OAR 137-020-0100: Plain Language

(1) Definitions: For purposes of this rule: (a) “Department” is defined as Oregon Department of Justice; (b) “Consumer Contract” is defined in ORS 180.540(3) and does not include contracts which state agencies other than the Department may review under 180.540(2); (c) “Reasonable Fees” includes the prevailing billing rate which the Department has established in OAR 137-008-0010. (2) Application: Any seller or extender of credit may submit a consumer contract to the Department by: (a) Completing an application for review. The application may be obtained by calling or writing the Financial Fraud Section, 100 Justice Building, Salem, OR 97310, (503) 378-4732; (b) Including a $250 fee for each contract to be reviewed, and such additional “reasonable fees” as the Department determines is necessary to review the contract; (c) Submitting three copies of the contract to be reviewed; (d) Underlining in red any words, phrases or provisions which are specifically required, recommended or endorsed by a state or federal statute, rule or regulation. (3) Review: After a contract is submitted the Department will: (a) Return the contract and the fee if the Department determines that the contract submitted for review is not a consumer contract; or (b) Certify the consumer contract meets Oregon Plain Language guidelines if it meets the standards set forth in ORS 180.540, et seq.; (c) Inform the person submitting the contract that the contract does not comply with Oregon’s Plain Language Standard. The Department shall provide a brief explanation of its determination. The explanation need not include every reason for non-compliance and corrections of each stated deficiency will not assure compliance; (d) Return any fees charged over and above the initial $250 filing fee to the extent the fee exceeded the cost of review. (4) Certification: Certification of a consumer contract under this rule is not an approval of the contract’s legality or legal effect. The fact that a consumer contract has been certified or not certified shall not be admissible in any action to interpret or enforce a contract or any term of a contract. (5) No person may use a contract which represents it meets Oregon’s Plain Language guidelines unless the person has received certification of the contract pursuant to this rule. (6) Any oral or written reference to the Department’s certification must be accompanied by the following statement: The Department of Justice Certification of a contract under the Plain Language Contract Act is not an approval of the contract’s legality or legal effect.