Chapter 652 — Hours; Wages; Wage Claims; Records

2011 EDITION

HOURS; WAGES; WAGE CLAIMS; RECORDS

LABOR, EMPLOYMENT; UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

HOURS OF LABOR

652.010 Declaration of public policy concerning maximum working hours in certain industries

652.020 Maximum working hours in certain industries; overtime hours and pay; exemptions

652.030 Enforcement of ORS 652.010 and 652.020 dependent upon like laws in other states

652.040 Maximum working hours in mines

652.050 Definitions for ORS 652.050 to 652.080

652.060 Maximum working hours for firefighters

652.070 Overtime pay for firefighters

652.080 Computing hours on duty for purposes of ORS 652.060 and 652.070

PAYMENT AND COLLECTION OF WAGES GENERALLY

652.110 Method of paying employees; agreement on method of payment; revocation of agreement

652.120 Establishing regular payday; pay intervals; agreement to pay wages at future date

652.125 Bond required when failure to make timely wage payment occurs; court to enjoin business of employer failing to provide bond

652.130 Payment of wages due persons employed on piece work scale or quantity basis in forest product industries; furnishing statement of scale or quantity produced

652.140 Payment of wages on termination of employment; exception for collective bargaining

652.145 Payment of wages for seasonal farmworkers

652.150 Penalty wage for failure to pay wages on termination of employment

652.160 Payment in case of dispute over wages

652.165 Rules for wage collection and payment

652.170 Payment of wages in case of strikes

652.190 Payment of wages to surviving spouse or dependent children

652.195 Liability for dishonored check for payment of wages; penalties

652.200 Attorney fee in action for wages

652.210 Definitions for ORS 652.210 to 652.230

652.220 Prohibition of discriminatory wage rates based on sex; employer not to discriminate against employee who is complainant

652.230 Employee right of action against employer for unpaid wages and damages

652.240 Paying wage lower than that required by statute or contract prohibited

652.250 Public employee’s wages as affected by absence to engage in search or rescue operation

652.260 Payment to nurses providing home health or hospice services; rules

ENFORCEMENT OF WAGE CLAIMS

(Generally)

652.310 Definitions of employer and employee

652.320 Definitions for ORS 652.310 to 652.414

652.330 Powers and duties of commissioner in enforcing wage claims; parties to wage claim action

652.332 Administrative proceeding for wage claim collection; court enforcement and review; rules

652.335 Liability of liquor dispenser licensee for wage claims of certain individuals

652.340 Requiring bond of employer

652.355 Prohibition of discrimination because of wage claim; remedy

652.360 Contract exempting employer from liability or penalty not valid; exceptions

652.370 Jurisdiction of courts; proceedings in name of state

652.380 Remedies cumulative; effect of payment or tender by employer after proceeding commenced

652.390 Deduction of costs from wage claims; collection fees; assignment of wage claims

652.400 Deposit of moneys in Wage Collection Account; payment to persons entitled thereto

652.405 Disposition of wages collected by commissioner when payment cannot be made to person entitled thereto

(Wage Security Fund)

652.409 Wage Security Fund; use

652.414 Procedure for payment from fund; lien against personal property of employer; penalties; rules

(Reciprocal Enforcement of Wage Claims)

652.420 Definitions for ORS 652.420 to 652.445

652.425 Authority of commissioner to enter into agreements with other states for reciprocal enforcement of wage claims

652.430 Assigning wage claim to labor bureau of another state

652.435 Accepting assignments of wage claims from labor bureau of another state

652.440 Retention by commissioner or labor bureau of percentage of funds collected

652.445 Deposit of moneys in Wage Collection Account

PRIORITY OF WAGE CLAIMS

652.500 Receiver to pay accrued wages; payment of employees; receiver’s certificates

652.510 Payment of wage claims by receivers, assignees or court; filing statement of wages due

652.520 Form of statement of wage claim

652.530 Serving copy of statement; report to court; order of payment

652.540 Exception to claim; legal action on claim

652.550 Payment of claims prerequisite to discharge of attachment or execution, assignee or receiver, or to abandonment of seizure or sale

652.560 Costs and attorney fees

652.570 Priority of wage claims over transfers in payment of preexisting obligations; payment and subrogation of transferee

STATEMENTS RELATING TO EMPLOYEE’S SALARY AND DEDUCTIONS THEREFROM

(Generally)

652.610 Itemized statement of amounts and purposes of deductions; timely payment to recipient of amounts deducted

652.615 Remedy for violation of ORS 652.610

652.620 Statement of yearly compensation on request of employee

(Agricultural Workers)

652.630 Definitions for ORS 652.630 to 652.640

652.635 Producers to post certain terms of employment

652.640 Itemized statement of compensation and deductions required

FEES OR DEDUCTIONS FOR MEDICAL CARE

652.710 Fees collected by employer for medical care contracts are trust funds; priority on liquidation; civil penalty; rules

652.720 Prohibited use by employer of fees for medical care contracts withheld from employee wages

PERSONNEL RECORDS

652.750 Inspection of records by employee; furnishing copy to employee; disposition of record on termination of employment; charge for copies; public safety officer records

PENALTIES

652.900 Civil penalties

652.990 Criminal penalties

HOURS OF LABOR

652.010 Declaration of public policy concerning maximum working hours in certain industries. (1) It is the public policy of this state that no person shall be hired, nor permitted to work for wages, under any conditions or terms, for longer hours or days of service than is consistent with the person’s health and physical well-being and ability to promote the general welfare by the person’s increasing usefulness as a healthy and intelligent citizen.

(2) It hereby is declared that the working of any person more than 10 hours in one day in any mill, factory or manufacturing establishment or the working of any person more than eight hours, exclusive of one hour, more or less, in one day, or more than 48 hours in one calendar week in sawmills, planing mills, shingle mills and logging camps is injurious to the physical health and well-being of such person, and tends to prevent the person from acquiring that degree of intelligence that is necessary to make the person a useful and desirable citizen of the state.

652.020 Maximum working hours in certain industries; overtime hours and pay; exemptions. (1) No person shall be employed in any mill, factory or manufacturing establishment in this state more than 10 hours in any one day, or in sawmills, planing mills, shingle mills and logging camps more than eight hours, exclusive of one hour, more or less, in one day or more than 48 hours in one calendar week, except logging train crews, guards, boiler operators and persons engaged in the transportation to and from work, and employees when engaged in making necessary repairs, or in the case of emergency where life and property are in imminent danger. However, employees may work overtime not to exceed three hours in one day, conditioned that payment be made for said overtime at the rate of time and one-half the regular wage.

(2) No employer shall require or permit any person to work in any place mentioned in this section more than the hours provided for in this section during any day of 24 hours. No employer shall permit or suffer an overseer, superintendent or other agent of the employer to violate this section.

(3) This section does not apply to persons employed in the care of quarters or livestock, conducting messhalls, superintendence and direction of work, or to the loading and removal of the finished forest product.

(4) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not apply to employees who are represented by a labor organization for purposes of collective bargaining with their employer, provided limits on the required hours of work and overtime payment have been agreed to between the employer and labor organization, or if no agreement is reached, then, for the purposes of this subsection, such limits and payments shall not be deemed to be changed from the previous collective bargaining agreement between the employer and labor organization unless the employees have been locked out, are engaged in a strike or the employer has unilaterally implemented new terms and conditions of employment. [Amended by 1989 c.852 §1; 1991 c.67 §157; 1999 c.59 §190; 2011 c.348 §1]

652.030 Enforcement of ORS 652.010 and 652.020 dependent upon like laws in other states. ORS 652.010 and 652.020 shall not be enforced insofar as they relate to working hours in sawmills, planing mills, shingle mills and logging camps until laws containing like provisions regarding working hours in such places of employment in the States of California, Washington and Idaho become effective in each of those states respectively.

652.040 Maximum working hours in mines. (1) No person who operates any underground mine yielding gold or silver or copper or lead or other metal shall permit or require any person to work in such underground mine for more than eight hours in any 24 hours. The hours for such employment or work day shall be consecutive excluding, however, any intermission of time for lunch or meals.

(2) In the case of emergency, where life or property is in imminent danger, persons may work in such underground mines for a longer time during the continuance of the exigency or emergency. This section does not apply to mines in their first stages of development, such as tunnel work to a length of 200 feet, or shaft work to a depth of 150 feet, or to any surface excavation.

652.050 Definitions for ORS 652.050 to 652.080. As used in ORS 652.050 to 652.080:

(1) “Firefighter” means a person whose principal duties consist of preventing or combating fire or preventing loss of life or property from fire.

(2) “Regularly organized fire department” means any organization maintained for the purpose of preventing or combating fire and employing one or more persons on a full-time basis as firefighters.

