Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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      659A.001 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

      (1) “Bureau” means the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

      (2) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

      (3) “Employee” does not include any individual employed by the individual’s parents, spouse or child or in the domestic service of any person.

      (4)(a) “Employer” means any person who in this state, directly or through an agent, engages or uses the personal service of one or more employees, reserving the right to control the means by which such service is or will be performed.

      (b) For the purposes of employee protections described in ORS 659A.350, “employer” means any person who, in this state, is in an employment relationship with an intern as described in ORS 659A.350.

      (5) “Employment agency” includes any person undertaking to procure employees or opportunities to work.

      (6)(a) “Familial status” means the relationship between one or more individuals who have not attained 18 years of age and who are domiciled with:

      (A) A parent or another person having legal custody of the individual; or

      (B) The designee of the parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of the parent or other person.

      (b) “Familial status” includes any individual, regardless of age or domicile, who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.

      (7) “Labor organization” includes any organization which is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining or in dealing with employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employees.

      (8) “National origin” includes ancestry.

      (9) “Person” includes:

      (a) One or more individuals, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, limited liability companies, joint stock companies, corporations, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy or receivers.

      (b) A public body as defined in ORS 30.260.

      (c) For purposes of ORS 659A.145 and 659A.421 and the application of any federal housing law, a fiduciary, mutual company, trust or unincorporated organization.

      (10) “Protective hairstyle” means a hairstyle, hair color or manner of wearing hair that includes, but is not limited to, braids, regardless of whether the braids are created with extensions or styled with adornments, locs and twists.

      (11) “Race” includes physical characteristics that are historically associated with race, including but not limited to natural hair, hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles.

      (12) “Respondent” means any person against whom a complaint or charge of an unlawful practice is filed with the commissioner or whose name has been added to such complaint or charge pursuant to ORS 659A.835.

      (13) “Unlawful employment practice” means a practice specifically denominated as an unlawful employment practice in this chapter. “Unlawful employment practice” includes a practice that is specifically denominated in another statute of this state as an unlawful employment practice and that is specifically made subject to enforcement under this chapter.

      (14) “Unlawful practice” means any unlawful employment practice or any other practice specifically denominated as an unlawful practice in this chapter. “Unlawful practice” includes a practice that is specifically denominated in another statute of this state as an unlawful practice and that is specifically made subject to enforcement under this chapter, or a practice that violates a rule adopted by the commissioner for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. [2001 c.621 §1; 2008 c.36 §4; 2013 c.379 §3; 2021 c.239 §1]

 

