Lydia Laythe |
You might not start smoking this year. You might not get a mammogram either. But if you plan on looking for a job, renting a house, owning a dog, or applying to another university there are some things you should know about new Oregon legislation now enacted in 2014.
1. Job-seekers: Employers can no longer require access to employees’ personal social media accounts. Prior to this bill, some employers required applicants to submit their social media account usernames and passwords as part of the hiring process. This practice is no longer allowed. House Bill 2654
2. Students: Colleges and universities can no longer require access to students’ personal social media accounts. This includes not requiring students/employees to become connected with the institution’s account(s) on social media. Senate Bill 344
3. Drivers: Smoking with a child in the car is now illegal. A first offense will cost $250, but a secondary offense could cost $500. Maximum fines for using a cell phone while driving have doubled. Judges will be allowed to fine as much as $500. Senate Bill 444 (smoking); Senate Bill 9 (cellphone use)
4. Pet Owners: Tying up a dog with a short leash for an extended amount of time is now a crime and could result (if the dog is injured due to the tethering) in a $6,250 fine and possible prison time. House Bill 2783
5. Renters: Now landlords and property managers can require tenants to obtain renters insurance. In addition to that, rental criteria will now be more flexible: criteria may not deny an applicant because of past eviction filing (if it was dismissed), for previous arrests without convictions or for evictions that are five or more years old. Senate Bill 91
6.. Smokers: Cigarette taxes increase by 13 cents, making the cost $1.31 per pack. House Bill 2231
7. Tanning: Anyone under 18 years old will now require a doctor’s note to use a tanning bed. House Bill 2896
8. Workers: Minimum wage increased by 15 cents, making minimum wage $9.10 which is well above the federal minimum wage of $7.25. This is not a new law, but the result of an older one which requires minimum wage to increase with inflation.
9. Women: Doctors must now notify women if their mammogram results show dense breast tissue, as this denser tissue makes tumor-spotting more difficult and may require more screening. Senate Bill 420
10. Minors: Now minors, age 14 or older, can obtain professional outpatient diagnosis and treatment of mental/emotional disorders or addiction without parental knowledge or consent. This bill enables teens from troubled families to seek healthcare services. Senate Bill 491
Track a bill. This website allows you to look up information about any House or Senate Bill. You can track/search for a bill through their number (i.e. “Senate Bill 491”) or through a topic search (i.e. “Minimum wage”).
