrimination by Bureau of Labor and Industries; subpoenas. (1) The Bureau of Labor and Industries may take all steps necessary to eliminate and prevent unlawful practices. To eliminate the effects of unlawful discrimination, the bureau may promote voluntarily affirmative action by employers, labor organizations, governmental agencies, private organizations and individuals and may accept financial assistance and grants or funds for this purpose.

      (2) The bureau is given general jurisdiction and power for the purpose of eliminating and preventing unlawful practices.

      (3) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall employ a deputy commissioner and such other personnel as may be necessary to carry into effect the powers and duties conferred upon the bureau and the commissioner under this chapter and may prescribe the duties and responsibilities of the employees. The commissioner may delegate any of the powers under this chapter to the deputy commissioner employed under this subsection.

      (4) In the manner described in ORS 651.060, the commissioner may conduct investigations, issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum, administer oaths, obtain evidence and take testimony in all matters relating to the duties required under this chapter.

      (5) A person delegated any powers or duties under this section and ORS 659A.805 may not act as prosecutor and examiner in processing any violation under this chapter. [Formerly 659.100; 2007 c.277 §4]

 

      659A.805 Rules for carrying out ORS chapter 659A. (1) In accordance with any applicable provision of ORS chapter 183, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt reasonable rules:

      (a) Establishing what acts and communications constitute a notice, sign or advertisement that public accommodation or real property will be refused, withheld from, or denied to any person or that the person will be unlawfully discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, disability or:

      (A) With respect to public accommodation, age.

      (B) With respect to real property transactions, familial status or source of income.

      (b) Establishing what inquiries in connection with employment and prospective employment express a limitation, specification or unlawful discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age or disability.

      (c) Establishing what inquiries in connection with employment and prospective employment soliciting information as to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age or disability are based on bona fide occupational qualifications.

      (d) For internal operation and practice and procedure before the commissioner under this chapter.

      (e) Covering any other matter required to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

      (2) In adopting rules under this section the commissioner shall consider the following factors, among others:

      (a) The relevance of information requested to job performance in connection with which it is requested.

      (b) Available reasonable alternative ways of obtaining requested information without soliciting responses as to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, source of income or, with respect to real property transactions, familial status.

      (c) Whether a statement or inquiry soliciting information as to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, source of income or, with respect to real property transactions, familial status, communicates an idea independent of an intention to limit, specify or unlawfully discriminate as to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, source of income or, with respect to real property transactions, familial status.

      (d) Whether the independent idea communicated is relevant to a legitimate objective of the kind of transaction that it contemplates.

      (e) The ease with which the independent idea relating to a legitimate objective of the kind of transaction contemplated could be communicated without connoting an intention to unlawfully discriminate as to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, source of income or, with respect to real property transactions, familial status. [Formerly 659.103; 2003 c.521 §4; 2007 c.100 §10; 2007 c.903 §5a; 2021 c.367 §42]

 

      659A.810 Willful interference with administration of law and violation of orders of commissioner prohibited. (1) No person shall willfully resist, prevent, impede or interfere with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries or any authorized agents of the commissioner in the performance of duty under this chapter or willfully violate an order of the commissioner.

      (2) An appeal or other procedure for the review of any such order is not deemed to be such willful conduct. [Formerly 659.110]

 

      659A.815 Advisory agencies and intergroup-relations councils. (1) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall create such advisory agencies and intergroup-relations councils as the commissioner believes necessary to aid in effectuating the purposes of this chapter. The commissioner may empower advisory agencies and councils:

      (a) To study the problems of discrimination in all or specific fields of human relationships or in specific instances of discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, familial status or source of income.

      (b) To foster, through community effort or otherwise, goodwill, cooperation and conciliation among the groups and elements of the population of the state.

      (c) To make recommendations to the commissioner for the development of policies and procedures in general and in specific instances, and for programs of formal and informal education.

      (2) The advisory agencies and councils shall be composed of representative citizens, serving without pay, but with reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses in accordance with laws and regulations governing state officers.

      (3) The commissioner may make provision for technical and clerical assistance to the advisory agencies and councils and for the expenses of the assistance. [Formerly 659.115; 2007 c.100 §11; 2021 c.367 §43]

 

(Complaint, Investigation and Hearing Procedures)

 

      659A.820 Complaints. (1) As used in this section, for purposes of a complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law, “person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful practice” includes, but is not limited to, a person who believes that the person:

      (a) Has been injured by an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or a discriminatory housing practice; or

      (b) Will be injured by an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.

      (2) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful practice may file with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries a verified written complaint that states the name and address of the person alleged to have committed the unlawful practice. The complaint must be signed by the complainant. The complaint must set forth the acts or omissions alleged to be an unlawful practice. The complainant may be required to set forth in the complaint such other information as the commissioner may require. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a complaint under this section must be filed no later than one year after the alleged unlawful practice.

      (3) A complaint alleging an unlawful employment practice as described in ORS 243.323, 659A.030, 659A.082, 659A.112 or 659A.370 must be filed no later than five years after the occurrence of the alleged unlawful employment practice.

      (4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, a complaint may not be filed under this section if a civil action has been commenced in state or federal court alleging the same matters.