(3) “Volunteer firefighter” means a person who performs services as a firefighter for a regularly organized fire department and whose work hours and work shifts are voluntary and whose volunteer service is not a condition of employment. [Amended by 1983 c.319 §1]

652.060 Maximum working hours for firefighters. (1)(a) No person employed on a full-time basis as a firefighter by any regularly organized fire department maintained by any incorporated city, municipality or fire district and that employs not more than three persons on a full-time basis as firefighters shall be required to be on regular duty with such fire department more than 72 hours a week. However, any affected incorporated city, municipality or fire district shall be deemed to have complied with this paragraph and ORS 652.070 if the hours of regular duty required of firefighters employed by it average not more than 72 hours a week over each quarter of the fiscal year of the employing city, municipality or fire district.

(b) No person employed on a full-time basis as a firefighter by any regularly organized fire department maintained by any incorporated city, municipality or fire district and that employs four or more persons on a full-time basis as firefighters shall be required to be on regular duty with such fire department more than 56 hours a week. However, any affected incorporated city, municipality or fire district shall be deemed to have complied with this paragraph and ORS 652.070 if the hours of regular duty required of firefighters employed by it average not more than 56 hours a week over each quarter of the fiscal year of the employing city, municipality or fire district.

(2) In the event this section shortens the working hours of firefighters employed by any such city, municipality or fire district, the total wages of such firefighters shall not for that reason be reduced. [Amended by 1959 c.402 §1; 1969 c.581 §1]

652.070 Overtime pay for firefighters. (1) Every affected incorporated city, municipality and fire district shall put into effect and maintain a schedule of working hours required of regularly employed firefighters which shall not be in excess of the average hours established by ORS 652.060, and which shall provide for at least 48 consecutive hours off-duty time in each seven-day period. Any affected incorporated city, municipality or fire district failing so to do shall pay to every regularly employed firefighter as additional pay for every hour of regular duty required of and performed by the firefighter over and above the average hours established by ORS 652.060 a sum equivalent to one and one-half times the regular hourly rate of pay at the time of such default. However, in the case of replacement for any authorized leave, vacation or temporary vacancy, regularly employed firefighters in a department employing four or more persons on a full-time basis as firefighters may elect to work in excess of 56 hours a week at not less than their regular hourly rate of pay.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section requires payment of one and one-half times the hourly rate of pay to a volunteer firefighter for hours of duty performed in excess of the average hours established by ORS 652.060. [Amended by 1959 c.402 §2; 1969 c.581 §2; 1983 c.319 §2]

652.080 Computing hours on duty for purposes of ORS 652.060 and 652.070. In computing the average or total number of hours a week for the purposes of ORS 652.060 and 652.070, authorized vacation or sick leave time shall be considered as time on regular duty. [1959 c.402 §4]

PAYMENT AND COLLECTION OF WAGES GENERALLY

652.110 Method of paying employees; agreement on method of payment; revocation of agreement. (1) A person engaged in any business or enterprise of any kind in this state may not issue, in payment of or as evidence of indebtedness for wages due an employee, any order, check, memorandum or other instrument of indebtedness unless the instrument is negotiable and payable without discount in cash on demand at some bank or other established place of business in the county where the employee lives or works and where a sufficient amount of funds have been provided and are or will be available for the payment of the instrument when due. The person shall, upon presentation and demand, pay the instrument in lawful money of the United States.

(2) This section does not in any way limit or interfere with the right of any employee to accept from any person, as an evidence or acknowledgment of indebtedness for wages due the employee, a negotiable instrument, payable at some future date with interest.

(3) An employer and an employee may agree to authorize the employer to deposit without discount wages due the employee in the employee’s account in a financial institution, as defined in ORS 706.008, in this state.

(4) An employer and an employee may agree that the employer may pay wages through a direct deposit system, automated teller machine card, payroll card or other means of electronic transfer if the employee may:

(a) Make an initial withdrawal of the entire amount of net pay without cost to the employee; or

(b) Choose to use another means of payment of wages that involves no cost to the employee.

(5) An agreement described in subsection (4) of this section must be made in the language that the employer principally uses to communicate with the employee.

(6)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, to revoke an agreement described in subsection (4) of this section, an employee shall give the employer a written notice of revocation of the agreement. Unless the employer and employee agree otherwise, the agreement is revoked 30 days after the date the notice is received by the employer.

(b) To revoke an agreement described in subsection (4) of this section, an employee who works for an employer as a seasonal farmworker as defined in ORS 652.145 or an employee who is employed in packing, canning, freezing or drying any variety of agricultural crops shall give the employer notice of revocation of the agreement either orally or in writing. Unless the employer and the employee agree otherwise, the agreement is revoked 10 days after the date the notice is received by the employer. [Amended by 1975 c.191 §1; 1999 c.59 §191; 2007 c.546 §1]

652.120 Establishing regular payday; pay intervals; agreement to pay wages at future date. (1) Every employer shall establish and maintain a regular payday, at which date the employer shall pay all employees the wages due and owing to them.

(2) Payday may not extend beyond a period of 35 days from the time that the employees entered upon their work, or from the date of the last regular payday.

(3) This section does not prevent the employer from establishing and maintaining paydays at more frequent intervals.

(4) This section does not prevent any employer from entering into a written agreement, prior to the rendering of any services, and mutually satisfactory with the employer’s employees, as to the payment of wages at a future date.

(5) When an employer has notice that an employee has not been paid the full amount the employee is owed on a regular payday and there is no dispute between the employer and the employee regarding the amount of the unpaid wages:

(a) If the unpaid amount is less than five percent of the employee’s gross wages due on the regular payday, the employer shall pay the employee the unpaid amount no later than the next regular payday; or

(b) If the unpaid amount is five percent or more of the employee’s gross wages due on the regular payday, the employer shall pay the employee the unpaid amount within three days after the employer has notice of the unpaid amount, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. [Amended by 1961 c.662 §1; 2007 c.453 §1]

652.125 Bond required when failure to make timely wage payment occurs; court to enjoin business of employer failing to provide bond. (1) If, upon complaint by an employee, and after investigation, it appears to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries that an employer is failing to pay wages within five days of a payday scheduled by the employer, the commissioner may require the employer to give a bond in such amount as the commissioner determines necessary, with sufficient surety, to assure timely payment of wages due employees for such future period as the commissioner considers appropriate. In lieu of a bond, the commissioner may accept a letter of credit from an issuer approved by the commissioner, upon such terms and conditions and for such amount as the commissioner determines necessary to assure timely payment of wages for such future period as the commissioner determines appropriate.

(2) If, within 10 days after demand for such bond, the employer fails to provide the same, the commissioner may commence court action against the employer in the circuit court of appropriate jurisdiction to compel the employer to furnish such bond or cease doing business until the employer has done so. The employer shall have the burden of proving the amount thereof to be excessive.

(3) If the court finds that there is just cause for requiring such bond and that the same is reasonably necessary or appropriate to secure the prompt payment of the wages of the employees of such employer, the court shall enjoin such employer from doing business in this state until the requirement is met, or shall make other, and may make further, orders appropriate to compel compliance with the requirement. [1989 c.651 §3]

Note: 652.125 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 652 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

652.130 Payment of wages due persons employed on piece work scale or quantity basis in forest product industries; furnishing statement of scale or quantity produced. Every person engaged in the business of logging or obtaining or securing sawlogs, poles, spars, piles, cordwood, posts or other timber or forest products, or engaged in the business of manufacturing sawlogs or other timber into lumber, and employing one or more employees on a piece work scale or quantity wage basis, shall furnish such employees at least once monthly, a statement of scale or quantity produced by them to their credit, and shall pay all wages or amounts so earned and due and payable under the law regulating paydays.

652.140 Payment of wages on termination of employment; exception for collective bargaining. (1) When an employer discharges an employee or when employment is terminated by mutual agreement, all wages earned and unpaid at the time of the discharge or termination become due and payable not later than the end of the first business day after the discharge or termination.

(2)(a) When an employee who does not have a contract for a definite period quits employment, all wages earned and unpaid at the time of quitting become due and payable immediately if the employee has given to the employer not less than 48 hours’ notice, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, of intention to quit employment.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection, if the employee has not given to the employer the notice described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the wages become due and payable within five days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the employee has quit, or at the next regularly scheduled payday after the employee has quit, whichever event first occurs.

(c) If the employee has not given to the employer the notice described in paragraph (a) of this subsection and if the employee is regularly required to submit time records to the employer to enable the employer to determine the wages due the employee, within five days after the employee has quit the employer shall pay the employee the wages the employer estimates are due and payable. Within five days after the employee has submitted the time records, all wages earned and unpaid become due and payable.

(3) For the purpose of this section, if employment termination occurs on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, all wages earned and unpaid shall be paid no later than the end of the first business day after the employment termination, except that if the employment is related to activities authorized under ORS chapter 565, all wages earned and unpaid shall be paid no later than the end of the second business day after the employment termination.

(4) The employer shall forward such wages by mail to any address designated by the employee if the employee requests the employer so to do. An employer may deposit such wages without discount in the employee’s account in a financial institution, as defined in ORS 706.008, in this state, provided the employee and the employer have agreed to such deposit.

(5) This section does not apply to employment for which a collective bargaining agreement otherwise provides for the payment of wages upon termination of employment.

