Published: June 5, 2023

Closed captioning on televisions

Senate Bill 569

What it does: Oregon grants all persons of age the right to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of any place of public accommodation. SB 569 will require every qualifying place with a closed-captioning capable television receiver in a public area, including schools, to activate closed captioning on at least 50% of the receivers. The bill will also require staff to be trained regarding closed captioning requirements.

What’s next: This enrolled bill goes into effect 91 days after sine die.  


OSCIM program

Senate Bill 285

What it does: The Oregon Department of Education administers the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching program, which provides matching grants to school districts for capital costs that are financed with Article XI-P bonds. SB 285 would increase the grant amounts allowed through the program, modify the procedure for calculating and awarding grants, and allow for grant amounts to be biennially adjusted for inflation.

What’s next: The bill has been approved by the Legislature and awaits Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature.


Unemployment benefits

Senate Bill 489

What it does: Unemployment insurance benefits are not available to people who work for educational institutions during school breaks, including summer break. SB 489 will extend those benefits to all educational workers who are not performing instructional, research or principal administrative work during school breaks and summer months in certain employment groups. Certain requirements that currently apply to standard unemployment processes, including around offers to accept summer employment, would still apply.

What’s next: The bill has been approved by the Legislature and awaits Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature.


Special education records

Senate Bill 758

What it does: SB 758 will establish timelines and redacting requirements for records related to the provision of special education as well as stipulations for communications between school employees and students and their parents.

What’s next: The bill has been approved by the Legislature and awaits Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature.


Hazardous workplace conditions

Senate Bill 907

What it does: SB 907 will prohibit an employer from barring or discharging an employee, or to discriminate against an employee or prospective employee, because the employee refused to expose themselves to a hazardous workplace condition.

What’s next: The bill has been approved by the Legislature and awaits Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature.


Diploma requirements

Senate Bill 992

What it does: A school district or public charter school shall award a regular high school diploma, a modified diploma, an extended diploma or an alternative certificate to a student who completes the requirements established in ORS 329.451. An alternative certificate may be awarded to a student who does not satisfy the requirements for a high school diploma, a modified diploma or an extended diploma if the student meets requirements established by the school board. SB 992 will change the alternative certificate to a certificate of attendance and will require students who qualify for a modified diploma, an extended diploma or a certificate of attendance to have access to the same instructional hours, hours of transition services and hours of other services that equal the total number of instructional hours available to other students attending public high school.

What’s next: The bill has been approved by the Legislature and awaits Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature.