2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 659A - Unlawful Discrimination in Employment, Public Accommodations and Real Property Transactions; Administrative and Civil Enforcement
Section 659A.421 - Discrimination in selling, renting or leasing real property prohibited.


(a) "Dwelling" means:
(A) A building or structure, or portion of a building or structure, that is occupied, or designed or intended for occupancy, as a residence by one or more families; or
(B) Vacant land offered for sale or lease for the construction or location of a building or structure, or portion of a building or structure, that is occupied, or designed or intended for occupancy, as a residence by one or more families.
(b) "Purchaser" includes an occupant, prospective occupant, renter, prospective renter, lessee, prospective lessee, buyer or prospective buyer.
(c) "Real property" includes a dwelling.
(d)(A) "Source of income" includes federal rent subsidy payments under 42 U.S.C. 1437f and any other local, state or federal housing assistance.
(B) "Source of income" does not include income derived from a specific occupation or income derived in an illegal manner.
(2) A person may not, because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income of any person:
(a) Refuse to sell, lease or rent any real property to a purchaser. This paragraph does not prevent a person from refusing to lease or rent real property to a prospective renter or prospective lessee:
(A) Based upon the past conduct of a prospective renter or prospective lessee provided the refusal to lease or rent based on past conduct is consistent with local, state and federal law, including but not limited to fair housing laws; or
(B) Based upon the prospective renter’s or prospective lessee’s inability to pay rent, taking into account the value of the prospective renter’s or prospective lessee’s local, state and federal housing assistance, provided the refusal to lease or rent based on inability to pay rent is consistent with local, state and federal law, including but not limited to fair housing laws.
(b) Expel a purchaser from any real property.
(c) Make any distinction, discrimination or restriction against a purchaser in the price, terms, conditions or privileges relating to the sale, rental, lease or occupancy of real property or in the furnishing of any facilities or services in connection therewith.
(d) Attempt to discourage the sale, rental or lease of any real property to a purchaser.
(e) Publish, circulate, issue or display, or cause to be published, circulated, issued or displayed, any communication, notice, advertisement or sign of any kind relating to the sale, rental or leasing of real property that indicates any preference, limitation, specification or unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income.
(f) Assist, induce, incite or coerce another person to commit an act or engage in a practice that violates this section.
(g) Coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of the person having exercised or enjoyed or having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this section.
(h) Deny access to, or membership or participation in, any multiple listing service, real estate brokers’ organization or other service, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings, or discriminate against any person in the terms or conditions of the access, membership or participation.
(i) Represent to a person that a dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental when the dwelling in fact is available for inspection, sale or rental.
(j) Otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling to a person.
(3)(a) A person whose business includes engaging in residential real estate related transactions may not discriminate against any person in making a transaction available, or in the terms or conditions of the transaction, because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income.
(b) As used in this subsection, "residential real estate related transaction" means any of the following:
(A) The making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance:
(i) For purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling; or
(ii) Secured by residential real estate; or
(B) The selling, brokering or appraising of residential real property.
(4) A real estate licensee may not accept or retain a listing of real property for sale, lease or rental with an understanding that a purchaser may be discriminated against with respect to the sale, rental or lease thereof because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income.
(5) A person may not, for profit, induce or attempt to induce any other person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status or source of income.
(6) This section does not apply with respect to sex distinction, discrimination or restriction if the real property involved is such that the application of this section would necessarily result in common use of bath or bedroom facilities by unrelated persons of opposite sex.
(7)(a) This section does not apply to familial status distinction, discrimination or restriction with respect to housing for older persons.
(b) As used in this subsection, "housing for older persons" means housing:
(A) Provided under any state or federal program that is specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons, as defined by the state or federal program;
(B) Intended for, and solely occupied by, persons 62 years of age or older; or
(C) Intended and operated for occupancy by at least one person 55 years of age or older per unit. Housing qualifies as housing for older persons under this subparagraph if:
(i) At least 80 percent of the dwellings are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older per unit; and
(ii) Policies and procedures that demonstrate an intent by the owner or manager to provide housing for persons 55 years of age or older are published and adhered to.
(c) Housing does not fail to meet the requirements for housing for older persons if:
(A) Persons residing in the housing as of September 13, 1988, do not meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(B) or (C) of this subsection. However, new occupants of the housing shall meet the age requirements of paragraph (b)(B) or (C) of this subsection; or
(B) The housing includes unoccupied units that are reserved for occupancy by persons who meet the age requirements of paragraph (b)(B) or (C) of this subsection.
(d) Nothing in this section limits the applicability of any reasonable local, state or federal restrictions regarding the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling.
(8) The provisions of subsection (2)(a) to (d) and (f) of this section that prohibit actions based upon sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or familial status do not apply to the renting of space within a single-family residence if the owner actually maintains and occupies the residence as the owner’s primary residence and all occupants share some common space within the residence.
(9) Any violation of this section is an unlawful practice. [Formerly 659.033; 2007 c.100 §8; 2007 c.903 §4a; 2008 c.36 §6; 2013 c.740 §1; 2021 c.367 §40]

Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

Volume : 16 - Trade Practices, Labor and Employment

Chapter 659A - Unlawful Discrimination in Employment, Public Accommodations and Real Property Transactions; Administrative and Civil Enforcement

Section 659A.001 - Definitions.