(6) When a termination of employment results from the sale of a business or business property and the purchaser employs or continues the employment of an individual employed at the business, this section does not apply to the payment to such an individual of wages for earned but unused accrued holiday leave, sick leave, vacation leave or other leave benefits payable upon termination of employment pursuant to a collective bargaining or other employment agreement or employer policy, if the following conditions are met:

(a) On the first day of such an individual’s continued employment the purchaser of the business credits the individual with all such earned but unused accrued leave; and

(b) The leave, when used, is paid at a rate not less than the rate at which the leave was earned or, if paid at a lesser rate, the number of hours credited is increased to compensate the individual for any difference. [Amended by 1957 c.242 §1; 1975 c.192 §1; 1991 c.966 §1; 1995 c.753 §1; 1997 c.233 §1; 1999 c.59 §192; 2005 c.664 §1]

652.145 Payment of wages for seasonal farmworkers. Notwithstanding ORS 652.140, if an employee has worked for an employer as a seasonal farmworker, whenever the employment terminates, all wages earned and unpaid become due and payable immediately. However, if the employee quits without giving the employer at least 48 hours’ notice, wages earned and unpaid are due and payable within 48 hours after the employee has quit, or at the next regularly scheduled payday after the employee has quit, whichever event first occurs. As used in this section, “seasonal farmworker” means an individual who, for an agreed remuneration or rate of pay, performs temporary labor for another in the production of farm products or in the planting, cultivating or harvesting of seasonal agricultural crops or in the forestation or reforestation of lands including, but not limited to, the planting, transplanting, tubing, precommercial thinning and thinning of trees and seedlings, the clearing, piling and disposal of brush and slash and other related activities. [1991 c.966 §4; 2001 c.613 §17]

652.150 Penalty wage for failure to pay wages on termination of employment. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, if an employer willfully fails to pay any wages or compensation of any employee whose employment ceases, as provided in ORS 652.140 and 652.145, then, as a penalty for the nonpayment, the wages or compensation of the employee shall continue from the due date thereof at the same hourly rate for eight hours per day until paid or until action therefor is commenced. However:

(a) In no case shall the penalty wages or compensation continue for more than 30 days from the due date; and

(b) A penalty may not be assessed under this section when an employer pays an employee the wages the employer estimates are due and payable under ORS 652.140 (2)(c) and the estimated amount of wages paid is less than the actual amount of earned and unpaid wages, as long as the employer pays the employee all wages earned and unpaid within five days after the employee submits the time records.

(2)(a) If the employee or a person on behalf of the employee submits a written notice of nonpayment, the penalty may not exceed 100 percent of the employee’s unpaid wages or compensation unless the employer fails to pay the full amount of the employee’s unpaid wages or compensation within 12 days after receiving the notice.

(b) If the employee or a person on behalf of the employee fails to submit a written notice of nonpayment, the penalty may not exceed 100 percent of the employee’s unpaid wages or compensation.

(c) A written notice of nonpayment must include the estimated amount of wages or compensation alleged to be owed or an allegation of facts sufficient to estimate the amount owed. Submission of a written notice of nonpayment that fails to include the estimated amount of wages or compensation alleged to be owed or an allegation of facts sufficient to estimate the amount owed does not satisfy the requirement for written notice under this subsection unless the employer has violated ORS 652.610, 652.640 or 653.045.

(d) For purposes of determining when an employer has paid wages or compensation under this subsection, payment occurs on the date the employer delivers the payment to the employee or sends the payment by first class mail, express mail or courier service.

(3)(a) For purposes of this section, a commission owed to an employee by a business that primarily sells motor vehicles or farm implements is not due until all of the terms and conditions of an agreement between the employer and employee concerning the method of payment of commissions are fulfilled. If no such agreement exists, the commission is due with all other earned and unpaid wages or compensation as provided in ORS 652.140.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, when there is a dispute between an employer and an employee concerning the amount of commission due under paragraph (a) of this subsection, if the amount of unpaid commission is found to be less than 20 percent of the amount of unpaid commission claimed by the employee, the penalty may not exceed the amount of the unpaid commission or $200, whichever is greater.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3)(b) of this section do not apply when:

(a) The employer has violated ORS 652.140 or 652.145 one or more times in the year before the employee’s employment ceased; or

(b) The employer terminated one or more other employees on the same date that the employee’s employment ceased.

(5) The employer may avoid liability for the penalty described in this section by showing financial inability to pay the wages or compensation at the time the wages or compensation accrued. [Amended by 1957 c.244 §1; 1991 c.966 §2; 1995 c.501 §1; 2001 c.690 §1; 2003 c.779 §1; 2005 c.664 §2; 2011 c.348 §2]

652.160 Payment in case of dispute over wages. In case of dispute over wages, the employer must pay, without condition, and within the time set by ORS 652.140, all wages conceded by the employer to be due, leaving the employee all remedies the employee might otherwise have or be entitled to as to any balance the employee might claim.

652.165 Rules for wage collection and payment. In accordance with any applicable provision of ORS chapter 183, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt rules to carry out the provisions of ORS 652.140 to 652.160. [1995 c.501 §3]

652.170 Payment of wages in case of strikes. When any number of employees enter upon a strike, the wages due such striking employees at the time of entering upon such strike shall not become due and payable until the next regular payday after the commencement of such strike, if the time between the commencement of the strike and the next regular payday does not exceed a period of 30 days. If the intervening time does exceed the period of 30 days, then the wages shall be due and payable 30 days after the commencement of the strike.

652.180 [Repealed by 1953 c.515 §2]

652.190 Payment of wages to surviving spouse or dependent children. All wages earned by an employee, not exceeding $10,000, shall, upon the employee’s death, become due and payable to the employee’s surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, the dependent children, or their guardians or the conservators of their estates, in equal shares, to the same extent as if the wages had been earned by such surviving spouse or dependent children. As used in this section, “wages” means compensation of employees based on time worked or output of production and includes every form of remuneration payable for a given period to an individual for personal services. [Amended by 1971 c.448 §1; 1981 c.594 §1; 1997 c.52 §1]

652.195 Liability for dishonored check for payment of wages; penalties. (1) An employer that issues to an employee a dishonored check for payment of wages due is liable to the employee for the remedies provided in ORS 30.701.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may assess a civil penalty in an amount equal to the statutory damages provided by ORS 30.701 against an employer that issues a dishonored check to an employee for payment of wages due.

(3) The commissioner may not assess a civil penalty under this section against an employer that has issued a dishonored check for payment of wages due to an employee if the employee has commenced an action under ORS 30.701 against the employer for the same dishonored check.

(4) If the commissioner has assessed a civil penalty under subsection (2) of this section, an employee may not bring an action under ORS 30.701 against the employer for the same dishonored check.

(5) All sums collected as penalties under this section shall be paid to the employee to whom the employer issued the dishonored check. [2011 c.238 §2]

652.200 Attorney fee in action for wages. (1) In any action for the collection of any order, check, memorandum or other instrument of indebtedness referred to in ORS 652.110, if it is shown that the order, check, memorandum or other instrument of indebtedness was not paid for a period of 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after presentation and demand for the payment thereof, the court shall, upon entering judgment for the plaintiff, include in the judgment, in addition to the costs and disbursements otherwise prescribed by statute, a reasonable sum for attorney fees at trial and on appeal for prosecuting the action, unless it appears that the employee has willfully violated the contract of employment.

(2) In any action for the collection of wages, if it is shown that the wages were not paid for a period of 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the wages became due and payable, the court shall, upon entering judgment for the plaintiff, include in the judgment, in addition to the costs and disbursements otherwise prescribed by statute, a reasonable sum for attorney fees at trial and on appeal for prosecuting the action, unless it appears that the employee has willfully violated the contract of employment or unless the court finds that the plaintiff’s attorney unreasonably failed to give written notice of the wage claim to the employer before filing the action. [Amended by 1957 c.242 §2; 1981 c.897 §86; 2001 c.279 §1; 2007 c.546 §2]

652.210 Definitions for ORS 652.210 to 652.230. As used in ORS 652.210 to 652.230, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Employee” means any individual who, otherwise than as a copartner of the employer, as an independent contractor or as a participant in a work training program administered under the state or federal assistance laws, renders personal services wholly or partly in this state to an employer who pays or agrees to pay such individual at a fixed rate. However, when services are rendered only partly in this state, an individual is not an employee unless the contract of employment of the employee has been entered into, or payments thereunder are ordinarily made or to be made, within this state.

(2) “Employer” means any person employing one or more employees, including the State of Oregon or any political subdivision thereof or any county, city, district, authority, public corporation or entity and any of their instrumentalities organized and existing under law or charter. “Employer” does not include the federal government.

(3) “Rate” with reference to wages means the basis of compensation for services by an employee for an employer and includes compensation based on the time spent in the performance of the services, on the number of operations accomplished or on the quantity produced or handled.

(4) “Unpaid wages” means the difference between the wages actually paid to an employee and the wages required under ORS 652.220 to be paid to the employee.

