In 2019, we fought to pass the most inclusive paid family and medical leave law in the country. Thanks to your hard work and advocacy, Paid Leave Oregon will be open to Oregonians next year. Contributions to fund the program will be collected through a payroll tax starting on January 1, 2023, and benefits will be available beginning on September 3, 2023.

In 2021, we updated our OFLA statute to be more reflective of Oregonians’ lived experiences and families by including school and child care closures as a reason for leave, and including a wider range of workers to be eligible for job-protected unpaid leave. The bill also modernized the definition of family to better reflect the diverse array of families in Oregon and implemented gender neutral language around people who experience pregnancy.

In 2022, we clarified the state and employers’ definitions for “benefit year” to ensure they aligned and makes it easier for workers to access PFML. The process will now be more efficient and better cover workers with multiple employers.