ORS 180.545: Plain language standards; approval; fees.
Edition: 2025 EditionEffective: 2026-01-01Last verified: 2026-09-07
(1) The agency to whom a consumer contract is submitted under ORS 180.540 shall review the contract to determine whether it complies with plain language standards. A consumer contract complies with plain language standards if it: (a) Uses words that convey meanings clearly and directly; (b) Uses the present tense and active voice whenever possible; (c) Primarily uses simple sentences; (d) Defines only those words that cannot be properly explained or qualified in the text; (e) Explains at the beginning that the form is a contract between parties; (f) Uses margins adequate for ease in reading; and (g) Uses frequent section headings, in a narrative format, to help locate provisions. (2) If the agency determines that the consumer contract complies with the standards in subsection (1) of this section, the agency shall certify to that effect to the seller or extender of credit who submitted the contract for review. (3) An agency reviewing contracts under this section shall charge a reasonable fee for reviewing each consumer contract. The agency may require payment of the fee when the contract is submitted for review. Fees received under this section shall be disposed of as follows: (a) Fees received by the Department of Justice shall be credited to the Department of Justice Operating Account. (b) Fees received by the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services shall be credited to the Consumer and Business Services Fund. [1985 c.587 §§2,7,10]
Official history and status
History: Note: See note under 180.540.
Administrative rules citing this section
- OAR 137-087-0000: Purpose and Implementation — implements
- OAR 137-087-0000: Purpose and Implementation — authority
- OAR 137-087-0005: Definitions — implements
- OAR 137-087-0005: Definitions — authority
- OAR 137-087-0010: Integration With Total Community Response to Domestic Violence — implements
- OAR 137-087-0010: Integration With Total Community Response to Domestic Violence — authority
- OAR 137-087-0015: Interface Standards — Victims and Current Partners — implements
- OAR 137-087-0015: Interface Standards — Victims and Current Partners — authority
- OAR 137-087-0020: Confidentiality of Victim and Partner Information — implements
- OAR 137-087-0020: Confidentiality of Victim and Partner Information — authority
- OAR 137-087-0025: Interface Standards — Victim Advocacy Programs — implements
- OAR 137-087-0025: Interface Standards — Victim Advocacy Programs — authority
- OAR 137-087-0030: Interface Standards — Criminal Justice System — implements
- OAR 137-087-0030: Interface Standards — Criminal Justice System — authority
- OAR 137-087-0035: Interface Standards — Other BIPs — implements
- OAR 137-087-0035: Interface Standards — Other BIPs — authority
- OAR 137-087-0040: Interface Standards — Social Service Interfaces — implements
- OAR 137-087-0040: Interface Standards — Social Service Interfaces — authority
- OAR 137-087-0045: Intervention Strategies — implements
- OAR 137-087-0045: Intervention Strategies — authority
- OAR 137-087-0050: Intervention Curriculum — implements
- OAR 137-087-0050: Intervention Curriculum — authority
- OAR 137-087-0055: Culturally Informed Interventions — implements
- OAR 137-087-0055: Culturally Informed Interventions — authority
- OAR 137-087-0060: Admission Policies and Procedures — implements
- OAR 137-087-0060: Admission Policies and Procedures — authority
- OAR 137-087-0065: BIP Program Format — implements
- OAR 137-087-0065: BIP Program Format — authority
- OAR 137-087-0070: Policies and Procedures as to Termination or Release — implements
- OAR 137-087-0070: Policies and Procedures as to Termination or Release — authority
- OAR 137-087-0075: Post-Release Services — implements
- OAR 137-087-0075: Post-Release Services — authority
- OAR 137-087-0080: Personnel Standards — implements
- OAR 137-087-0080: Personnel Standards — authority
- OAR 137-087-0085: Research Programs — implements
- OAR 137-087-0085: Research Programs — authority
- OAR 137-087-0090: Demonstration Projects (see definition in Section 1) — implements
- OAR 137-087-0090: Demonstration Projects (see definition in Section 1) — authority
- OAR 137-087-0095: Program Review — implements
- OAR 137-087-0095: Program Review — authority
- OAR 137-087-0100: BIP Advisory Committee — implements
- OAR 137-087-0100: BIP Advisory Committee — authority
This rule cites
- ORS 180.540 — resolved
Cited by
- ORS 97.939: Prearrangement or preconstruction sales contracts; contents; delivery.
- ORS 180.520: Duties of department; agency cooperation; Consumer Advisory Council created; membership; compensation and expenses.
- ORS 180.540: Review of consumer contracts for conformity with plain language standards.
- ORS 180.550: Compliance statement.
- ORS 180.555: Exemptions; effect of certification; admissibility.
- ORS 442.610: Notice of financial assistance policies; applications.
Official source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors180.html