2011 Oregon Revised Statutes
ORS Volume 14, Chapters 645 - 669
ORS Chapter 656
656.041 City or county may elect to provide coverage for jail inmates.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) Authorized employment means the employment of an inmate on work authorized by the governing body of a city or county.

(b) Inmate means a person sentenced by any court or legal authority, whether in default of the payment of a fine or committed for a definite number of days, to serve sentence in a city or county jail or other place of incarceration except state and federal institutions. Inmate includes a person who performs community service pursuant to ORS 137.128, whether or not the person is incarcerated.

(2) A city or county may elect to have inmates performing authorized employment considered as subject workers of the city or county for purposes of this chapter. Such election shall be made by a written application to the insurer, or in the case of a self-insured employer, the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, that includes a resolution of the governing body declaring its intent to cover inmates as provided in this section and a description of the work to be performed by such inmates. The application shall also state the estimated total number of inmates for which coverage is requested. The county or city shall notify the insurer or director of changes in the estimated total number of inmates performing authorized employment.

(3) Upon receiving the written application the insurer or self-insured employer may fix assumed wage rates for the inmates, which may be used only for purposes of computations under this chapter, and shall require the regular payment of premiums or assessments based upon the estimated total number of such inmates for which coverage is requested. The self-insured employer shall submit such assumed wage rates to the director. If the director finds that the rates are unreasonable, the director may fix appropriate rates to be used for purposes of this section.

(4) The city or county shall maintain a separate list of inmates performing authorized employment. A certified copy of the list shall be furnished the insurer or director upon request. Inmates covered under this section are entitled to the benefits of this chapter and they are entitled to such benefits if injured as provided in ORS 656.202 while performing any duties arising out of and in the course of their participation in the authorized employment, provided the duties being performed are among those described on the application of the city or county.

(5) The filing of claims for benefits under this section is the exclusive remedy of an inmate or a beneficiary of the inmate for injuries compensable under this chapter against a city or county and its officers and employees, regardless of negligence. [1967 c.472 2,3; 1977 c.807 1; 1979 c.815 4; 1981 c.854 7; 1981 c.874 3; 1983 c.706 2]