On June 17, 2015, Oregon Senate Bill 552 was signed into law, making Oregon the 5th state to enact a Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. The law becomes effective January 1, 2016.
The Oregon legislation is very similar to New York's 2010 Domestic Worker Bill of Rights and includes the following provisions.
- All domestic service workers with the exception of independent contractors, senior care companions, and casual babysitters are covered by the law.
- All domestic service workers - nannies, maids, housekeepers - must:
- receive at least 24 consecutive hours of rest each work week.
- after one year of service, workers who average 30 or more hours of work weekly receive 3 paid personal leave days per year.
- Live in domestic service workers are entitled to:
- overtime at the rate of 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for hours worked over 44 in a workweek.
- at least 8 consecutive hours of rest each 24 hour period and adequate conditions for uninterrupted sleep.
- access to the kitchen to cook their own food.
- All domestic service workers are covered by basic human rights protections such as protection from sexual harassment and non-retaliation.
Nannies, housekeepers and other Oregon domestic service workers may file complaints with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries. Additionally the Bureau of Labor and Industries will publish rules regarding meal and rest periods and paid personal leave.
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