(5) “Wages” means all compensation for performance of service by an employee for an employer, whether paid by the employer or another person, including cash value of all compensation paid in any medium other than cash. [1955 c.193 §1; 1985 c.100 §1; 1987 c.158 §124; 1993 c.739 §25; 2005 c.22 §457]

652.220 Prohibition of discriminatory wage rates based on sex; employer not to discriminate against employee who is complainant. (1) No employer shall:

(a) In any manner discriminate between the sexes in the payment of wages for work of comparable character, the performance of which requires comparable skills.

(b) Pay wages to any employee at a rate less than that at which the employer pays wages to employees of the opposite sex for work of comparable character, the performance of which requires comparable skills.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply where:

(a) Payment is made pursuant to a seniority or merit system which does not discriminate on the basis of sex.

(b) A differential in wages between employees is based in good faith on factors other than sex.

(3) No employer shall in any manner discriminate in the payment of wages against any employee because the employee has filed a complaint in a proceeding under ORS 652.210 to 652.230, or has testified, or is about to testify, or because the employer believes that the employee may testify, in any investigation or proceedings pursuant to ORS 652.210 to 652.230 or in a criminal action pursuant to ORS 652.210 to 652.230. [1955 c.193 §2]

652.230 Employee right of action against employer for unpaid wages and damages. (1) Any employee whose compensation is at a rate that is in violation of ORS 652.220 shall have a right of action against the employer for the recovery of:

(a) The amount of the unpaid wages to which the employee is entitled for the one year period preceding the commencement of the action; and

(b) An additional amount as liquidated damages equal to the amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(2) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing plaintiff in an action under this section. The court may award reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees incurred by a defendant who prevails in the action if the court determines that the plaintiff had no objectively reasonable basis for asserting a claim or no objectively reasonable basis for appealing an adverse decision of a trial court.

(3) The action for the unpaid wages and liquidated damages may be maintained by one or more employees on behalf of themselves or other employees similarly situated.

(4) No agreement for compensation at a rate less than the rate to which such employee is entitled under ORS 652.210 to 652.230 is a defense to any action under ORS 652.210 to 652.230. [1955 c.193 §3; 1981 c.894 §87; 1995 c.618 §110]

652.240 Paying wage lower than that required by statute or contract prohibited. Where any statute or contract requires an employer to maintain the designated wage scale, it shall be unlawful to secretly pay a lower wage while purporting to pay the wage designated by statute or by contract. [1957 c.243 §1]

652.250 Public employee’s wages as affected by absence to engage in search or rescue operation. A public employee who takes part without pay in a search or rescue operation at the request of any law enforcement agency, the Department of Transportation, the United States Forest Service or any local organization for civil defense, shall not forfeit wages while engaged in an operation for a period of not more than five days for each operation. If an operation continues for more than five days, the employing agency may allow the employee to continue to take part in the operation and to receive wages for as long as the employing agency considers proper. [1959 c.46 §1]

652.260 Payment to nurses providing home health or hospice services; rules. (1) A home health agency providing home health services may not compensate a nurse providing home health services for the agency on a per-visit basis.

(2) A hospice program providing hospice services may not compensate a nurse providing hospice services for the program on a per-visit basis.

(3)(a) The Bureau of Labor and Industries shall enforce compliance with the provisions of this section.

(b) In accordance with the provisions of ORS chapter 183, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this section. [2009 c.141 §2]

ENFORCEMENT OF WAGE CLAIMS

(Generally)

652.310 Definitions of employer and employee. As used in ORS 652.310 to 652.414, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Employer” means any person who in this state, directly or through an agent, engages personal services of one or more employees and includes any successor to the business of any employer, or any lessee or purchaser of any employer’s business property for the continuance of the same business, so far as such employer has not paid employees in full. “Employer” includes the State of Oregon or any political subdivision thereof or any county, city, district, authority, public corporation or entity and any of their instrumentalities organized and existing under law or charter but does not include:

(a) The United States.

(b) Trustees and assignees in bankruptcy or insolvency, and receivers, whether appointed by federal or state courts, and persons otherwise falling under the definition of employers so far as the times or amounts of their payments to employees are regulated by laws of the United States, or regulations or orders made in pursuance thereof.

(2) “Employee” means any individual who otherwise than as copartner of the employer or as an independent contractor renders personal services wholly or partly in this state to an employer who pays or agrees to pay such individual at a fixed rate, based on the time spent in the performance of such services or on the number of operations accomplished, or quantity produced or handled. However:

(a) Where services are rendered by an independent contractor, an individual shall not be an employee under this section unless the individual is a musician or supporting technical person.

(b) Where services are rendered only partly in this state, an individual shall not be an employee under this section unless the contract of employment of the employee has been entered into, or payments thereunder are ordinarily made or to be made, within this state. [Amended by 1963 c.348 §1; 1975 c.488 §1; 1985 c.100 §2; 2001 c.7 §1]

652.320 Definitions for ORS 652.310 to 652.414. As used in ORS 652.310 to 652.414, unless the context requires otherwise:

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

(2) “Court” means a court of competent jurisdiction and proper venue to entertain a proceeding referred to in ORS 652.310 to 652.414.

(3) “Demand” means a written demand for payment made during business hours on an employer or any appropriate representative of an employer by an employee or by some person having and exhibiting due authority to act in said employee’s behalf.

(4) “Pay” means to deliver or tender compensation at a previously designated and reasonably convenient place in this state, during working hours, in legal tender or by order or negotiable instrument payable and paid in legal tender without discount on demand in this state or by deposit without discount in an employee’s account in a financial institution, as defined in ORS 706.008, in this state, provided the employee and the employer have agreed to such deposit.

(5) “Payment” means the delivery, tender or deposit of compensation in the medium of payment described in subsection (4) of this section. Such delivery, tender or deposit shall be made to or for the account of the employee concerned or to or for the account of any person having due authority to act in said employee’s behalf.

(6) “Rate of payment” means the rate at which payment is made or is to be made in the manner described in this section.

(7) “Wage claim” means an employee’s claim against an employer for compensation for the employee’s own personal services, and includes any wages, compensation, damages or civil penalties provided by law to employees in connection with a claim for unpaid wages. [Amended by 1975 c.190 §1; 1975 c.488 §2; 1979 c.695 §1; 1999 c.59 §193; 1999 c.351 §39; 2001 c.7 §2]

652.325 [1975 c.488 §4; 1991 c.331 §94; repealed by 1999 c.69 §1]

652.330 Powers and duties of commissioner in enforcing wage claims; parties to wage claim action. (1) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall enforce ORS 652.310 to 652.414 and to that end may:

(a) Investigate and attempt equitably to adjust controversies between employers and employees in respect of wage claims or alleged wage claims.

(b) Take assignments, in trust, of wage claims or judgments thereon, liens and other instruments of security for payment of wages from the assigning employees, spouses, parents or legal guardians, having a right to the wages of such employees. All such assignments shall run to the commissioner and any successors in office. The commissioner may sue employers on wage claims and other persons or property liable for any payment thereof thus assigned with the benefits and subject to existing laws applying to actions by employees for collection of wages. The commissioner is entitled to recover, in addition to costs, such sum as the court or judge may adjudge reasonable as attorney fees at trial and on appeal. The commissioner may join in a single proceeding and in one cause of action any number of wage claims against the same employer. If the commissioner does not prevail in such action, the commissioner shall pay all costs and disbursements from the Bureau of Labor and Industries Account.

(c) Make complaint in a criminal court for any violation of any law providing for payment of wages and imposing a penalty for its violation as for a crime.

(d) In any case where a civil action may be brought under this chapter for the collection of a wage claim, provide for an administrative proceeding to determine the validity and enforce collection of the claim. The administrative proceeding shall be conducted as provided in this chapter, and is subject to the employer’s right to elect a trial in a court of law.

(2) An assigning wage claimant shall not be regarded as a party to any court action brought by the commissioner under this section for any purpose. [Amended by 1957 c.465 §6; 1963 c.258 §2; 1967 c.218 §1; 1979 c.695 §2; 1981 c.897 §88]

652.332 Administrative proceeding for wage claim collection; court enforcement and review; rules. (1) In any case when the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries has received a wage claim complaint which the commissioner could seek to collect through court action, the commissioner may instead elect to seek collection of such claim through administrative proceedings in the manner provided in this section, subject to the employer’s right to request a trial in a court of law. The commissioner may join in a single administrative proceeding any number of wage claims against the same employer. Upon making such election, the commissioner shall serve upon the employer and the wage claimant an order of determination directing the employer to pay to the commissioner the amount of the wage claim and any penalty amounts under ORS 279C.855 (1), 652.150 and 653.055 (1) determined to be owed the wage claimant. Service shall be made in the same manner as service of summons or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The order of determination shall include:

(a) A reference to the particular sections of the statutes or rules involved;

(b) A short and concise statement of the basis for the amounts determined to be owed to each wage claimant;

(c) A statement of the party’s right to request a contested case hearing and to be represented by counsel at such a hearing, and of the employer’s right to a trial in a court of law, provided that any request for a contested case hearing or trial in a court of law must be received by the commissioner in writing within 20 days after receipt by the party of the order of determination;

(d) A statement that the employer must, within 20 days after receipt of the order of determination, either pay in full the wage claim and any penalties assessed, or present to the commissioner a written request for a contested case hearing or a trial in a court of law as provided in this section;

(e) A statement that failure to make a written request to the commissioner for a contested case hearing or a trial of the claim in a court of law within the time specified shall constitute a waiver of the right thereto and a waiver of the right to a trial by jury; and

(f) A statement that unless the written requests provided for in paragraph (c) of this subsection are received by the commissioner within the time specified for making such requests, the order of determination shall become final.

