Bill > HB2790

This bill expands sick leave protections for mental health by clarifying that employees can take sick time to restore their own or a family member's mental well-being. The bill defines a "mental health condition" as a situation where an employee determines sick time is necessary to improve mental wellness. It requires the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to develop informational materials and training opportunities to increase awareness about mental and physical health connections. Importantly, employers cannot require medical verification for mental health-related sick leave, which provides additional privacy protections for employees. The bill also empowers BOLI to enter into contracts with mental health professionals to investigate retaliation complaints related to mental health absences and mandates that the commissioner adopt rules concerning such potential retaliation. By expanding the understanding of sick leave to explicitly include mental health needs, this legislation acknowledges the importance of mental wellness in the workplace and provides workers with more flexibility to address their mental health without fear of professional consequences.

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB2790