OAR 839-005-0000: Purpose and Scope of these Rules

(1) It is the policy of the State of Oregon that unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, disability and other classes protected under Oregon statutes is a matter of state concern and that such discrimination threatens individual rights and privileges and menaces the institutions and foundations of a free democratic state. (2) Prohibited discrimination is a basis of unlawful practices described in ORS Chapter 659A and other chapters of the Oregon statutes. (3) The Civil Rights Division of the Bureau of Labor and Industries (division) is responsible for protecting individual rights through the enforcement of civil rights statutes prohibiting unlawful practices. (4) The purpose of these rules is to implement, interpret and describe the division's approach to civil rights enforcement under the bureau’s jurisdiction. (5) These rules apply to all inquiries and complaints received by the division on or after the effective date of these rules. (6) An individual claiming a violation of the civil rights statutes may file a complaint with the division as provided in OAR 839-003-0025, or 839-003-0200 for complaints alleging housing discrimination filed under ORS 659A.145, 659A.421 or the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §3601–3617).