      (b) The prohibition described in paragraph (a) of this subsection does not apply to a complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or alleging discrimination under federal housing law.

      (5) If an employer has one or more employees who refuse or threaten to refuse to abide by the provisions of this chapter or to cooperate in carrying out the purposes of this chapter, the employer may file with the commissioner a verified complaint requesting assistance by conciliation or other remedial action.

      (6) Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, the commissioner shall notify the person against whom a complaint is made within 30 days of the filing of the complaint. The commissioner shall include in the notice the date, place and circumstances of the alleged unlawful practice.

      (7) The commissioner shall notify the person against whom a complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law is made within 10 days of the filing of the complaint. The commissioner shall include in the notice:

      (a) The date, place and circumstances of the alleged unlawful practice; and

      (b) A statement that the person against whom the complaint is made may file an answer to the complaint. [2001 c.621 §2; 2007 c.71 §214; 2007 c.903 §6; 2008 c.36 §7; 2009 c.108 §1; 2017 c.197 §5; 2019 c.343 §5; 2019 c.463 §5; 2021 c.293 §2]

 

      659A.825 Complaints filed by Attorney General or commissioner; temporary cease and desist orders in certain cases. (1)(a) If the Attorney General or the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries has reason to believe that any person has committed an unlawful practice, the Attorney General or the commissioner may file a complaint in the same manner as provided for a complaint filed by a person under ORS 659A.820.

      (b) If the Attorney General or the commissioner has reason to believe that a violation of ORS 659A.403, 659A.406 or 659A.409 has occurred, the Attorney General or the commissioner may file a complaint under this section against any person acting on behalf of a place of public accommodation and against any person who has aided or abetted in that violation.

      (c) If the Attorney General or the commissioner has reason to believe that an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law has occurred or is about to occur, the Attorney General or the commissioner may file a complaint in the same manner as a person filing a complaint under ORS 659A.820.

      (2) If the commissioner files a complaint under this section alleging an unlawful practice other than an unlawful employment practice, or if a person files a complaint under ORS 659A.820 alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law, the commissioner may also issue a temporary cease and desist order requiring any respondent named in the complaint to refrain from the unlawful practice alleged. A temporary cease and desist order under this section may contain any provision that could be included in a cease and desist order issued after a hearing under ORS 659A.850. [2001 c.621 §3; 2008 c.36 §8]

 

      659A.830 Authority of commissioner. (1) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, all authority of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries to conduct investigations or other proceedings to resolve a complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 ceases upon the filing of a civil action by the complainant alleging the same matters that are the basis of the complaint under ORS 659A.820.

      (2)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the commissioner may dismiss a complaint at any time after the complaint is filed. Upon the written request of the person who filed the complaint under ORS 659A.820, the commissioner shall dismiss the complaint. Upon dismissal of the complaint, the commissioner shall issue a 90-day notice if notice is required under ORS 659A.880.

      (b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection does not apply to a complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law. The commissioner shall dismiss a complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law if the commissioner finds no substantial evidence that an unlawful practice or discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur.

      (3) Except as provided in this section, all authority of the commissioner to conduct investigations or other proceedings to resolve a complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 ceases one year after the complaint is filed unless the commissioner has issued a finding of substantial evidence under ORS 659A.835 during the one-year period. Unless it is impracticable to do so, the commissioner shall make a final administrative disposition of a complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law no later than one year after receipt of the complaint.

      (4) The authority of the commissioner to conduct investigations or other proceedings to resolve a complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.403 or 659A.406 continues until the filing of a civil action by the complainant or until the commissioner dismisses the proceedings, enters into a settlement agreement or enters a final order in the matter after a hearing under ORS 659A.850.

      (5) The authority of the commissioner to conduct investigations or other proceedings to resolve a complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law does not cease upon the filing of a civil action by the complainant, but ceases upon the commencement of a trial in the civil action.

      (6) The authority of the commissioner to conduct investigations or other proceedings to resolve a complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 alleging a violation of ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or 659A.406 does not cease under subsection (3) of this section if the issuance of a finding of substantial evidence under ORS 659A.835 within the time allowed under subsection (3) of this section is not practicable. The commissioner shall notify the parties in writing of the reasons that the issuance of substantial evidence cannot be made within the time allowed.

      (7) Nothing in this section affects the ability of the commissioner to enforce any order entered by the commissioner or to enforce any settlement agreement signed by a representative of the commissioner. [2001 c.621 §4; 2007 c.903 §7; 2008 c.36 §9]

 

      659A.835 Investigation; finding of substantial evidence. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, after the filing of any complaint under ORS 659A.820 or 659A.825, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may investigate the complaint.

      (2) The commissioner shall commence an investigation of any complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 or 659A.825 alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law within 30 days after the filing of the complaint.

      (3) If, by reason of an investigation under this section, the commissioner determines that additional persons should be named as respondents in the complaint, the commissioner may add the names of those persons to the complaint. The commissioner may name additional persons as respondents under this subsection only during the course of the investigation. Within 10 days after identifying an additional person who will be named as a respondent, the commission shall serve the person with a copy of the complaint that identifies the alleged discriminatory housing practice and a notice that advises the person of the procedural rights and obligations of the person, including the person’s right to file an answer to the complaint.

