The Oregon legislature has taken steps to simplify compliance for employers, passing Senate Bill 1515 which eliminates many of the redundancies between the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) and Paid Leave Oregon (PLO). The bill addresses duplicative coverage involving the same qualifying events and has simplified the process of using accrued paid time off benefits while receiving PLO benefits. As of July 1st, a significant amount of the leave available under OFLA will be cut. There are also smaller changes to Paid Leave Oregon to consider, with BOLI amendments to OFLA, PLO, and Sick Leave regulations aligning to statutory changes made to OFLA and PLO. These amendments have been put in place since March 2nd, 2024.

In reaction to these changes, it’s recommended that employers review and revise their leave policies, update any systems tracking leave, inform employees about the changes, and keep an eye out for revised posters and further rule clarifications. Legal advice should be acquired before making decisions based on general legal information.

For those eligible for benefits under programs like Paid Leave Oregon, it’s vital to understand the changes and how to access these benefits effectively. Those seeking assistance with this can refer to the Employment Department and BOLI for their interpretations and remit under leave programs. If you’re unsure about how to contact these departments, websites like eddcaller.com can help you get through to the right department and speak to a live person, providing assistance with navigating these changes.