Bill Text: OR SB768 | 2013 | Regular Session | Engrossed

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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

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     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. + }
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