      (4) If an investigation under this section discloses any substantial evidence supporting the allegations of a complaint, the commissioner shall issue a finding of substantial evidence. The finding must be sent to the respondent and the complainant and must be signed by the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee. The finding must include at least the following information:

      (a) The names of the complainant and the respondent;

      (b) The allegations contained in the complaint;

      (c) Facts found by the commissioner that are related to the allegations of the complaint; and

      (d) A statement that the investigation of the complaint has disclosed substantial evidence supporting the allegations of the complaint. [2001 c.621 §5; 2007 c.903 §8]

 

      659A.840 Settlement. (1) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries and any respondent named in a complaint may enter into a settlement at any time after the filing of a complaint. Upon issuing a finding of substantial evidence under ORS 659A.835, the commissioner may take immediate steps to settle the matter through conference, conciliation and persuasion, to eliminate the effects of the unlawful practice and to otherwise carry out the purposes of this chapter.

      (2) The terms of any settlement agreement entered into under this chapter must be contained in a written settlement agreement signed by the complainant, the respondent and a representative of the commissioner. Such agreement may include any or all terms and conditions that may be included in a cease and desist order issued by the commissioner after a hearing under ORS 659A.850.

      (3) A complainant may file a complaint with the commissioner at any time after a settlement agreement has been entered into under this chapter to seek enforcement of the terms of the agreement. A complaint under this subsection must be filed within one year after the act or omission alleged to be a violation of the terms of the agreement. The commissioner shall investigate and resolve the complaint in the same manner as provided in this chapter for a complaint filed under ORS 659A.820.

      (4) In addition to the remedy provided under subsection (3) of this section, a complainant may seek to enforce a settlement agreement entered into under this chapter by writ of mandamus or a civil action seeking injunctive relief or specific performance of the agreement.

      (5) The commissioner shall enter an order based on the terms of a settlement agreement that is signed by a representative of the commissioner and that is entered into after the issuance of formal charges under ORS 659A.845. In addition to enforcement in the manner provided by subsection (3) or (4) of this section, the order may be recorded in the County Clerk Lien Record in the manner provided by ORS 205.125 and enforced in the manner provided by ORS 205.126.

      (6) Nothing said or done in the course of settlement discussions concerning a complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law may be disclosed in any manner, including but not limited to disclosure under ORS 192.311 to 192.478, or be used as evidence in a subsequent proceeding under this chapter or under federal housing law, without the written consent of the persons concerned. [2001 c.621 §6; 2008 c.36 §10]

 

      659A.845 Formal charges. (1) If the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries issues a finding of substantial evidence under ORS 659A.835 and the matter cannot be settled through conference, conciliation and persuasion, or if the commissioner determines that the interest of justice requires that a hearing be held without first seeking settlement, the commissioner shall prepare formal charges. Formal charges must contain all information required for a notice under ORS 183.415 and must specify the allegations of the complaint to which the respondent will be required to make response. Formal charges shall also set the time and place for hearing the formal charges.

      (2)(a) The commissioner shall serve the formal charges on all respondents found to have engaged in the unlawful practice.

      (b) If the formal charges allege a violation of ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law, the commissioner shall serve on the named respondents and complainants the formal charges and a notice of the right of the respondents and complainants under ORS 659A.870 to opt for a court trial instead of a hearing under ORS 659A.850.

      (3) The commissioner may not prepare formal charges alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law after trial has begun in a civil action that the complainant commenced under state or federal law and that seeks relief with respect to that unlawful or discriminatory practice. [2001 c.621 §7; 2007 c.903 §9; 2008 c.36 §11; 2015 c.609 §§1,4]

 

      659A.850 Hearing; orders; fees. (1)(a) All proceedings before the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries under this section shall be conducted as contested case proceedings under the provisions of ORS chapter 183. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the commissioner may appoint a special tribunal or hearing officer to hear the matter. The commissioner may affirm, reverse, modify or supplement the determinations, conclusions or order of any special tribunal or hearing officer appointed under this subsection. The scheduling of a hearing under this section does not affect the ability of the commissioner and any respondent to thereafter settle the matters alleged in the complaint through conference, conciliation and persuasion.

      (b) In a proceeding under this section alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law:

      (A) Only an employee of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may be a member of a special tribunal or a hearing officer appointed to hear the matter.

      (B) An aggrieved person may intervene as a party in the proceeding. The commissioner may award prevailing party costs and reasonable attorney fees to a person who intervenes.

      (2) After considering all the evidence, the commissioner shall cause to be issued findings of facts and conclusions of law.

      (3) The commissioner shall issue an order dismissing the formal charges against any respondent not found to have engaged in any unlawful practice alleged in the complaint.

