(1) A holder of public office or candidate may not:
- (a) Use public moneys to make payments in connection with a nondisclosure agreement relating to workplace harassment; or
- (b) Use moneys received from a third party to make payments in connection with a nondisclosure agreement relating to workplace harassment if the alleged harassment occurred when the holder of public office or candidate was acting as a holder of public office or candidate.
- (2) A nondisclosure agreement made in violation of this section is void and may not be enforced by a court of this state.
(3) As used in this section:
(a) “Payments in connection with a nondisclosure agreement” includes any form of consideration provided in exchange for the silence of an individual on issues relating to workplace harassment, including but not limited to:
- (A) Money;
- (B) Stock, personal property or other items with a resale value;
- (C) Severance pay or benefits for an individual who resigned or was fired from a place of employment without cause;
- (D) The promise of a positive reference or assistance in obtaining future employment in a position in which the individual’s salary is paid for with public moneys;
- (E) The promise of a bonus payment of moneys in addition to the individual’s salary;
- (F) Alternative work arrangements that have the effect of reducing the amount of work required to be performed by the individual, or of removing the individual from the workplace; or
- (G) Any agreement that terminates the employment of the individual and includes a waiver of past or future claims against the holder of public office, the public body or any public employee.
- (b) “Public office” has the meaning given that term in ORS 260.005.
- (c) “Workplace harassment” means conduct that constitutes discrimination prohibited by ORS 659A.030, including conduct that constitutes sexual assault as defined in ORS 181A.323.
- (4) This section does not prevent a holder of public office from using public moneys to make payments in connection with the receipt of a legally required confidential or privileged report of discrimination, sexual assault or harassment, including workplace harassment.
[2019 c.462 §3]