(2) Upon failure of the employer to pay the amount specified in the order of determination or to request a trial in a court of law within the time specified, and upon failure of any party to request a contested case hearing within the time specified, the order of determination shall become final.

(3) If a party makes a timely request for a contested case hearing, a hearing shall be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of ORS 183.415 to 183.500 by the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee. The commissioner shall adopt rules for such hearing. In any hearing before the commissioner’s designee, the designee is authorized to issue the final order in the case. If the employer makes a timely request for a trial in a court of law, the commissioner may proceed against the employer as provided in ORS 652.330 (1)(b).

(4) Final administrative orders issued in a wage claim proceeding are subject to review by the Court of Appeals as provided in ORS 183.480 and 183.482.

(5) When an order issued under this section becomes final, it may be recorded in the County Clerk Lien Record in any county of this state. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, recording an order in the County Clerk Lien Record pursuant to the provisions of this section has the effect provided for in ORS 205.125 and 205.126, and the order may be enforced as provided in ORS 205.125 and 205.126.

(6) Where the wage claim arose out of work performed by the claimant for the employer on any public works project to which ORS 279C.830 or 279C.840 applies, and a state agency holds sufficient funds as retainage on such project to pay such claim or any portion thereof, the state agency may, at the request of the commissioner, pay to the commissioner from the retainage all or part of the amount due on the claim under the final order. [1979 c.695 §4; 1981 c.594 §3; 1989 c.706 §19; 1995 c.82 §1; 1997 c.387 §6; 2003 c.794 §309]

652.335 Liability of liquor dispenser licensee for wage claims of certain individuals. (1) A person operating a commercial establishment where food is cooked and served who holds a full on-premises sales license issued under ORS 471.175 is liable for all valid wage claims of individuals employed in the kitchen facilities and dining space of such establishment who are not employed by such person, if the wage claims cannot be enforced against the employer of such individuals. The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may in such a case proceed under ORS 652.310 to 652.414 against the person operating the establishment as if that person had employed the individuals assigning the wage claims.

(2) This section does not impose any liability not otherwise imposed by law for compensation for the performance of an individual’s personal services in excess of a period of 60 days, nor does it subject the person operating an establishment described in this section to criminal penalties for violation of any law providing for payment of wages. [1961 c.475 §2; 1999 c.351 §40]

652.340 Requiring bond of employer. (1) If upon investigation by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, after taking assignments of any wage claims under ORS 652.330, it appears to the commissioner that the employer is representing to employees that the employer is able to pay wages for their services and that the employees are not being paid for their services, the commissioner may require the employer to give a bond in such sum as the commissioner deems reasonable and adequate in the circumstances, with sufficient surety, conditioned that the employer will for a definite future period not exceeding six months conduct business and pay employees in accordance with the laws of Oregon.

(2) If within 10 days after demand for such bond the employer fails to provide the same, the commissioner may commence a suit against the employer in the circuit court of appropriate jurisdiction to compel the employer to furnish such bond or cease doing business until the employer has done so. The employer shall have the burden of proving the amount thereof to be excessive.

(3) If the court finds that there is just cause for requiring such bond and that the same is reasonably necessary or appropriate to secure the prompt payment of the wages of the employees of such employer and the employer’s compliance with ORS 652.310 to 652.414, the court shall enjoin such employer from doing business in this state until the requirement is met, or shall make other, and may make further, orders appropriate to compel compliance with the requirement. [Amended by 1975 c.488 §5; 1991 c.331 §95; 1997 c.631 §515; 1999 c.69 §2]

652.350 [Repealed by 1979 c.695 §7]

652.355 Prohibition of discrimination because of wage claim; remedy. (1) An employer may not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against an employee because:

(a) The employee has made a wage claim or discussed, inquired about or consulted an attorney or agency about a wage claim.

(b) The employee has caused to be instituted any proceedings under or related to ORS 652.310 to 652.414.

(c) The employee has testified or is about to testify in any such proceedings.

(2) A violation of this section is an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A. A person unlawfully discriminated against under this section may file a complaint under ORS 659A.820 with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries. [1975 c.397 §2; 1980 c.1 §1; 2007 c.278 §1]

652.360 Contract exempting employer from liability or penalty not valid; exceptions. (1) An employer may not by special contract or any other means exempt the employer from any provision of or liability or penalty imposed by ORS 652.310 to 652.414 or any statute relating to the payment of wages, except insofar as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries in writing approves a special contract or other arrangement between the employer and one or more of the employer’s employees. The commissioner may not give approval unless the commissioner finds that such contract or arrangement will not prejudicially affect the interest of the public or of the employees involved, and the commissioner may at any time retract such approval, first giving the employer not less than 30 days’ notice in writing.

(2) A settlement between an employer and an employee of a known and identified claim arising under ORS 652.310 to 652.414 or any statute relating to the payment of wages does not require the commissioner’s approval if the settlement does not provide for the employee to relinquish a claim for additional or future violations. [Amended by 2001 c.116 §1]

652.370 Jurisdiction of courts; proceedings in name of state. (1) Justice courts shall have concurrent jurisdiction with circuit courts over all cases mentioned in ORS 652.330 or 652.340.

(2) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall prosecute all legal proceedings on the commissioner’s own official relation, but in the name of the State of Oregon.

652.380 Remedies cumulative; effect of payment or tender by employer after proceeding commenced. (1) The remedies provided by ORS 652.310 to 652.414 shall be additional to and not in substitution for and in no manner impair other remedies and may be enforced simultaneously or consecutively so far as not inconsistent with each other.

(2) No payment or tender after the filing of a criminal complaint or commencement of any proceeding by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall affect the liability therein of an employer for expenses, or prevent such employer from being subject to fine or forfeitures, or to the giving of bond under ORS 652.340.

652.390 Deduction of costs from wage claims; collection fees; assignment of wage claims. (1) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may deduct and retain any moneys collected on each wage claim as costs, attorney fees or commissioner’s penalties. The amount deducted shall be paid into the General Fund after deducting actual costs and disbursements incurred in the prosecution of the wage claim.

(2) The commissioner may charge a claimant or respondent on a wage claim for which the commissioner has obtained a judgment the actual collection fees charged to the Bureau of Labor and Industries by any other governmental agency assisting in the collection of the judgment.

(3) The commissioner is authorized to assign wage claim judgments and orders issued pursuant to ORS 652.332 for collection or to obtain assistance in collection of such judgments and orders and may deduct and pay out from any moneys so collected a collection fee. [Amended by 1957 c.465 §7; 1967 c.218 §2; 1983 c.427 §1; 1995 c.82 §2; 2003 c.14 §394; 2009 c.162 §1]

652.400 Deposit of moneys in Wage Collection Account; payment to persons entitled thereto. Subject to ORS 652.390, all moneys collected on civil judgments pursuant to ORS 652.330, or as a result of administrative proceedings pursuant to ORS 652.332, shall be paid to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries and, together with all other sums collected under ORS 652.310 to 652.414, be deposited in the State Treasury to become part of a special trust account to be known as the Wage Collection Account, which account is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the account shall be credited to the account. All moneys in the Wage Collection Account are appropriated continuously for the purpose of payment to the persons entitled thereto. [Amended by 1957 c.465 §8; 1979 c.695 §5; 1989 c.966 §65; 2011 c.597 §263]

652.405 Disposition of wages collected by commissioner when payment cannot be made to person entitled thereto. (1) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall attempt for a period of not less than three years to make payment of wages collected under ORS 652.310 to 652.414 to the person entitled thereto.

(2) Wages collected by the commissioner under ORS 652.310 to 652.414 and remaining unclaimed for a period of more than three years from the date of collection shall, by July 30 of each year, be forfeited to the state and shall be paid by the commissioner to the Department of State Lands for the benefit of the Common School Fund of this state. The department shall issue a receipt for the money to the commissioner. The person entitled to the wages or the person’s heirs or personal representatives may reclaim the wages paid into the Common School Fund pursuant to this section within the time and in the manner provided for estates which have escheated to the state. [1957 c.465 §15; 2011 c.348 §3]

(Wage Security Fund)

652.409 Wage Security Fund; use. (1) The Wage Security Fund is established separate and distinct from the General Fund. After deduction of the amounts provided in ORS 657.439 (2)(a), all moneys received by the Employment Department pursuant to ORS 657.439 (2)(a) shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the Wage Security Fund. All income earned on moneys in the Wage Security Fund invested by the State Treasurer shall accrue to the fund.