      (4) After a hearing under this section, the commissioner shall issue an appropriate cease and desist order against any respondent found to have engaged in any unlawful practice alleged in the complaint. The order must be signed by the commissioner and must take into account the need to supervise compliance with the terms of order. The order may require that the respondent:

      (a) Perform an act or series of acts designated in the order that are reasonably calculated to:

      (A) Carry out the purposes of this chapter;

      (B) Eliminate the effects of the unlawful practice that the respondent is found to have engaged in, including but not limited to paying an award of actual damages suffered by the complainant and complying with injunctive or other equitable relief; and

      (C) Protect the rights of the complainant and other persons similarly situated;

      (b) Submit reports to the commissioner on the manner of compliance with other terms and conditions specified in the commissioner’s order, and take other action as may be required to ensure compliance with the commissioner’s order; and

      (c) Refrain from any action specified in the order that would jeopardize the rights of the complainant or other persons similarly situated, or that would otherwise frustrate the purposes of this chapter.

      (5) A cease and desist order issued under subsection (4) of this section may be recorded in the County Clerk Lien Record in the manner provided by ORS 205.125 and enforced in the manner provided by ORS 205.126. In addition to enforcement under ORS 205.126, the order may be enforced by writ of mandamus or a civil action to compel specific performance of the order.

      (6) The commissioner may charge a respondent on a cease and desist order the actual collection fees charged to the bureau by any other governmental agency or any private collection agency assisting in the collection of the judgment. [2001 c.621 §8; 2007 c.903 §10; 2008 c.36 §12; 2009 c.110 §1; 2009 c.162 §2]

 

      659A.855 Civil penalty for certain complaints filed by commissioner. (1)(a) If the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries files a complaint under ORS 659A.825 alleging an unlawful practice other than an unlawful employment practice, and the commissioner finds that the respondent engaged in the unlawful practice, the commissioner may, in addition to other steps taken to eliminate the unlawful practice, impose a civil penalty upon each respondent found to have committed the unlawful practice.

      (b) Civil penalties under this subsection may not exceed $1,000 for each violation.

      (2)(a) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(b) of this section, if a complaint is filed under ORS 659A.820 or 659A.825 alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law and the commissioner finds that a respondent has engaged in an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law, the commissioner may assess against the respondent, in addition to any other relief available, a civil penalty:

      (A) In an amount not exceeding $11,000;

      (B) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, in an amount not exceeding $27,500 if the respondent has been adjudged to have engaged in one other discriminatory housing practice during the five-year period ending on the date of the filing of the formal charges leading to the hearing; or

      (C) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, in an amount not exceeding $55,000 if the respondent has been adjudged to have engaged in two or more discriminatory housing practices during the seven-year period ending on the date of the filing of the formal charges leading to the hearing.

      (b) If acts constituting the discriminatory housing practice that is the object of the hearing were committed by the same individual who has been previously adjudged to have committed acts constituting a discriminatory housing practice, the civil penalties listed in paragraph (a)(B) and (C) of this subsection may be imposed regardless of the period of time between the previous discriminatory housing practice and the discriminatory housing practice that is the object of this hearing.

      (3) All sums collected as civil penalties under this section must first be applied toward reimbursement of the costs incurred in determining the violations, conducting hearings and assessing and collecting the penalty. The remainder, if any, shall be paid over by the commissioner to the Department of State Lands for the benefit of the Common School Fund. The department shall issue a receipt for the money to the commissioner. [2001 c.621 §9; 2007 c.903 §11; 2011 c.210 §5]

 

      659A.860 Settlement agreements and orders. (1) The terms and conditions of any order issued by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries under this chapter, and of any settlement agreement entered into by a respondent under this chapter and signed by a representative of the commissioner, are binding on the agents and successors in interest of the respondent.

      (2) The commissioner may relax any terms or conditions of a settlement agreement or of a cease and desist order issued by the commissioner under this chapter, if the performance of those terms and conditions would cause undue hardship on the respondent or another person and those terms and conditions are not essential to protecting the complainant’s rights.

      (3) Any person aggrieved by the violation of the terms and conditions of a cease and desist order, or of any settlement agreement signed by a representative of the commissioner, whether by a respondent or by any agent or successor in interest of the respondent, may bring a civil action in the manner provided by ORS 659A.885 (3) and recover the same relief as provided by ORS 659A.885 (3) for unlawful practices. [2001 c.621 §10]

 

      659A.865 Retaliatory action prohibited. A respondent named in a complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 may not, with the intention of defeating a purpose of this chapter, take any action that deprives the person filing the complaint of any services, real property, employment or employment opportunities sought in the complaint during the period of time commencing with the date on which the respondent receives notice from the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries that the complaint has been filed and ending on the date on which an administrative determination is made on the merits of the complaint or the matter is resolved by settlement. [2001 c.621 §11]

 

CIVIL ACTIONS FOR UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

 

      659A.870 Election of remedies. (1) Except as provided in this section, the filing of a civil action by a person in circuit court pursuant to ORS 659A.885, or in federal district court under applicable federal law, waives the right of the person to file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries under ORS 659A.820 with respect to the matters alleged in the civil action.

      (2) The filing of a complaint under ORS 659A.820 is not a condition precedent to the filing of any civil action.

      (3) If a person files a civil action alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law, the filing does not constitute an election of remedies or a waiver of the right of the person to file a complaint with the commissioner under ORS 659A.820, but the commissioner shall dismiss the complaint upon the commencement of a trial in the civil action.

