SB 726 Oregon Senate · 2019 Regular Session

Relating to unlawful conduct in the workplace; and prescribing an effective date.

Summary
Makes unlawful employment practice for employer to request employee to ] enter agreement that would prevent employee from disclosing or discussing conduct that constitutes unlawful discrimination, including sexual assault. Allows civil and administrative remedies for violation against unlawful employment practice. Provides that employer may, in certain circumstances, enter into settlement, separation or severance agreement that includes provision that would prevent employee from disclosing or discussing such conduct or that would prohibit employee from seeking reemployment with employer as term or condition of agreement. Allows civil and administrative remedies for violation against unlawful practice. Makes unlawful employment practice for any person to aid, abet, incite, compel, coerce or conceal any acts prohibited under provisions of Act and any acts that constitute certain types of unlawful discrimination. Clarifies that employer's withholding of certain information from person who is owner, president, partner or corporate officer of employer, during course of employer's investigation, is not unlawful employment practice, provided that employer makes person aware of ongoing investigation. ] Allows person who is owner, president, partner or corporate officer to be held individually liable for engaging in prohibited acts. ] Requires all employers to adopt written policy containing procedures and practices for reduction and prevention of certain types of unlawful discrimination, including sexual assault. Requires employers to post notice ] make policy available to employees in workplace and provide employees with copy of policy at time of hire. Requires Bureau of Labor and Industries to make available on bureau's website model procedures or polices that employers may use to establish employer policies. Makes voidable any agreement to pay severance pay to person found to have engaged in conduct that violates employer's policies or provisions of Act and such violations were substantial contributing factor in causing separation from employment . Extends timeline for filing complaint with Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries alleging certain unlawful employment practices. Extends statute of limitations from one year to seven ] five years to file civil action for certain violations of law. Provides that extended statute of limitations applies to certain conduct that occurs on or after effective date of Act. Requires commissioner to adopt any rules necessary to implement certain provisions of Act no later than 90 days after effective date. Becomes operative January ] October 1, 2020. Permits commissioner to adopt rules and take any action before operative date of Act that is necessary to enable bureau to exercise duties, powers and functions conferred on bureau. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2019
Committee Review
May 2019
Senate Passage
Jun 2019
House Passage
Jun 2019
Signed into Law
Jun 2019
Introduced Jan 31, 2019 Signed Jun 11, 2019
Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2019 · House May 30, 2019

How they voted

236
Passed
Total votes 29
Apr 22, 2019
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
I Independent1
1 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican10
5 Yea 5 Nay
50% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Jun 11, 2019
Signed into law
Governor signed.
upper
Jun 4, 2019
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Jun 3, 2019
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
May 30, 2019
Lower · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Williamson, Salinas. Passed.
lower
May 20, 2019
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass.
lower
Apr 26, 2019
Committee
Referred to Judiciary.
lower
Apr 23, 2019
Introduced
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
lower
Apr 22, 2019
Introduced
Vote explanations filed by Boquist, Thomsen.
upper
Apr 22, 2019
Upper · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Taylor, Knopp. Passed.
upper
Apr 17, 2019
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)
upper
Feb 1, 2019
Committee
Referred to Workforce.
upper
Jan 31, 2019
Introduced
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
5 primary · 29 co-sponsors

Sponsors