ORS 659A.320 Discrimination based on information in credit history prohibited; exceptions; remedies for violation

Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to obtain or use for employment purposes information contained in the credit history of an applicant for employment or an employee, or to refuse to hire, discharge, demote, suspend, retaliate or otherwise discriminate against an applicant or an employee with regard to promotion, compensation or the terms, conditions or privileges of employment based on information in the credit history of the applicant or employee.

Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to:

Employers that are federally insured banks or credit unions;

Employers that are required by state or federal law to use individual credit history for employment purposes;

The application for employment or the employment of a public safety officer who will be or who is:

A member of a law enforcement unit;

Employed as a peace officer commissioned by a city, port, school district, mass transit district, county, university under ORS 352.121 or 353.125, Indian reservation, the Superintendent of State Police under ORS 181A.340, the Criminal Justice Division of the Department of Justice, the Oregon State Lottery Commission or the Governor or employed as a regulatory specialist by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission; and

Responsible for enforcing the criminal laws of this state or laws or ordinances related to airport security; or

The obtainment or use by an employer of information in the credit history of an applicant or employee because the information is substantially job-related and the employer’s reasons for the use of such information are disclosed to the employee or prospective employee in writing.

An employee or an applicant for employment may file a complaint under ORS 659A.820 for violations of this section and may bring a civil action under ORS 659A.885 and recover the relief as provided by ORS 659A.885 (1) and (2).

As used in this section, “credit history” means any written or other communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency that bears on a consumer’s creditworthiness, credit standing or credit capacity.