Legislative Briefs
Agricultural education support
What it does: This bill requires the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to coordinate with the Oregon FFA Association to expand programs that increase student achievement and improve graduation rates, college preparation and career placement for students enrolled in secondary agricultural courses. This bill also establishes and overseas a grant program to fund extended-duty contracts in school districts to allow personnel to manage the agricultural program during the summer months. This bill has a general fund allocation that ODE will set up and monitor for the grant and program expansions.
What’s new: FFA students participated in the House Education Committee’s public hearing Wednesday, Jan. 30.
What’s next: The bill is scheduled for a work session Monday, Feb. 4, and is expected to pass out of committee.
Workplace assault and harassment
What it does: This bill provides further definition for assault and harassment; requires public employers, which includes school districts, to adopt written policies to prevent workplace harassment, to provide a copy of the policies to each employee, and to develop written policies and procedures for investigating reports of workplace harassment; and prohibits public funds being paid to any person in exchange for the person's silence or inaction related to allegations or investigations of workplace harassment. This bill will also require employers to follow up with victims of reported harassment to determine whether harassment has stopped or if the victim has experienced retaliation.
What's new: Employers and unions characterized current workplace practices and policies during a public hearing Thursday, Jan. 31. This bill highlights the additional work needed to change workplace culture.
What's next: The bill has not been scheduled for further consideration, and OSBA continues to work with stakeholders and legislators to refine it.