OREGON: Credit check rule proposal needs work, says Vigilant

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is now reviewing comments received in response to its proposed regulations interpreting Oregon’s new law restricting employers’ ability to request credit histories on applicants or employees. Vigilant submitted written comments and testified on members’ behalf at a public hearing on May 3. BOLI’s proposal contains a very stringent interpretation of permissible “job-related” credit checks. It would also impose notice requirements on employers that go far beyond those in the statute. BOLI is now reviewing the comments and hopes to finalize its regulations before the new law (SB 1045) takes effect on July 1, 2010. Vigilant will inform members when the rules become final.