Oregon landlords who leak confidential information about tenants such as their immigration status or medical records could soon face financial penalties.
Under House Bill 4123, passed by the Oregon Senate on Monday by a 24-3 vote, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle moved to strengthen existing protections for immigrants without permanent legal status that the Legislature enacted last year. The bill now heads to Gov. Tina Kotek’s desk for final consideration.
The Oregon Capital Chronicle reported that a 2025 Oregon law already ensures that landlords may not discriminate against tenants due to their immigration status while prohibiting release of information about their citizenship with the intent to harass, retaliate against or intimidate. That also includes when a landlord threatens to release such information.
But that law didn’t establish explicit monetary compensation for individuals who are victims of discrimination, instead empowering them to sue in court or challenge discriminatory decisions such as an eviction based on immigration status. Affordable housing, civil rights and domestic-violence survivor advocates have urged lawmakers to support HB 4123 on the grounds that renting in Oregon shouldn’t further expose vulnerable communities.
If a landlord “knowingly violates” the bill’s protections, tenants whose confidential information has been disclosed could recover compensation that equals twice the amount of their monthly rent. Protected information would also include Social Security numbers and medical or disability records.