      (4) If a person files a complaint under ORS 659A.820 alleging a violation of ORS 652.220 and the commissioner issues a final order in favor of the complainant, the commissioner shall require the employer to pay an award of back pay for the lesser of:

      (a) The two-year period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint plus the period of time commencing with the date on which the complaint is filed and ending on the date on which the commissioner issued the order; or

      (b) The period of time the complainant was subject to an unlawful wage differential by the employer plus the period of time commencing with the date on which the complaint is filed and ending on the date on which the commissioner issued the order.

      (5)(a) The filing of a complaint under ORS 659A.820 by a person alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law does not constitute an election of remedies or a waiver of the right of the person to file a civil action with respect to the same matters, but a civil action may not be filed after a hearing officer has commenced a hearing on the record under this chapter with respect to the allegations of the complaint.

      (b) A respondent or complainant named in a complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 or 659A.825 alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law may elect to have the matter heard in circuit court under ORS 659A.885. The election must be made in writing and received by the commissioner within 20 days after service of formal charges under ORS 659A.845. If the respondent or the complainant makes the election, the commissioner shall pursue the matter in court on behalf of the complainant at no cost to the complainant.

      (c) If the Attorney General or the commissioner files a complaint under ORS 659A.825, the Attorney General or the commissioner may elect to have the matter heard in circuit court under ORS 659A.885.

      (d) If the respondent, the complainant, the Attorney General or the commissioner do not elect to have the matter heard in circuit court, the commissioner may conduct a hearing on the formal charges under ORS 659A.850.

      (6) A person who has filed a complaint under ORS 659A.820 need not receive a 90-day notice under ORS 659A.880 before commencing a civil action that is based on the same matters alleged in the complaint filed with the commissioner.

      (7) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (5) of this section, this section does not limit or alter in any way the authority or power of the commissioner, or limit or alter in any way any of the rights of an individual complainant, until and unless the complainant commences a civil action. [2001 c.621 §12; 2007 c.903 §12; 2008 c.36 §13; 2015 c.609 §§2,5; 2017 c.197 §§6,7]

 

      659A.875 Time limitations. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section:

      (a) A civil action under ORS 659A.885 alleging an unlawful employment practice other than a violation of ORS 243.323, 659A.030, 659A.082, 659A.112 or 659A.370 must be commenced within one year after the occurrence of the unlawful employment practice unless a complaint has been timely filed under ORS 659A.820.

      (b) A civil action under ORS 659A.885 alleging a violation of ORS 243.323, 659A.030, 659A.082, 659A.112 or 659A.370 must be commenced not later than five years after the occurrence of the alleged violation.

      (2) A person who has filed a complaint under ORS 659A.820 must commence a civil action under ORS 659A.885 within 90 days after a 90-day notice is mailed to the complainant under ORS 659A.880. This subsection does not apply to a complainant alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law.

      (3) A civil action alleging a violation of ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 must be commenced not later than two years after the occurrence or the termination of the unlawful practice, or within two years after the breach of any settlement agreement entered into under ORS 659A.840, whichever occurs last. The two-year period shall not include any time during which an administrative proceeding was pending with respect to the unlawful practice.

      (4) A civil action under ORS 659A.885 alleging an unlawful practice in violation of ORS 659A.403 or 659A.406 must be commenced within one year of the occurrence of the unlawful practice.

      (5) The notice of claim required under ORS 30.275 must be given in any civil action under ORS 659A.885 against a public body, as defined in ORS 30.260, or any officer, employee or agent of a public body as defined in ORS 30.260.

      (6) Notwithstanding ORS 30.275 (9):

      (a) A civil action under ORS 659A.885 against a public body, as defined in ORS 30.260, or any officer, employee or agent of a public body as defined in ORS 30.260, based on an unlawful employment practice other than a violation of ORS 243.323, 659A.030, 659A.082, 659A.112 or 659A.370 must be commenced within one year after the occurrence of the unlawful employment practice unless a complaint has been timely filed under ORS 659A.820.

      (b) A civil action under ORS 659A.885 alleging a violation of ORS 659A.030, 659A.082, 659A.112 or 659A.370 must be commenced not later than five years after the occurrence of the alleged violation unless a complaint has been timely filed under ORS 659A.820.

      (c) A civil action under ORS 659A.885 against a public body, as defined in ORS 30.260, or any officer, employee or agent of a public body as defined in ORS 30.260, alleging a violation of ORS 243.323, 659A.030, 659A.082 or 659A.112 must be commenced not later than five years after the occurrence of the alleged violation unless a complaint has been timely filed under ORS 659A.820.

      (7) For the purpose of time limitations, a compensation practice that is unlawful under ORS 652.220 occurs each time compensation is paid under a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice.

      (8) Notwithstanding ORS 30.275 (2)(b), notice of claim against a public body under ORS 652.220 or 659A.355 must be given within 300 days of discovery of the alleged loss or injury. [2001 c.621 §13; 2005 c.452 §1; 2008 c.36 §14; 2017 c.197 §8; 2019 c.343 §6; 2019 c.463 §6a]

 

      659A.880 Ninety-day notice. (1) If a complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 alleges unlawful practices other than those unlawful practices described in ORS 659A.403 and 659A.406, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall issue a 90-day notice to the complainant if the commissioner dismisses the complaint within one year after the filing of the complaint, and the dismissal is for any reason other than the fact that a civil action has been filed by the complainant.

