Rep. Ken Helm

Requires schools to have at least one panic alarm in each school building. ] Requires schools to have wireless panic alert device in each classroom of each school building. Provides exceptions. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Education for purpose of assisting school districts to purchase and install wireless panic alert devices and systems. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.

Clarifies meaning of "because of age" in employment discrimination law. Designates as unlawful employment practice for employer to seek age of applicant prior to completing initial interview or making conditional offer of employment and to include certain words or phrases in job application that suggest age preferences. Permits employer to seek age of applicant under certain circumstances. Removes provision that includes apprentices within scope of unlawful employment discrimination statute.

Prohibits, in specified areas of law, discrimination or harassment against persons based on caste. Authorizes enforcement of prohibition through civil action for actual and punitive damages. Authorizes attorney fees in civil proceedings for unlawful discrimination. Includes caste as protected class in bias crimes and incidents. Prohibits profiling by law enforcement agency or officer based on caste. Adds caste to real or perceived factors of motivation or basis for conduct addressed by standards for law enforcement officers. Requires law enforcement agencies to report statistics concerning crimes motivated by prejudice based on perceived caste. Adds caste to classes protected by community engagement plans for planning water projects. Adds caste to classes promoted by affirmative action by state boards, commissions and advisory boards and all branches of state government. Adds caste to types of persecution or well-founded fears of persecution that refugee children are defined to have experienced. Prohibits public charter schools from limiting student enrollment based on caste. Includes caste within cultural competence guidelines developed by System of Care Advisory Council. Prohibits person that sells guaranteed asset protection waiver in sale of motor vehicle from varying terms based on caste. Requires state agencies to eliminate discrimination based on caste. Requires state agencies to adopt any rules related to implementation of provisions of Act no later than January 1, 2024. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Modifies provisions of Department of Transportation wildlife-vehicle collision program. Requires department to describe and make recommendations for ongoing funding strategy for program. Directs State Department of Fish and Wildlife to carry out projects to support species mobility and habitat connectivity. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires original equipment manufacturer to make available to owner of consumer electronic equipment or independent repair provider on fair and reasonable terms any documentation, tool, part or other device or implement that original equipment manufacturer makes available to authorized repair ] service provider for purpose of diagnosing, maintaining or repairing consumer electronic equipment. Provides that person who suffers ascertainable loss of money or property has right to bring action to recover damages for violation of ] seek order requiring compliance with provisions of Act. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Establishes Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program. Authorizes Department of Land Conservation and Development to appoint Advisory Committee on Community Green Infrastructure Investment. Establishes Community Green Infrastructure Fund. Establishes Community Green Infrastructure Task Force. ] Directs State Department of Agriculture to certify certain nurseries as green communities nurseries. Directs State Forestry Department to acquire and maintain urban tree canopy assessment tool. Directs department to develop emerald ash borer assistance program ] and implement program for technical and financial assistance for planning, response and recovery activities related to loss of tree canopy . Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to require majority of each house of Legislative Assembly to be present to conduct business. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

Requires original equipment manufacturer to make available to owner of consumer electronic equipment or independent repair provider on fair and reasonable terms any documentation, tool, part or other device or implement that original equipment manufacturer makes available to authorized service provider for purpose of diagnosing, maintaining or repairing consumer electronic equipment. Provides that person who suffers ascertainable loss of money or property has right to bring action to seek order requiring compliance with provisions of Act. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Provides employee with right to refuse to perform task assigned by employer under certain circumstances. Protects employee against disciplinary action for exercising right. ] Prohibits employer from retaliating or discriminating against employee for invoking right ] or prospective employee who, in good faith and with no reasonable alternative, refuses exposure arising from hazardous condition at place of employment . Allows employee to use sick leave to cover period when employee is not working due to employee's exercising right to refuse to perform assigned task. ] Requires Director of Department of Consumer and Business Services to adopt rules to implement provisions of Act that are in accordance with federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Authorizes board of directors of rural fire protection district to annex to district, under certain circumstances, lands that are within coverage area of district. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.