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House passes bill barring employers from requiring applicants' age data before initial interview
Summary
Lawmakers approved House Bill 31 87 to prohibit employers from requiring an applicant's age, date of birth, or graduation/attendance dates prior to the initial interview, except when age is a bona fide job requirement.
Representative Sosa sponsored House Bill 31 87 on third reading, describing it as a measure to reduce age discrimination in hiring by preventing employers from requiring an applicant to supply age, date of birth, or graduation/attendance dates before an initial interview unless that information is a bona fide job requirement or required by law.
Sosa said the bill does not prevent employers from asking about experience or qualifications and framed it as aligning Oregon with other states that have similar application protections. "This bill addresses this problem by prohibiting an employer from requiring an applicant to enter their age, their date of birth, or their date of graduation or attendance at an institution prior to the initial interview," Representative Sosa said.
Representatives Smith and Chai Chi spoke in support, citing survey data and the disproportionate effect on older workers, women of color, and low‑income jobseekers. Representative Smith cited an AARP survey showing many older workers have seen or experienced age discrimination and stressed bipartisan support for updating state law.
There was no recorded floor opposition in the transcript excerpt. The clerk announced that House Bill 31 87 received the constitutional majority and was declared passed.
The bill will proceed to the Senate for consideration.
