The new year is coming and so are some new laws. Here are some laws legislation passed:
Senate Bill 621 gives Portland the go-ahead to create its new citizen-led police oversight board. Previously, state labor law was unclear on if the city and police union needed to negotiate moving to a citizen-led oversight board from the current system. The legislation allows other cities to do the same if voters approve the change.
House Bill 2936 expands and improves background checks for applicants to law enforcement agencies. It makes them uniform across the state and also allows agencies to set policies for, and monitor what’s on, an employee’s personal social media accounts. The goal is to weed out applicants who may be racist or who have ties to extremist groups
House Bill 3145 requires law enforcement agencies to report discipline to the state that involves economic sanctions within 10 days, like a suspension without pay. That information will also be added to a public database with the state agency that certifies law enforcement officers. Right now, the database only includes info for officers who have their certification suspended or revoked. The discipline information must be forwarded once the discipline decision is through the arbitration process.
Senate Bill 850 requires counties to track the deaths of homeless people, similar to what Multnomah County is already doing. It will make it easier for the state to keep track of how many homeless people pass away.
House Bill 2935 adds natural hairstyles, like braids, to anti-discrimination legislation for schools and employers. It also allows student-athletes to wear religious clothing during sports. Senate Bill 398 makes it a crime to intimidate someone by displaying a noose. It will now be a misdemeanor in Oregon.
House Bill 3291 forces counties to include ballots that are received up to seven calendar days after the election, if they’re mailed by election day and postmarked.
Senate Bill 3273 limits when mugshots can be released to the public. Police can only release them if there is a law enforcement need, like catching a wanted person, or if the person has been convicted for the crime that resulted in the mugshot being taken. The photos can still be released to victims.
House Bill 3369 allows nurses to discuss possible medical use of marijuana with their patients. It passed the House 47-5 and passed the Senate 21-6.