(2) All income earned on moneys in the Wage Security Fund, and all other moneys in the fund, are appropriated continuously to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries to carry out the provisions of ORS 652.414. [1985 c.409 §4; 1987 c.412 §3; 1989 c.248 §1; 1989 c.554 §2; 2005 c.183 §9]

652.410 [Repealed by 1977 c.618 §2]

652.414 Procedure for payment from fund; lien against personal property of employer; penalties; rules. Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

(1) When an employee files a wage claim under this chapter for wages earned and unpaid, and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries determines that the employer against whom the claim was filed has ceased doing business and is without sufficient assets to pay the wage claim and the wage claim cannot otherwise be fully and promptly paid, the commissioner, after determining that the claim is valid, shall pay the claimant, to the extent provided in subsection (2) of this section:

(a) The unpaid amount of wages earned within 60 days before the date of the cessation of business; or

(b) If the claimant filed a wage claim before the cessation of business, the unpaid amount of wages earned within 60 days before the last day the claimant was employed.

(2) The commissioner shall pay the unpaid amount of wages earned as provided in subsection (1) of this section only to the extent of $4,000 from such funds as may be available pursuant to ORS 652.409 (2).

(3) The commissioner may commence an appropriate action, suit or proceeding to recover from the employer, or other persons or property liable for the unpaid wages, amounts paid from the Wage Security Fund under subsection (1) of this section. In addition to costs and disbursements, the commissioner is entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees at trial and on appeal, together with a penalty of 25 percent of the amount of wages paid from the Wage Security Fund or $200, whichever amount is the greater. All amounts recovered by the commissioner under this subsection and subsection (4) of this section are appropriated continuously to the commissioner to carry out the provisions of this section.

(4) The commissioner has a lien on the personal property of the employer for the benefit of the fund when the claim is paid under subsection (1) of this section for the amount so paid and the penalty referred to in subsection (3) of this section. The commissioner may cause to be filed a verified written notice of claim of lien with the recording officer of the county in which the employer has its principal place of business no later than 30 days after the date the claim was paid under subsection (1) of this section. The notice of claim of lien shall contain:

(a) A true statement of the sums paid to wage claimants and the amount of the penalty provided for in subsection (3) of this section;

(b) The name of the owner of the personal property to be charged with the lien;

(c) A description of the personal property to be charged with the lien sufficient for identification. If a lien is being claimed against all personal property of the employer, the description is sufficient if it states that all personal property of the employer is covered; and

(d) The date the wage claim was paid.

(5) Liens created by subsection (4) of this section shall be recorded in the same manner as provided for in ORS 87.246 and may be foreclosed in the manner provided for in ORS 87.262.

(6) Liens created by subsection (4) of this section shall have priority over any other liens or security interests perfected after the date the notice of claim is filed with the county recording officer under subsections (4) and (5) of this section.

(7) The commissioner shall promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of this section that include, but are not limited to, prescribing procedures for a timely and cost efficient method for the payment of wage claims from the Wage Security Fund and procedures for prorating wage claims if insufficient funds are available for payment.

(8) Nothing in this section is intended to require the commissioner to pay wage claims for which moneys are not available under ORS 652.409 (2). [1985 c.409 §7; 1987 c.412 §1; 1989 c.554 §3; 1999 c.374 §1]

(Reciprocal Enforcement of Wage Claims)

652.420 Definitions for ORS 652.420 to 652.445. (1) As used in ORS 652.420 to 652.445:

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

(b) “Labor bureau” includes any agency, bureau, commission, board or officer in another state that performs functions substantially corresponding to those of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

(2) The definitions of ORS 652.310 and 652.320 shall apply to ORS 652.420 to 652.445, but nothing contained in those sections shall be construed to preclude reciprocal enforcement of wage claims under ORS 652.420 to 652.445, when the services of the employee were rendered in another state. [1953 c.256 §1; 1987 c.158 §125; 2007 c.71 §205]

652.425 Authority of commissioner to enter into agreements with other states for reciprocal enforcement of wage claims. The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may enter into agreements with the corresponding labor bureau of another state for the reciprocal enforcement and collection of wage claims, if the other state has a reciprocal statute similar to ORS 652.420 to 652.445 or otherwise authorizes the reciprocal enforcement and collection of wage claims in a manner substantially similar to ORS 652.420 to 652.445. [1953 c.256 §2]

652.430 Assigning wage claim to labor bureau of another state. Whenever a wage claim is assigned to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries in trust pursuant to ORS 652.330 and the employer or former employer upon whom demand for payment is made by an employee in this state has removed to another state, the commissioner may reassign the wage claim, with the approval of the employee, to the labor bureau of the other state, if there is in effect at the time a valid reciprocal agreement under ORS 652.425 between the commissioner and the other state. [1953 c.256 §3]

652.435 Accepting assignments of wage claims from labor bureau of another state. Whenever a labor bureau in another state, which has entered into a reciprocal agreement under ORS 652.425 with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the agreement is in effect at the time, takes an assignment of a wage claim from an employee residing in the other state for services rendered in the other state to an employer or former employer who has removed to Oregon, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may take an assignment of the wage claim from such labor bureau and enforce the collection thereof as provided in the applicable provisions of ORS 652.310 to 652.414. [1953 c.256 §4; 2003 c.14 §395]

652.440 Retention by commissioner or labor bureau of percentage of funds collected. Any agreement concluded by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall make provision for the transfer of funds collected pursuant to ORS 652.420 to 652.445 and for retention by the commissioner or the labor bureau in the other state of percentile amounts from the sums collected to defray the administrative costs of ORS 652.420 to 652.445. Amounts authorized pursuant to this section to be used to defray the administrative costs of ORS 652.420 to 652.445 shall be credited to the Bureau of Labor and Industries Account and shall be used only for the administration of ORS 652.420 to 652.445. [1953 c.256 §5; 1957 c.465 §9]

652.445 Deposit of moneys in Wage Collection Account. Except as provided in ORS 652.440, all moneys collected pursuant to ORS 652.420 to 652.445, including costs, shall be paid to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries and be deposited in the State Treasury in the Wage Collection Account established by ORS 652.400. [1953 c.256 §6; 1957 c.465 §10; 2011 c.597 §264]

PRIORITY OF WAGE CLAIMS

652.500 Receiver to pay accrued wages; payment of employees; receiver’s certificates. Whenever the business or property of any person, company or corporation in this state shall be placed by any court in this state in the hands of a receiver, whether upon foreclosure or creditor’s bill, the receiver shall report immediately to the court appointing the receiver the amount due by the person, company or corporation, at the date of the receiver’s appointment, to employees and laborers of the person, company or corporation. The court shall order the receiver to pay out of the first receipts and earnings of such person, company or corporation, after paying current operating expenses under the administration of the receiver, the wages of all employees and laborers that had accrued within six months prior to the appointment of the receiver. The court also shall order the receiver to pay the wages of all employees and laborers employed by the receiver, at least once every 30 days, out of the first receipts and earnings of the person, company or corporation while under the management of the receiver. However, should the receiver not take in sufficient money from receipts and earnings to pay the employees and laborers at least once every 30 days, the receiver shall issue and deliver to each of the employees and laborers, upon demand, a receiver’s certificate, showing the amount due the employee or laborer in money, which certificate will draw interest at the rate of eight percent per annum from the date of issuance until paid. The receiver shall thereafter pay such certificates, in the order of their issuance, out of the first money coming into the receiver’s hands from the receipts and earnings of the properties under the charge of the receiver. [Formerly 31.050; 2003 c.14 §396]

Note: 652.500 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 652 or any series therein by legislative action. See the Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

652.510 Payment of wage claims by receivers, assignees or court; filing statement of wages due. (1) When the property of any company, cooperative association, corporation, firm or person is seized upon by any process of any court of this state, or when the business or property is placed in the hands of a receiver, or whenever any assignment for the benefit of creditors under the laws of this state is made, then in all such cases the debts owing to laborers or employees, which have accrued by reason of their labor or employment to an amount not exceeding $2,000 to each employee for work or labor performed within 90 days next preceding the seizure or transfer or assignment of such property, or appointment of said receiver shall be considered and treated as preferred debts, and such laborers or employees shall be preferred creditors, and shall first be paid in full, and if there is not sufficient to pay them in full, their claims shall be paid pro rata, after paying costs.

(2) Any such laborer or employee desiring to enforce the claim of the laborer or employee for wages under ORS 652.510 to 652.570 shall present a statement under oath showing the amount due after allowing all just credits and setoffs, the kind of work for which said wages are due and when performed, to the officer or person charged with the execution of said process, within 30 days after the seizure thereof on any execution or writ of attachment, or to such receiver or assignee within 45 days after the same may have been placed in the hands of any such assignee or receiver. [Amended by 1977 c.288 §1; 1981 c.594 §4; 1987 c.412 §2; 2003 c.14 §397]

652.520 Form of statement of wage claim. The statement to be presented under ORS 652.510 shall be substantially in the following form:

______________________________________________________________________________

State of Oregon )

) ss.

