Bill Text: OR SB768 | 2013 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Relating to institutional discrimination in state government; declaring an emergency.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2013-07-08 - In committee upon adjournment. [SB768 Detail]
Download: Oregon-2013-SB768-Engrossed.html
77th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2013 Regular Session NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within { + braces and plus signs + } . LC 3513 A-Engrossed Senate Bill 768 Ordered by the Senate April 22 Including Senate Amendments dated April 22 Sponsored by Senator STARR (at the request of Oregon League of Minority Voters) SUMMARY The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's brief statement of the essential features of the measure. { - Establishes Oregon Civil Rights Network. Instructs Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office to provide administrative assistance to network. Instructs network to develop certain guidelines and to share information and expertise related to discrimination and systemic inequalities in Oregon. Requires network to develop coordinated enforcement process for investigation of complaints. - } { + Establishes Oregon Civil Rights Task Force. Directs task force to develop guidelines and share information and expertise related to discrimination and systematic inequalities in Oregon. Requires task force to develop coordinated enforcement process for investigation of complaints. Requires Bureau of Labor and Industries to provide staff support to task force. Sunsets task force on date of convening of 2015 regular session of Legislative Assembly. Declares emergency, effective on passage. + } A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to institutional discrimination in state government; and declaring an emergency. Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. { + (1) The Oregon Civil Rights Task Force is established in the Bureau of Labor and Industries. The task force shall consist of: (a) One member from each of the following agencies: (A) The Department of Justice; (B) The Employment Department; (C) The Department of Consumer and Business Services; (D) The Bureau of Labor and Industries; (E) The Department of Human Services; (F) The Commission on Black Affairs; (G) The Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs; (H) The Commission on Hispanic Affairs; (I) The Commission for Women; (J) The Oregon Disabilities Commission; (K) The Department of Transportation; and (L) Other state agencies that enter into the intergovernmental agreement described in subsection (13) of this section. (b) Four members of the public with expertise and experience in discrimination and equity issues, one appointed by each of the following: (A) The Majority Leader of the Senate; (B) The Minority Leader of the Senate; (C) The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives; and (D) The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. (2) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. (3) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the members of the task force. (4) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson. (5) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective. (6) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the task force. (7) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force. (8) The task force shall: (a) Develop guidelines for identifying, avoiding and eliminating discriminatory practices in state government; (b) Share expertise and information related to addressing systemic inequalities in Oregon; (c) Study investigative capabilities and compliance mechanisms currently in place in state agencies to address discrimination and equity issues; (d) Identify opportunities for and obstacles to eliminating compliance with laws relating to discrimination in Oregon; (e) Develop a plan for implementing a coordinated enforcement process for laws relating to discrimination in Oregon and for eliminating inequalities that is efficient, fair and effective both for the public and for the regulatory agencies charged with enforcing those laws; and (f) Take such other action as the member agencies deem appropriate to improve compliance with laws relating to discrimination in Oregon. (9) The task force shall submit a report in the manner provided in ORS 192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to business and labor no later than October 1, 2014. (10) The Bureau of Labor and Industries shall provide staff support to the task force. (11) Members of the task force are not entitled to compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by them in the performance of their official duties in the manner and amounts provided for in ORS 292.495. Claims for expenses shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the Bureau of Labor and Industries for purposes of the task force. (12) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties. (13)(a) The agencies identified in subsection (1)(a) of this section shall enter into an intergovernmental agreement for the purpose of coordinating the efforts of the agencies under this section. Any other agency of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, that has an interest in compliance with laws relating to discrimination in Oregon may become a member of the task force by entering into the agreement on such terms as may be prescribed by the agencies identified in subsection (1)(a) of this section. (b) Any agency that is a member of the task force may enter into an agreement with another member agency to provide information to the other agency. Information provided to an agency under this subsection may be used by the agency only for the purpose of enforcing compliance with laws that are administered by the agency. + } SECTION 2. { + Section 1 of this 2013 Act is repealed on the date of the convening of the 2015 regular session of the Legislative Assembly as specified in ORS 171.010. + } SECTION 3. { + This 2013 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2013 Act takes effect on its passage. + } ----------