PURPOSE AND POLICY

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 28 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 2003–2026 · leading case: McLaughlin v. Wilson, 449 P.3d 492 (Or. 2019).
McLaughlin v. Wilson, 449 P.3d 492 (Or. 2019). · cites it 5× “) The term “person” is one that the legis- lature defines, along with others “[a]s used in * * * chapter” 659A, in ORS 659A.001: “(9) ‘Person’ includes: “(a) One or more individuals, partnerships, associa- tions, labor organizations, limited liability companies, joint stock…”
Hernandez v. Catholic Health Initiatives, 490 P.3d 166 (Or. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 4× “Anyone qual- ifying as a “person” under ORS 659A.001(9) may be an aider or abettor of an unlawful employment practice in a way that subjects them to liability under ORS 659A.”
Burley v. Clackamas Cnty., 446 P.3d 564 (Or. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 3× “Throughout ORS chapter 659A, the legislature routinely has announced when it intends for a particular provision, or set of provisions, to apply to a limited category of those persons and entities that fall within the broad definition of employer in ORS 659A.001. 1 The…”
McManus v. Auchincloss, 353 P.3d 17 (Or. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 8× “230 is subject to the definition of “employee” found in ORS 659A.001(1), 6 which excludes domestic service workers, and we should not consider the legislative history cited by plaintiff because that text is clear.”
McClusky v. City of North Bend, 481 P.3d 431 (Or. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 4× “” Held: ORS 659A.001(4)(a) defines “employer” as one who reserves “the right to control” the means by which an employee performs a service.”
Multnomah Cnty. Sheriff's Off. v. Edwards, 399 P.3d 969 (Or. 2017). “” ORS 659A.001(12). ORS 408.230(6) is just such a statute that specifically denominates violation of the veterans’ preference law as an unlawful practice.”
Harrington v. Airbnb, Inc., 348 F. Supp. 3d 1085 (D. Or. 2018). · cites it 2× “After commencing this lawsuit, Plaintiff Patricia Harrington passed away. Plaintiffs Carlotta Franklin and Ebony Price continue to prosecute this action.”
Dinicola v. State, 382 P.3d 547 (Or. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 3× “The definitions in ORS 659A.001 apply to all of ORS chapter 659A.”
Yeager v. Providence Health Sys. Oregon, 96 P.3d 862 (Or. Ct. App. 2004). “ORS 659A.001(12) defines “unlawful practice” for purposes of OFLA to include “a practice that violates a rule adopted by the commissioner for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.”
H. K. v. Spine Surgery Ctr. of Eugene, 470 P.3d 403 (Or. Ct. App. 2020). “See ORS 659A.001(4)(a) (defining “employer” for purposes of ORS chapter 659 as “any person who in this state, directly or through an agent, engages or uses the personal service of one or more employ- ees, reserving the right to control the means by which such Cite as 305 Or App…”
Allison v. Dolich, 518 P.3d 591 (Or. Ct. App. 2022). “Catholic Health Initiatives, 311 Or App 70, 74 , 490 P3d 166 (2021) (noting the “broad definition” of “any person” and holding that “[a]nyone qualifying as a ‘person’ under ORS 659A.001(9) may be an aider or abettor of an 2 We note, as an aside, that although ORS 63.”
Wiederhold v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 888 F. Supp. 2d 1065 (D. Or. 2012). · cites it 2× “(“ADA”), and Oregon’s corresponding Discrimination Against Disabled Persons in Employment Act, ORS § 659A.001 et seq. (the “Oregon Act”).”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(1) — 1 case
McManus v. Auchincloss, 353 P.3d 17 (Or. Ct. App. 2015). “230 is subject to the definition of “employee” found in ORS 659A.001(1), 6 which excludes domestic service workers, and we should not consider the legislative history cited by plaintiff because that text is clear.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(12) — 6 cases
Multnomah Cnty. Sheriff's Off. v. Edwards, 399 P.3d 969 (Or. 2017). “” ORS 659A.001(12). ORS 408.230(6) is just such a statute that specifically denominates violation of the veterans’ preference law as an unlawful practice.”
Yeager v. Providence Health Sys. Oregon, 96 P.3d 862 (Or. Ct. App. 2004). “ORS 659A.001(12) defines “unlawful practice” for purposes of OFLA to include “a practice that violates a rule adopted by the commissioner for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.”
Johnson v. Or. Bureau of Labor & Indus., 415 P.3d 1071 (Or. Ct. App. 2018).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(14) — 2 cases
Cuddigan-Placito v. SAIF, 335 Or. App. 663 (Or. Ct. App. 2024).
Cuddigan-Placito v. SAIF, 335 Or. App. 663 (Or. Ct. App. 2024).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(3) — 1 case
McManus v. Auchincloss, 353 P.3d 17 (Or. Ct. App. 2015). “230 is subject to the definition of “employee” found in ORS 659A.001(1), 6 which excludes domestic service workers, and we should not consider the legislative history cited by plaintiff because that text is clear.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(4) — 2 cases
Duke v. F.M.K. Constr. Servs., Inc., 739 F. Supp. 2d 1296 (D. Or. 2010).
Ivie (D. Or. 2026).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(4)(a) — 5 cases
McClusky v. City of North Bend, 481 P.3d 431 (Or. Ct. App. 2020). “” Held: ORS 659A.001(4)(a) defines “employer” as one who reserves “the right to control” the means by which an employee performs a service.”
Burley v. Clackamas Cnty., 446 P.3d 564 (Or. Ct. App. 2019). “Throughout ORS chapter 659A, the legislature routinely has announced when it intends for a particular provision, or set of provisions, to apply to a limited category of those persons and entities that fall within the broad definition of employer in ORS 659A.001. 1 The…”
H. K. v. Spine Surgery Ctr. of Eugene, 470 P.3d 403 (Or. Ct. App. 2020). “See ORS 659A.001(4)(a) (defining “employer” for purposes of ORS chapter 659 as “any person who in this state, directly or through an agent, engages or uses the personal service of one or more employ- ees, reserving the right to control the means by which such Cite as 305 Or App…”
Dinicola v. State, 382 P.3d 547 (Or. Ct. App. 2016). “The definitions in ORS 659A.001 apply to all of ORS chapter 659A.”
McClusky v. City of North Bend (Or. Ct. App. 2024).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(5) — 1 case
Sharr v. Dep't of Transp., 247 F. Supp. 2d 1208 (D. Or. 2003).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(9) — 7 cases
Hernandez v. Catholic Health Initiatives, 490 P.3d 166 (Or. Ct. App. 2021). “Anyone qual- ifying as a “person” under ORS 659A.001(9) may be an aider or abettor of an unlawful employment practice in a way that subjects them to liability under ORS 659A.”
McLaughlin v. Wilson, 449 P.3d 492 (Or. 2019). “) The term “person” is one that the legis- lature defines, along with others “[a]s used in * * * chapter” 659A, in ORS 659A.001: “(9) ‘Person’ includes: “(a) One or more individuals, partnerships, associa- tions, labor organizations, limited liability companies, joint stock…”
Harrington v. Airbnb, Inc., 348 F. Supp. 3d 1085 (D. Or. 2018). “After commencing this lawsuit, Plaintiff Patricia Harrington passed away. Plaintiffs Carlotta Franklin and Ebony Price continue to prosecute this action.”
Allison v. Dolich, 518 P.3d 591 (Or. Ct. App. 2022). “Catholic Health Initiatives, 311 Or App 70, 74 , 490 P3d 166 (2021) (noting the “broad definition” of “any person” and holding that “[a]nyone qualifying as a ‘person’ under ORS 659A.001(9) may be an aider or abettor of an 2 We note, as an aside, that although ORS 63.”
Charlton v. Ed Staub & Sons Petroleum, Inc., 494 P.3d 977 (Or. Ct. App. 2021).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(9)(a) — 4 cases
McLaughlin v. Wilson, 449 P.3d 492 (Or. 2019). “) The term “person” is one that the legis- lature defines, along with others “[a]s used in * * * chapter” 659A, in ORS 659A.001: “(9) ‘Person’ includes: “(a) One or more individuals, partnerships, associa- tions, labor organizations, limited liability companies, joint stock…”
Hernandez v. Catholic Health Initiatives, 490 P.3d 166 (Or. Ct. App. 2021). “Anyone qual- ifying as a “person” under ORS 659A.001(9) may be an aider or abettor of an unlawful employment practice in a way that subjects them to liability under ORS 659A.”
McLaughlin v. Wilson, 423 P.3d 133 (Or. Ct. App. 2018).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 659A.001(9)(b) — 1 case
Burley v. Clackamas Cnty., 446 P.3d 564 (Or. Ct. App. 2019). “Throughout ORS chapter 659A, the legislature routinely has announced when it intends for a particular provision, or set of provisions, to apply to a limited category of those persons and entities that fall within the broad definition of employer in ORS 659A.001. 1 The…”
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