County of_____, )

I, _____, being first duly sworn, say that _____ is indebted to me in the sum of ___ dollars over and above all just credits and setoffs, on account of work, services and labor performed by me for the said_____, upon the following terms and conditions, to wit: That I was employed by the said _____ on or about the ___ day of_____, 2__, to work (here describe character of work) at the rate of ___ dollars per month (or for a reasonable consideration for such work), and that under said contract I began to work on the ___ day of_____, 2__, and between that day and the ___ day of______, 2__, I performed work, services and labor ___ days, amounting to the sum of ___ dollars (or the reasonable value of ___ dollars); that the said _____ has paid me on account of the said labor the sum of ___ dollars, and no more; and that there is now due me, the sum of ___ dollars, over and above all just credits and offsets; and that during the 90 days next preceding the ___ day of_____, 2__, I had performed ___ days’ labor under said contract, amounting to the sum of ___ dollars (or that said services were reasonably worth the sum of ___ dollars); and that, applying all the credits above stated, there is due me from the said______, on account of labor for the said 90 days, the sum of ___ dollars, and no more; claim as due me.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this ___ day of_____, 2__.

______________________________________________________________________________

652.530 Serving copy of statement; report to court; order of payment. (1) The person claiming the benefit of ORS 652.510 to 652.570 shall serve upon the debtor, or upon the officer, assignee or receiver for the debtor where personal service cannot be had, a copy of the verified claim. Thereafter the person receiving such statement shall report the amount of such claim to the court having jurisdiction of such officer, receiver or assignee, together with a statement of all costs occasioned by the seizure of said property or of such receivership or assignment.

(2) The court shall order such claims to be paid after payment of the costs and expenses of such seizure and sale, and the costs and disbursements which have accrued before the filing of the notice under ORS 652.510 and of assignment or receivership, out of the proceeds of the sale of the property so seized, assigned, or placed in the hands of an assignee or receiver.

652.540 Exception to claim; legal action on claim. (1) Any person interested may contest all or any part of a claim mentioned in ORS 652.530, by filing in said court exceptions thereto, supported by affidavit, within 10 days from the filing of the report provided in ORS 652.530. Thereupon the claimant shall be required to establish the claim, by judgment in such court, before any part thereof shall be paid.

(2) When any claim is excepted to as provided in this section, the person desiring to establish the same shall file in said court, within 30 days after the claim is excepted to, a verified complaint as in an action at law and serve it upon the person excepting, or the person’s attorney of record, and upon the principal debtor for the claim, or the principal debtor’s attorney of record.

(3) Thereafter the cause shall proceed to final judgment between the parties as an action at law.

652.550 Payment of claims prerequisite to discharge of attachment or execution, assignee or receiver, or to abandonment of seizure or sale. No attachment or execution shall be discharged nor shall the seizure or sale of property seized be abandoned, or assignee or receiver discharged, until every claimant presenting a claim under ORS 652.510 to 652.570 has been paid in full, or pro rata, as provided in ORS 652.510, or has consented to such discharge or abandonment.

652.560 Costs and attorney fees. Whenever any claim has been excepted to under ORS 652.540 and the claim is established by judgment and the court rendering the judgment is satisfied that the exceptions were made without probable cause or that the person so excepting could have ascertained with reasonable diligence that such claim was true and just, the claimant in such action shall be entitled to have the costs of such action, and such sum as the court may adjudge reasonable as attorney fees at trial and on appeal, enforced by execution against the person objecting as a judgment debtor in the first instance. However, if the court does not so find, or if execution, when issued, is returned nulla bona, then in either case such costs and attorney fees shall be ordered paid out of the proceeds of the property sold next after the payment of all claims presented under ORS 652.510 to 652.570. [Amended by 1981 c.897 §89]

652.570 Priority of wage claims over transfers in payment of preexisting obligations; payment and subrogation of transferee. (1) Every sale or transfer of any property in payment of any preexisting debt, or obligation, and every mortgage or lien created or executed to secure the payment of a preexisting debt, shall be void as against laborers or employees of such vendor, mortgagor, or other lien debtor, to the extent of their claims for wages, in the amount of $2,000, or 30 days of wages, whichever amount is the greater, to each of said laborers which may be owing for work or labor performed within 90 days next preceding such sale and transfer or the execution of such lien or mortgage, if the laborer or employee claiming the benefit of this section:

(a) Within 10 days after the actual delivery of the property or within 30 days after the recording of any such deed, transfer, mortgage or lien, gives such owner or holder of such lien or such vendee notice of the claim of the laborer or employee substantially in the form and verified as provided in ORS 652.520, which notice shall be served by delivering it or a copy thereof to such owner or holder of such lien or such vendee in person or, in case the owner, holder or vendee cannot be found within the county in which such lien or deed may be of record after diligent inquiry, by delivering the notice or a copy thereof to the clerk of the county court for such owner or holder of such lien or such vendee; and

(b) Within 30 days after the notice of claim is served commences court action to pursue the claim.

(2) The vendee or mortgage or lienholder, or an assignee, may pay such claim and thereby be subrogated to the rights and lien of such laborer or employee, as against the vendor, principal debtor or mortgagor, and as against subsequent mortgagees or other subsequent lien creditors.

(3) This section does not apply to any mortgage or lien given in renewal of a preexisting mortgage or lien. [Amended by 1977 c.288 §2; 1989 c.651 §1]

652.580 [Repealed by 1981 c.898 §53]

STATEMENTS RELATING TO EMPLOYEE’S SALARY AND DEDUCTIONS THEREFROM

(Generally)

652.610 Itemized statement of amounts and purposes of deductions; timely payment to recipient of amounts deducted. (1) All persons, firms, partnerships, associations, cooperative associations, corporations, municipal corporations, the state and its political subdivisions, except the federal government and its agencies, employing, in this state, during any calendar month one or more persons, and withholding for any purpose any sum of money from the wages, salary or commission earned by an employee, shall provide the employee on regular paydays with a statement sufficiently itemized to show the amount and purpose of the deductions made during the respective period of service that the payment covers.

(2) The itemized statement shall be furnished to the employee at the time payment of wages, salary or commission is made, and may be attached to or be a part of the check, draft, voucher or other instrument by which payment is made, or may be delivered separately from the instrument.

(3) An employer may not withhold, deduct or divert any portion of an employee’s wages unless:

(a) The employer is required to do so by law;

(b) The deductions are authorized in writing by the employee, are for the employee’s benefit and are recorded in the employer’s books;

(c) The employee has voluntarily signed an authorization for a deduction for any other item, provided that the ultimate recipient of the money withheld is not the employer and that the deduction is recorded in the employer’s books;

(d) The deduction is authorized by a collective bargaining agreement to which the employer is a party;

(e) The deduction is authorized under ORS 18.736; or

(f) The deduction is made from the payment of wages upon termination of employment and is authorized pursuant to a written agreement between the employee and employer for the repayment of a loan made to the employee by the employer, if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The employee has voluntarily signed the agreement;

(B) The loan was paid to the employee in cash or other medium permitted by ORS 652.110;

(C) The loan was made solely for the employee’s benefit and was not used, either directly or indirectly, for any purpose required by the employer or connected with the employee’s employment with the employer;

(D) The amount of the deduction at termination of employment does not exceed the amount permitted to be garnished under ORS 18.385; and

(E) The deduction is recorded in the employer’s books.

(4) When an employer deducts an amount from an employee’s wages as required or authorized by law or agreement, the employer shall pay the amount deducted to the appropriate recipient as required by the law or agreement. The employer shall pay the amount deducted within the time required by the law or the agreement or, if the time for payment is not specified by the law or agreement, within seven days after the date the wages from which the deductions are made are due. Failure to pay the amount as required constitutes an unlawful deduction.

(5) This section does not:

(a) Prohibit the withholding of amounts authorized in writing by the employee to be contributed by the employee to charitable organizations, including contributions made pursuant to ORS 243.666 and 663.110;

(b) Prohibit deductions by checkoff dues to labor organizations or service fees when the deductions are not otherwise prohibited by law; or

(c) Diminish or enlarge the right of any person to assert and enforce a lawful setoff or counterclaim or to attach, take, reach or apply an employee’s compensation on due legal process. [Amended by 1977 c.618 §1; 1980 s.s. c.1 §2; 1981 c.594 §5; 1995 c.753 §2; 2001 c.249 §78; 2003 c.779 §5; 2007 c.676 §1]

652.615 Remedy for violation of ORS 652.610. There is hereby created a private cause of action for a violation of ORS 652.610 (3) for actual damages or $200, whichever is greater. In any such action the court may award to the prevailing party, in addition to costs and disbursements, reasonable attorney fees. [1981 c.594 §7]

652.620 Statement of yearly compensation on request of employee. All persons, firms, partnerships, associations, cooperative associations, corporations, municipal corporations, the state and its political subdivisions thereof, except the federal government and its agencies employing, in this state, five or more persons, during any calendar month, upon the request of any employee or former employee, and upon five days’ notice to said employer shall give to such employee, not later than March 10 of each year, a statement showing the total compensation paid by such employer to such employee, or former employee, during the previous calendar year.

