Signed by Governor Kate Brown

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that prohibits summoning a police officer with intent to cause specified harm.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual to bring a civil action for damages against anyone who knowingly causes a police officer to go to a location to contact another person, with the intent to (Sec. 1):

• Infringe on that person’s rights under the Oregon or United States Constitutions;

• Illegally discriminate against this individual;

• Prompt feelings of harassment, humiliation or embarrassment in this individual;

• Instigate the removal of this individual from a place in which this person is lawfully located; or

• Damage this individual’s reputation and or standing within the community, or financial, economic, consumer or business prospects and interests.

• Authorizes any individual that prevails in these actions to collect (Sec. 1):

• Special and general damages, including damages for emotional distress;

• Statutory damages of $250 against each defendant found guilty under this section; and

• Punitive damages. 

• Authorizes the court to award reasonable attorney fees to the individual filing charges, in an action under this section (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a civil action under this section to be brought in the small claims department of a circuit court if the damages are not more than the jurisdictional limit of the small claims department (Sec. 1).