The Oregon legislature’s 2026 session adjourned on March 6, 2026. Several labor and employment law–related bills were proposed, and a handful of measures were enacted. Below is a summary of the key laws that Oregon employers should be aware of.

Quick Hits

• Oregon enacted HB 4089, which expands criminal penalties for wage theft offenses and increases penalties for hiring unlicensed construction labor contractors or misusing contractor license numbers, with violations ranging from Class A misdemeanors to Class C felonies.
• Several measures (HB 4111, HB 4079, and SB 1570) strengthen protections related to immigration status—restricting its use in civil lawsuits, prohibiting employer retaliation for updating work authorization, requiring schools and healthcare facilities to notify individuals of immigration enforcement activities, and limiting voluntary disclosure of immigration information.
• Oregon enacted laws related to labor standards for minors (HB 4013) and companionship services employee exemptions (SB 1518), as well as a new employer/employee tax to fund the Bureau of Labor and Industries (HB 4027).
• Employers may want to review their policies and practices to ensure compliance with these new laws before they take effect.

Criminal Penalties on Wage Claims (HB 4089)

On March 31, 2026, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill (HB) 4089 into law. HB 4089 modifies the crime of “theft of services” to include partial payments and clarifies that criminal prosecution for...

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