(Agricultural Workers)

652.630 Definitions for ORS 652.630 to 652.640. As used in ORS 652.630 to 652.640, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Bonus” means an increase in the agreed rate of compensation based on the amount of time worked during a perishable agricultural product season or based on the amount of a perishable agricultural product that is harvested.

(2) “Labor contractor” means a farm labor contractor as defined in ORS 658.405.

(3) “Producer” means a person who raises perishable agricultural products. [1969 c.572 §1]

Note: 652.630 to 652.640 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 652 by legislative action. See the Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

652.635 Producers to post certain terms of employment. Every producer, or agent of the producer, who employs a labor contractor to provide a working crew for harvesting perishable agricultural products or who offers a bonus to those persons who harvest perishable agricultural products shall cause to be conspicuously posted and maintained on the premises where the agricultural products are to be harvested a notice that states:

(1) A description of the terms and conditions of any bonus offered, including the manner of determining when the bonus is earned.

(2) That portion of the labor contractor’s compensation that is based on the amount of work done by each employee of the labor contractor. [1969 c.572 §2]

Note: See note under 652.630.

652.640 Itemized statement of compensation and deductions required. Each time a person who harvests perishable agricultural products receives compensation payments at a regular pay period or upon termination of employment, the producer, or agent of the producer, or, if the person is an employee of a labor contractor, the labor contractor shall furnish to such person a written statement itemizing the total payment and each deduction therefrom. [1969 c.572 §3]

Note: See note under 652.630.

FEES OR DEDUCTIONS FOR MEDICAL CARE

652.710 Fees collected by employer for medical care contracts are trust funds; priority on liquidation; civil penalty; rules. (1) All moneys collected by an employer from employees or retained from their wages for the purpose of providing for or furnishing to such employees medical and surgical attention, hospital care, X-rays, ambulance, nursing or any related service or care contingent upon sickness or injury pursuant to a contract are trust funds and shall be placed and kept in separate accounts by the employer and shall promptly be paid over to the contractor. Such funds shall in no event become a part of the assets of the employer.

(2) If the employer fails to place and keep such funds in separate accounts and pay them over to the contractor or if the funds become commingled with the funds of the employer and the employer becomes bankrupt, insolvent or goes through voluntary or involuntary liquidation, or if a receiver is appointed to operate or liquidate the affairs of the employer, the funds not paid to the contractor shall be entitled to the same preference as given to claims of the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation, as provided in ORS 656.562.

(3) On and after July 1, 1992, when an employer that is a group health insurance policyholder subject to the provisions of ORS 743.560 receives notice that the group health insurance policy is terminated by the insurer and the employer does not replace coverage with any other group health insurance policy, the employer shall notify all employees who were covered under the terminated group policy. The employer’s notification to the employees shall:

(a) Explain the employee’s rights regarding continuation or conversion of coverage under state and federal law; and

(b) Be delivered to each employee in person or to the employee’s home address as recorded in the employer’s records not later than 10 working days after the receipt of notice from the insurer pursuant to ORS 743.560 (3) to (5).

(4) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may assess a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation of subsection (1) or (3) of this section.

(5) Civil penalties under this section shall be imposed as provided in ORS 183.745.

(6) All sums collected as penalties pursuant to this section shall be first applied toward reimbursement of the costs incurred in determining the violations, conducting hearings under this section and assessing and collecting such penalties. The remainder, if any, of the sums collected as penalties pursuant to this section shall be paid over by the commissioner to the Department of State Lands for the benefit of the Common School Fund of this state. The department shall issue a receipt for the money to the commissioner.

(7) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt rules reasonably necessary for the administration of this section. [Formerly 655.130; 1991 c.673 §1; 1991 c.734 §114; 2001 c.943 §15]

652.720 Prohibited use by employer of fees for medical care contracts withheld from employee wages. (1) No employer shall retain, directly or indirectly, from employees or from their wages any part of the money collected or retained under ORS 652.710 for use or benefit of the employer.

(2) No employer shall apply, directly or indirectly, any portion of the money so collected to the employer’s cost of compensation or to the cost of any medical, surgical or hospital care and attention for employees on account of injuries sustained by them in the course of their employment. [Formerly 655.110]

PERSONNEL RECORDS

652.750 Inspection of records by employee; furnishing copy to employee; disposition of record on termination of employment; charge for copies; public safety officer records. (1) As used in this section:

(a) “Employer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 656.005.

(b) “Personnel records” does not include records of an individual relating to the conviction, arrest or investigation of conduct constituting a violation of the criminal laws of this state or another state or the United States, confidential reports from previous employers or records maintained in compliance with ORS 351.065.

(c) “Public safety officer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 236.350.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, within 45 days after receipt of an employee’s request, an employer shall provide reasonable opportunity for the employee to inspect, at the place of employment or place of work assignment, the personnel records of the employee that are used or have been used to determine the employee’s qualification for employment, promotion, additional compensation or employment termination or other disciplinary action. Within 45 days after receipt of the employee’s request, the employer shall furnish a certified copy of the records.

(3) Upon termination of employment, the employer shall keep the terminated employee’s personnel records for not less than 60 days. Within the 60-day period, the employer shall provide the employee with a certified copy of the records within 45 days of receiving the employee’s request. After the 60-day period, the employer shall provide the certified copy within 45 days of receiving the employee’s request if the employer has the records at the time of the request.

(4) Notwithstanding the time periods described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, if the employee’s personnel records are not readily available, the employer and the employee may agree to extend the time within which the employer must provide the employee reasonable opportunity to inspect the records or furnish the employee a certified copy of the records.

(5) For the services referred to in subsections (2) and (3) of this section only, an employer may charge an employee no more than an amount reasonably calculated to recover the actual cost of providing the services.

(6)(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, an employer may not place an adverse comment in the personnel records of a public safety officer unless the officer has first read and signed the document containing the adverse comment.

(b) If a public safety officer refuses to sign a document containing an adverse comment, the employer may place the document in the officer’s personnel records with a notation that the document was presented to the officer and the officer refused to sign it.

(c) If a public safety officer is not available to read and sign the document containing an adverse comment at the work location where the personnel files are maintained, the employer may place the document in the officer’s personnel records and mail a copy of the document to the officer by regular mail or interoffice mail.

(d) A public safety officer may write a response within 30 days of being presented with a document containing an adverse comment. If a public safety officer writes a response to a document containing an adverse comment, the response must be attached to the original document and placed in the officer’s personnel records.

(7)(a) Upon request, a public safety officer may inspect the officer’s own personnel records at a reasonable time at the location where the records are kept by the employer.

(b) If, after inspection, a public safety officer believes that any portion of the material is mistakenly or unlawfully placed in the officer’s personnel records, the officer may request in writing that the mistaken or unlawful material be corrected or deleted. The request must describe the corrections or deletions requested and the reasons supporting the request and provide any documentation that supports the request. The employer shall respond within 30 days from the date the request is received. If the employer does not correct or delete the material, the employer shall place the request and the employer’s response to the request in the officer’s personnel records. [1977 c.861 §2; 1985 c.404 §6; 2007 c.276 §1; 2009 c.716 §4]

PENALTIES

652.900 Civil penalties. (1) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may assess a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 against any person who violates ORS 652.020, 652.110, 652.140, 652.145, 652.260, 652.610 (4) or 652.750 or any rule adopted under those statutes.

(2) Civil penalties under this section shall be imposed as provided in ORS 183.745.

(3) All sums collected as penalties under this section shall be first applied toward reimbursement of costs incurred in determining the violations, conducting hearings under this section and addressing and collecting the penalties. The remainder, if any, of the sums collected as penalties under this section shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the General Fund and is available for general governmental expenses. [1989 c.852 §3; 1991 c.734 §59; 2001 c.690 §2; 2007 c.276 §2; 2007 c.546 §3; 2007 c.676 §2; 2009 c.141 §3]

652.990 Criminal penalties. (1) Violation of ORS 652.020 (2) is a Class A violation. Every day’s violation is deemed a separate offense.

(2) Any person, body corporate, general manager or employer who violates ORS 652.040 or causes ORS 652.040 to be violated commits a Class C misdemeanor.

(3) Violation of ORS 652.110 or 652.120 is a Class A violation.

(4) Violation of ORS 652.130 by any employer is a Class C misdemeanor.

(5) In addition to the civil damages recoverable under ORS 652.230, violation of ORS 652.210 to 652.230 is a Class A misdemeanor.

(6) The violation of ORS 652.240 is a Class A misdemeanor.

(7) Violation of ORS 652.355 is a Class C misdemeanor.

(8) Violation of ORS 652.610 or 652.620 is a Class D violation.

(9) Willful violation of ORS 652.635 or 652.640 by a producer or agent of the producer is a Class A misdemeanor.

(10) Violation of any of the provisions of ORS 652.710 or 652.720 by any employer is a Class A violation. [Subsection (5) enacted as 1955 c.193 §4; subsection (6) enacted as 1957 c.243 §2; subsection (9) formerly 655.990; subsection (8) enacted as 1969 c.572 §4; 1975 c.397 §5; 1999 c.1051 §215; 2011 c.597 §265]

_______________