      (2) If the complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 alleges unlawful practices other than those unlawful practices described in ORS 659A.145, 659A.403, 659A.406 and 659A.421, the commissioner shall issue a 90-day notice to the complainant on or before the one-year anniversary of the filing of the complaint unless a 90-day notice has previously been issued under subsection (1) of this section or the matter has been resolved by the execution of a settlement agreement.

      (3) A 90-day notice under this section must be in writing and must notify the complainant that a civil action against the respondent under ORS 659A.885 may be filed within 90 days after the date of mailing of the 90-day notice, and that any right to bring a civil action against the respondent under ORS 659A.885 will be lost if the action is not commenced within 90 days after the date of the mailing of the 90-day notice.

      (4) This section does not apply to a complainant alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law. [2001 c.621 §14; 2008 c.36 §15]

 

      659A.885 Civil action. (1) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful practice specified in subsection (2) of this section may file a civil action in circuit court. In any action under this subsection, the court may order injunctive relief and any other equitable relief that may be appropriate, including but not limited to reinstatement or the hiring of employees with or without back pay. A court may order back pay in an action under this subsection only for the two-year period immediately preceding the filing of a complaint under ORS 659A.820 with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, or if a complaint was not filed before the action was commenced, the two-year period immediately preceding the filing of the action. In any action under this subsection, the court may allow the prevailing party costs and reasonable attorney fees at trial and on appeal. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section:

      (a) The judge shall determine the facts in an action under this subsection; and

      (b) Upon any appeal of a judgment in an action under this subsection, the appellate court shall review the judgment pursuant to the standard established by ORS 19.415 (3).

      (2) An action may be brought under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of:

      (a) ORS 10.090, 10.092, 25.337, 25.424, 171.120, 243.323, 408.230, 408.237 (2), 468B.519, 475C.285, 476.574, 652.020, 652.220, 652.355, 653.060, 653.263, 653.265, 653.547, 653.549, 653.601 to 653.661, 659.852, 659A.030, 659A.040, 659A.043, 659A.046, 659A.063, 659A.069, 659A.082, 659A.088, 659A.103 to 659A.145, 659A.147, 659A.150 to 659A.186, 659A.194, 659A.199, 659A.203, 659A.218, 659A.228, 659A.230, 659A.233, 659A.236, 659A.250 to 659A.262, 659A.277, 659A.290, 659A.300, 659A.306, 659A.309, 659A.315, 659A.318, 659A.320, 659A.343, 659A.355, 659A.357, 659A.370 or 659A.421; or

      (b) ORS 653.470, except an action may not be brought for a claim relating to ORS 653.450.

      (3) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 25.337, 25.424, 243.323, 652.220, 652.355, 653.547, 653.549, 659.852, 659A.030, 659A.040, 659A.043, 659A.046, 659A.069, 659A.082, 659A.103 to 659A.145, 659A.199, 659A.203, 659A.228, 659A.230, 659A.250 to 659A.262, 659A.290, 659A.318, 659A.343, 659A.355, 659A.357, 659A.370 or 659A.421:

      (a) The court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, compensatory damages or $200, whichever is greater, and punitive damages;

      (b) At the request of any party, the action shall be tried to a jury;

      (c) Upon appeal of any judgment finding a violation, the appellate court shall review the judgment pursuant to the standard established by ORS 19.415 (1); and

      (d) Any attorney fee agreement shall be subject to approval by the court.

      (4) Notwithstanding ORS 31.730, in an action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 652.220, the court may award punitive damages if:

      (a) It is proved by clear and convincing evidence that an employer has engaged in fraud, acted with malice or acted with willful and wanton misconduct; or

      (b) An employer was previously adjudicated in a proceeding under this section or under ORS 659A.850 for a violation of ORS 652.220.

      (5) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 653.060 or 659A.147, the court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, compensatory damages or $200, whichever is greater.

      (6) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 171.120, 476.574 or 659A.218, the court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, compensatory damages or $250, whichever is greater.

      (7) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 10.090 or 10.092, the court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, a civil penalty in the amount of $720.

      (8) Any individual against whom any distinction, discrimination or restriction on account of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age, if the individual is 18 years of age or older, has been made by any place of public accommodation, as defined in ORS 659A.400, by any employee or person acting on behalf of the place or by any person aiding or abetting the place or person in violation of ORS 659A.406 may bring an action against the operator or manager of the place, the employee or person acting on behalf of the place or the aider or abettor of the place or person. Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, in an action under this subsection:

      (a) The court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, compensatory and punitive damages;

      (b) The operator or manager of the place of public accommodation, the employee or person acting on behalf of the place, and any aider or abettor shall be jointly and severally liable for all damages awarded in the action;

      (c) At the request of any party, the action shall be tried to a jury;

      (d) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing plaintiff;

      (e) The court may award reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees incurred by a defendant who prevails only if the court determines that the plaintiff had no objectively reasonable basis for asserting a claim or no reasonable basis for appealing an adverse decision of a trial court; and

      (f) Upon any appeal of a judgment under this subsection, the appellate court shall review the judgment pursuant to the standard established by ORS 19.415 (1).

