Note:  These updates are informational only.  It is not legal advice.  
If you have questions about the information in any update, please contact us so we can properly assess
your situation and discuss a resolution that best suits your government.

Executive Sessions: Tricks and Traps

Executive sessions can be useful tools to allow governing bodies to discuss confidential matters not yet appropriate for general public knowledge. Be sure that your board or council is familiar with the allowances and limitations of ORS 192.660 and related statutes and rules before calling an executive session. When in doubt, check with legal counsel before noticing the meeting to ensure that all requirements are properly met.

Discipline and Discharge

All employers are faced with situations where an employee needs to be disciplined or have their employment terminated. This article will discuss how to avoid making some obvious mistakes when handling the discipline and termination processes. There is no such thing as a “slam-dunk” discipline or termination. In this era of litigation, every discipline or termination decision could be subject to a claim or a lawsuit.

Changes to OFLA and PLO

This is a friendly reminder about the Oregon Legislature’s recently passed Senate Bill 1515, which made changes to the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) effective July 1, 2024.  The goal of these change was to minimize overlap between the provisions of OFLA and Paid Leave Oregon (PLO).  This is your reminder to review and update your policies consistent with the changes from SB 1515. 

One Year of Recreational Immunity

Oregon’s “recreational immunity” law has been a hot topic in the local government world this past year. After a July 2023 Court of Appeals decision, which interpreted and applied the statutory protection in a new way, the Oregon legislature recently passed a bill temporarily re-framing recreational immunity under law.