Section 659A.003 - Purpose of ORS chapter 659A.

Section 659A.006 - Declaration of policy against unlawful discrimination; opportunity to obtain employment without unlawful discrimination recognized as a civil right; exception of religious group.

Section 659A.012 - State agencies to carry out policy against discrimination in employment; evaluation of supervisors; affirmative action reports.

Section 659A.030 - Discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age or expunged juvenile record prohibited.

Section 659A.033 - Violation of ORS 659A.030 by denying religious leave or prohibiting certain religious observances or practices; determination of reasonable accommodation.

Section 659A.036 - Short title.

Section 659A.040 - Discrimination against worker applying for workers’ compensation benefits prohibited.

Section 659A.043 - Reinstatement of injured worker to former position; certificate evidencing ability to work; effect of collective bargaining agreement; termination of right to reinstatement; when reinstatement right terminates.

Section 659A.046 - Reemployment of injured worker in other available and suitable work; termination of right to reemployment; effect of collective bargaining agreement.

Section 659A.052 - Reemployment rights of injured state workers; rules.

Section 659A.060 - Definitions for ORS 659A.060 to 659A.069.

Section 659A.063 - State to continue group health benefits for injured worker and covered dependents; when ended.

Section 659A.082 - Discrimination against person for service in uniformed service prohibited.

Section 659A.086 - Employment rights of members of organized militia when called into active state service.

Section 659A.088 - Violation of ORS 659A.086 as unlawful employment practice; complaint; remedies and penalties.

Section 659A.089 - Notification to Director of Veterans’ Affairs.

Section 659A.090 - Definitions for ORS 659A.090 to 659A.099.

Section 659A.093 - Employer required to provide leave; job protection; benefits; notice to employer; use of accrued leave; rules.

Section 659A.096 - Denial of leave, retaliation and discrimination prohibited.

Section 659A.103 - Policy.

Section 659A.104 - Description of disability for purposes of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145.

Section 659A.112 - Employment discrimination.

Section 659A.118 - Reasonable accommodation.

Section 659A.121 - Undue hardship.

Section 659A.122 - Definitions for ORS 659A.124, 659A.127 and 659A.130.

Section 659A.124 - Illegal use of drugs.

Section 659A.127 - Permitted employer action.

Section 659A.130 - Conditions that do not constitute impairment.

Section 659A.133 - Medical examinations and inquiries of job applicants.

Section 659A.136 - Medical examinations and inquiries of employees.

Section 659A.139 - Construction of ORS 659A.103 to 659A.145.

Section 659A.141 - Damages recoverable for harm or theft of assistance animal.

Section 659A.142 - Discrimination against individual with disability by employment agency, labor organization, place of public accommodation or state government prohibited; discrimination in provision of healthcare; mental disorder treatment not evid...

Section 659A.143 - Assistance animals.

Section 659A.144 - Required accommodations in transient lodging; liability; limitations on applicability.

Section 659A.145 - Discrimination against individual with disability in real property transactions prohibited; advertising discriminatory preference prohibited; allowance for reasonable modification; assisting discriminatory practices prohibited.

Section 659A.146 - Reasonable accommodation.

Section 659A.147 - Prohibited conduct; posting requirements; Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries to develop training and education materials; undue hardship exception; remedies.

Section 659A.150 - Definitions for ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186.

Section 659A.153 - Covered employers.

Section 659A.156 - Eligible employees; exceptions; eligibility during public health emergency; restoration of time worked.

Section 659A.159 - Purposes for which family leave may be taken.

Section 659A.162 - Length of leave; conditions; rules.

Section 659A.165 - Notice to employer.

Section 659A.168 - Medical verification and scheduling of treatment; exceptions.

Section 659A.171 - Job protection; benefits.

Section 659A.174 - Use of paid leave.

Section 659A.177 - Special rules for teachers.

Section 659A.183 - Denying family leave to eligible employee prohibited; retaliation prohibited.

Section 659A.186 - Exclusivity of provisions; construction.

Section 659A.190 - Definitions for ORS 659A.190 to 659A.198.

Section 659A.192 - Leave to attend criminal proceeding; undue hardship on employer; scheduling criminal proceeding.

Section 659A.196 - Notice to employer; records confidential.

Section 659A.198 - Use of paid leave.

Section 659A.199 - Prohibited conduct by employer.

Section 659A.200 - Definitions for ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224.

Section 659A.203 - Prohibited conduct by public or nonprofit employer; prohibited conduct by school services employer during public health emergency; remedies.

Section 659A.206 - Effects of ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224 on employees.

Section 659A.209 - Effect on public record disclosures.