      (9) When the commissioner or the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that a person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights protected by ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or federal housing law, or that a group of persons has been denied any of the rights protected by ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or federal housing law, the commissioner or the Attorney General may file a civil action on behalf of the aggrieved persons in the same manner as a person or group of persons may file a civil action under this section. In a civil action filed under this subsection, the court may assess against the respondent, in addition to the relief authorized under subsections (1) and (3) of this section, a civil penalty:

      (a) In an amount not exceeding $50,000 for a first violation; and

      (b) In an amount not exceeding $100,000 for any subsequent violation.

      (10) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or alleging discrimination under federal housing law, when the commissioner is pursuing the action on behalf of an aggrieved complainant, the court shall award reasonable attorney fees to the commissioner if the commissioner prevails in the action. The court may award reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees incurred by a defendant that prevails in the action if the court determines that the commissioner had no objectively reasonable basis for asserting the claim or for appealing an adverse decision of the trial court.

      (11) In an action under subsection (1) or (9) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law:

      (a) “Aggrieved person” includes a person who believes that the person:

      (A) Has been injured by an unlawful practice or discriminatory housing practice; or

      (B) Will be injured by an unlawful practice or discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.

      (b) An aggrieved person in regard to issues to be determined in an action may intervene as of right in the action. The Attorney General may intervene in the action if the Attorney General certifies that the case is of general public importance. The court may allow an intervenor prevailing party costs and reasonable attorney fees at trial and on appeal. [2001 c.621 §15; 2003 c.521 §5; 2003 c.522 §1; 2003 c.572 §21; 2003 c.603 §7; 2003 c.637 §18; 2005 c.199 §1; 2007 c.100 §12; 2007 c.180 §8; 2007 c.278 §3; 2007 c.280 §1; 2007 c.525 §4; 2007 c.903 §13; 2008 c.36 §16; 2009 c.378 §4; 2009 c.478 §3; 2009 c.524 §3; 2010 c.102 §3; 2011 c.118 §4; 2011 c.484 §3; 2013 c.519 §8; 2015 c.307 §3; 2015 c.434 §4; 2015 c.457 §5; 2015 c.537 §18; 2015 c.614 §166; 2016 c.73 §5; 2017 c.197 §§9,10; 2017 c.685 §12; 2017 c.691 §13; 2019 c.139 §§5,6; 2019 c.343 §§7,8; 2019 c.463 §§7,8; 2019 c.701 §§12,13; 2021 c.367 §§44,45; 2022 c.99 §§7,8]

 

      Note: The amendments to 659A.885 by section 58, chapter 700, Oregon Laws 2019, become operative January 1, 2025. See section 63, chapter 700, Oregon Laws 2019, as amended by section 1, chapter 30, Oregon Laws 2021, and section 6a, chapter 639, Oregon Laws 2021. The text that is operative on and after January 1, 2025, including amendments by section 46, chapter 367, Oregon Laws 2021, section 9, chapter 99, Oregon Laws 2022, and section 49, chapter 9, Oregon Laws 2023, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

      659A.885. (1) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful practice specified in subsection (2) of this section may file a civil action in circuit court. In any action under this subsection, the court may order injunctive relief and any other equitable relief that may be appropriate, including but not limited to reinstatement or the hiring of employees with or without back pay. A court may order back pay in an action under this subsection only for the two-year period immediately preceding the filing of a complaint under ORS 659A.820 with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, or if a complaint was not filed before the action was commenced, the two-year period immediately preceding the filing of the action. In any action under this subsection, the court may allow the prevailing party costs and reasonable attorney fees at trial and on appeal. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section:

      (a) The judge shall determine the facts in an action under this subsection; and

      (b) Upon any appeal of a judgment in an action under this subsection, the appellate court shall review the judgment pursuant to the standard established by ORS 19.415 (3).

      (2) An action may be brought under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of:

      (a) ORS 10.090, 10.092, 25.337, 25.424, 171.120, 243.323, 408.230, 408.237 (2), 468B.519, 475C.285, 476.574, 652.020, 652.220, 652.355, 653.060, 653.263, 653.265, 653.547, 653.549, 653.601 to 653.661, 657B.060, 657B.070, 659.852, 659A.030, 659A.040, 659A.043, 659A.046, 659A.063, 659A.069, 659A.082, 659A.088, 659A.103 to 659A.145, 659A.147, 659A.150 to 659A.186, 659A.194, 659A.199, 659A.203, 659A.218, 659A.228, 659A.230, 659A.233, 659A.236, 659A.250 to 659A.262, 659A.277, 659A.290, 659A.300, 659A.306, 659A.309, 659A.315, 659A.318, 659A.320, 659A.343, 659A.355, 659A.357, 659A.370 or 659A.421; or

      (b) ORS 653.470, except an action may not be brought for a claim relating to ORS 653.450.

      (3) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 25.337, 25.424, 243.323, 652.220, 652.355, 653.547, 653.549, 657B.060, 657B.070, 659.852, 659A.030, 659A.040, 659A.043, 659A.046, 659A.069, 659A.082, 659A.103 to 659A.145, 659A.199, 659A.203, 659A.228, 659A.230, 659A.250 to 659A.262, 659A.290, 659A.318, 659A.343, 659A.355, 659A.357, 659A.370 or 659A.421:

      (a) The court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, compensatory damages or $200, whichever is greater, and punitive damages;

      (b) At the request of any party, the action shall be tried to a jury;

      (c) Upon appeal of any judgment finding a violation, the appellate court shall review the judgment pursuant to the standard established by ORS 19.415 (1); and

      (d) Any attorney fee agreement shall be subject to approval by the court.

      (4) Notwithstanding ORS 31.730, in an action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 652.220, the court may award punitive damages if:

      (a) It is proved by clear and convincing evidence that an employer has engaged in fraud, acted with malice or acted with willful and wanton misconduct; or

      (b) An employer was previously adjudicated in a proceeding under this section or under ORS 659A.850 for a violation of ORS 652.220.

      (5) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 653.060 or 659A.147, the court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, compensatory damages or $200, whichever is greater.

      (6) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 171.120, 476.574 or 659A.218, the court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, compensatory damages or $250, whichever is greater.

      (7) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 10.090 or 10.092, the court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, a civil penalty in the amount of $720.

      (8) Any individual against whom any distinction, discrimination or restriction on account of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status or age, if the individual is 18 years of age or older, has been made by any place of public accommodation, as defined in ORS 659A.400, by any employee or person acting on behalf of the place or by any person aiding or abetting the place or person in violation of ORS 659A.406 may bring an action against the operator or manager of the place, the employee or person acting on behalf of the place or the aider or abettor of the place or person. Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, in an action under this subsection:

      (a) The court may award, in addition to the relief authorized under subsection (1) of this section, compensatory and punitive damages;

      (b) The operator or manager of the place of public accommodation, the employee or person acting on behalf of the place, and any aider or abettor shall be jointly and severally liable for all damages awarded in the action;

      (c) At the request of any party, the action shall be tried to a jury;

      (d) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing plaintiff;

      (e) The court may award reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees incurred by a defendant who prevails only if the court determines that the plaintiff had no objectively reasonable basis for asserting a claim or no reasonable basis for appealing an adverse decision of a trial court; and

      (f) Upon any appeal of a judgment under this subsection, the appellate court shall review the judgment pursuant to the standard established by ORS 19.415 (1).

      (9) When the commissioner or the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that a person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights protected by ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or federal housing law, or that a group of persons has been denied any of the rights protected by ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or federal housing law, the commissioner or the Attorney General may file a civil action on behalf of the aggrieved persons in the same manner as a person or group of persons may file a civil action under this section. In a civil action filed under this subsection, the court may assess against the respondent, in addition to the relief authorized under subsections (1) and (3) of this section, a civil penalty:

      (a) In an amount not exceeding $50,000 for a first violation; and

      (b) In an amount not exceeding $100,000 for any subsequent violation.

      (10) In any action under subsection (1) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or alleging discrimination under federal housing law, when the commissioner is pursuing the action on behalf of an aggrieved complainant, the court shall award reasonable attorney fees to the commissioner if the commissioner prevails in the action. The court may award reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees incurred by a defendant that prevails in the action if the court determines that the commissioner had no objectively reasonable basis for asserting the claim or for appealing an adverse decision of the trial court.

      (11) In an action under subsection (1) or (9) of this section alleging a violation of ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under federal housing law:

      (a) “Aggrieved person” includes a person who believes that the person:

      (A) Has been injured by an unlawful practice or discriminatory housing practice; or

      (B) Will be injured by an unlawful practice or discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.

      (b) An aggrieved person in regard to issues to be determined in an action may intervene as of right in the action. The Attorney General may intervene in the action if the Attorney General certifies that the case is of general public importance. The court may allow an intervenor prevailing party costs and reasonable attorney fees at trial and on appeal.

 

      659A.890 Civil action for violation of ORS 659A.865. (1) Any person aggrieved by a violation of ORS 659A.865 may bring a civil action in the manner provided by ORS 659A.885 (3) and recover the same relief as provided by ORS 659A.885 (3) for unlawful practices.

      (2) As a defense to any cause of action arising under this section, the defendant may plead and prove that either:

      (a) Subsequent to the defendant’s conduct on which the plaintiff bases the cause of action, the complaint under ORS 659A.820 has been dismissed by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries or deputy, or the court, either for want of evidence to proceed to a hearing or for lack of merit after such hearing; or

      (b) In the case of the sale of real property, defendant’s conduct giving rise to plaintiff’s cause of action was neither committed within the first two years after notice by the commissioner or deputy of the filing of the complaint under ORS 659A.820, nor within any extended period of time obtained at the request of respondent for disposition of the case. [Formerly 659.105]

 

PENALTIES

 

      659A.990 Penalties. Violation of ORS 659A.810 is a Class A misdemeanor. [2001 c.621 §66; 2011 c.597 §274]

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