12/20/24 The New Year Brings New Changes to Paid Leave Oregon and OFLA

December 20, 2024

By Ashley Korkeakoski-Sears & Lex Shvartsmann

Effective January 1, 2025, eligible employees will be able to claim Paid Leave Oregon (PLO) benefits to facilitate the legal processes related to placement of a foster child or adoption of a child. Other PLO benefits available during a benefit year are not expanded by this addition.

Currently, the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) provides an additional two weeks of unpaid leave for this purpose pursuant to a temporary amendment that expires on December 31, 2024. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2025, leave to facilitate the legal processes related to placement of a foster child or adoption of a child will no longer be an OFLA qualifying event. Employees seeking leave for this purpose will be able to do so through Paid Leave Oregon only. 

This update to PLO and OFLA adds onto the recent changes that went into effect on July 1, 2024. For information regarding the changes to PLO and OFLA that became effective July 1, 2024, see our February 28 E-Alert.

As we head into the new year, employers should review their employee handbooks to ensure they are updated with the changes to PLO and OFLA that went into effect this year.

For questions regarding the Oregon Family Leave Act or Paid Leave Oregon or any other employment matters, contact Ashley Korkeakoski-Sears at 503-276-2132 or asears@barran.com.