Section 659A.210 - Affirmative defense.

Section 659A.212 - Policy on cooperation with law enforcement officials; duty to report person subject to warrant for arrest.

Section 659A.218 - Disclosure of employee’s name without consent prohibited.

Section 659A.219 - Uniform standards and procedures manual for implementation of Whistleblower Law; requirements.

Section 659A.220 - Bureau of Labor and Industries to collect and compile information relating to disclosures; report to legislature.

Section 659A.221 - Uniform application to all public employers; optional procedure for disclosures; rules.

Section 659A.228 - Discrimination for reporting violation of election laws prohibited.

Section 659A.230 - Discrimination for initiating or aiding in criminal or civil proceedings prohibited; remedies not exclusive.

Section 659A.250 - Definitions for ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262.

Section 659A.253 - Restriction of access to employee housing owned or controlled by employer prohibited; telephone accessibility.

Section 659A.256 - Regulations by employers concerning use and occupancy of employee housing; requirements; notice.

Section 659A.259 - Eviction from employee housing or discrimination against employee for reporting violations of ORS 659A.250 to 659A.262 prohibited; enforcement.

Section 659A.262 - Warrant on behalf of person entitled to access to housing; vacation of warrant; rules.

Section 659A.270 - Definitions for ORS 659A.270 to 659A.285.

Section 659A.272 - Employer required to provide leave.

Section 659A.275 - Undue hardship.

Section 659A.280 - Notice to employer; records confidential.

Section 659A.283 - Paid leave for public employees.

Section 659A.285 - Use of paid leave.

Section 659A.290 - Prohibited conduct by employer; records confidential.

Section 659A.300 - Requiring breathalyzer, polygraph, psychological stress or brain-wave test or genetic test prohibited; exceptions.

Section 659A.303 - Employer prohibited from obtaining, seeking to obtain or using genetic information.

Section 659A.306 - Requiring employee to pay for medical examination as condition of continued employment prohibited; exceptions.

Section 659A.309 - Discrimination solely because of employment of another family member prohibited; exceptions.

Section 659A.312 - Leave of absence to donate bone marrow; verification by employer.

Section 659A.315 - Restricting use of tobacco in nonworking hours prohibited; exceptions.

Section 659A.318 - Discrimination relating to academic degree in theology or religious occupations prohibited.

Section 659A.320 - Discrimination based on information in credit history prohibited; exceptions.

Section 659A.330 - Employee social media account privacy; exception.

Section 659A.340 - Interfering with employee’s good faith disclosure of information concerning unlawful conduct or certain violations prohibited; remedy.

Section 659A.343 - Discrimination based on individual’s presentation of identification other than Real ID prohibited; remedies.

Section 659A.347 - Discrimination related to possession of valid driver license.

Section 659A.350 - Interns.

Section 659A.355 - Discrimination based on wage inquiry or wage complaint; exception.

Section 659A.357 - Restricting salary history inquiries.

Section 659A.360 - Restricting criminal conviction inquiries; exceptions.

Section 659A.362 - Enforcement.

Section 659A.370 - Employer prohibited from entering into agreements that prevent employee from discussing certain unlawful conduct; exceptions; remedies.

Section 659A.375 - Employer policies relating to prevention of discrimination and sexual assault; requirements.

Section 659A.400 - Place of public accommodation defined.

Section 659A.403 - Discrimination in place of public accommodation prohibited.

Section 659A.411 - Definitions for ORS 659A.411 to 659A.415.

Section 659A.413 - Denial of access prohibited; exception.

Section 659A.415 - Liability for damages; physical changes not required.

Section 659A.417 - Violation of ORS 659A.413.

Section 659A.421 - Discrimination in selling, renting or leasing real property prohibited.

Section 659A.425 - Violation based on facially neutral housing policy.

Section 659A.550 - Discrimination because of employment status prohibited; penalties.

Section 659A.800 - Elimination and prevention of discrimination by Bureau of Labor and Industries; subpoenas.

Section 659A.805 - Rules for carrying out ORS chapter 659A.

Section 659A.810 - Willful interference with administration of law and violation of orders of commissioner prohibited.

Section 659A.815 - Advisory agencies and intergroup-relations councils.

Section 659A.820 - Complaints.

Section 659A.825 - Complaints filed by Attorney General or commissioner; temporary cease and desist orders in certain cases.

Section 659A.830 - Authority of commissioner.

Section 659A.835 - Investigation; finding of substantial evidence.

Section 659A.840 - Settlement.

Section 659A.845 - Formal charges.

Section 659A.850 - Hearing; orders; fees.

Section 659A.855 - Civil penalty for certain complaints filed by commissioner.

Section 659A.860 - Settlement agreements and orders.

Section 659A.870 - Election of remedies.

Section 659A.875 - Time limitations.

Section 659A.880 - Ninety-day notice.

Section 659A.885 - Civil action.

Section 659A.890 - Civil action for violation of ORS 659A.865.