Equity Officer investigation records would be disclosed under conditions

The bill would set out rules for disclosing some Equity Officer investigation records. The rules cover records about disclosures, allegations, investigations, reports, or counseling handled by or at the direction of the Legislative Equity Officer. A report about someone who is not a lawmaker is disclosed only after a finding that the person should face corrective steps or discipline. Identifying details about people who are not lawmakers may be removed from a disclosed agreement or written summary. A final report about a lawmaker is disclosed when delivered to the conduct committee. A report about someone else is disclosed after a finding that the person should face corrective steps or discipline.

The bill would remove one listed privilege from a rule about reporting certain serious threats and repeal three statutes. This rule concerns communications otherwise covered by the privileges listed in ORS 40.252. The no-privilege rule applies when the receiver professionally judges that the speaker has a clear, serious intent to commit a covered crime, poses a danger of doing so, and the receiver reports the communication. The rule does not require a report and bars civil liability for disclosing or failing to disclose a covered communication. If passed, the bill would take effect on passage.