HB 2474 Expands Oregon Family Medical Leave Act

This bill expands Oregon Family Medical Leave Act (OFLA) to establish eligibility for protected leave for all employees of a covered employer during public health emergency unless employed fewer than 30 days or worked less than an average of 25 hours per week in the 30 days leading up to the leave. Reinstates eligibility if reemployed within 180 days and restores time worked.

Fiscal Responsibility
The government does not have the means in Oregon to make up for the loss of tax revenue when businesses are forces to close under strain of demands for employee benefits.

Limited Government
Currently OFLA requires employers with 25 employees or more to provide up to 12 weeks of leave. Employees who take 12 weeks of parental leave may also take an additional 12 weeks of sick child leave. Employees must be allowed to use any accrued paid leave time for OFLA leave. In order to qualify, employees must have been employed at least 180 days and worked an average of more than 25 hours per week during that time. The 25-hour requirement does not apply for leave to care for an infant or newly adopted or foster child. HB 2474A expands the applicability of OFLA.

Free Markets
This will devastate small and moderate businesses that are struggling to recover from the economic pandemic. Any business employing fewer than 25 employees will not offer more jobs and be subject to more regulations that are costly.