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News Release

Student Loan Ombuds Focused On Helping Borrowers Navigate Shifting Rules, Changes In Repayment Laws (Photo) -07/14/25

Salem – Student loan borrowers faced significant confusion and frustration this past year in navigating the shifting landscape of loan repayment and forgiveness programs, according to a new report issued by Oregon’s student loan ombuds. Federal student loan repayment and forgiveness options continued to be challenged in court and intermittently available, according to the report.

Lane Thompson, who has served as Oregon’s student loan ombuds since the position’s creation more than three years ago, said the past year has been the most challenging yet.

“Because the rules continue to change, it leads to frustration and confusion for both borrowers and servicers. The ongoing nature of the changes has compounded these sentiments from borrowers,” Thompson said. “Forced collections resumed in May, so many borrowers are feeling the potential consequences of their student loan debt for the first time in five or more years. Another change, announced since the report was published, will also result in additional costs for borrowers.”

Part of the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, the student loan ombuds is tasked with helping guide borrowers through their options and navigate the confusing student loan landscape. Thompson recently posted the program’s third annual report.

Two major takeaways from the report are:

  • Servicers are difficult to reach.
  • People pursuing federal loan benefits – who tend to be low income, public servants, and people with disabilities – are most affected by servicers’ lack of clarity

Going into year four, Thompson said she is hopeful that her work will help keep servicers on track during a time when financial entities have less federal oversight.

“The continuously changing rules result in less clear expectations for servicers, and makes regulatory oversight even more crucial. The chilling effect created by federal changes means state regulators are more important than ever,” Thompson said. “Helping people understand their rights and responsibilities is also key.”

Thompson said the other area where her position is having an effect is in helping student loan borrowers avoid scams.

“Scam attempts increase during times of financial upheaval, and one goal of the licensure structure is to help Oregon’s consumers check the legitimacy of collection attempts,” she added.

Thompson said she has resolved more complaints and participated in more advocacy this past year than previous years.

“Not every state has a student loan ombuds/advocate,” she said. “When there is a lack of clarity at the federal level, state level advocates and regulators can serve as a backstop for borrowers who have issues with the servicing of their student loans. I feel lucky to serve Oregonians in these times.”

If you have questions about your student loans or issues with your loan providers, contact Thompson at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or dfr.bankingproducthelp@dcbs.oregon.gov. Check a student loan servicer license at NMLSConsumeraccess.org.

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Attached Media Files: DFR-logo-blue.jpg,

As Temperatures Rise, Oregon OSHA Reminds Employers To Safeguard Workers Against The Dangers Of Heat Illness (Photo) -07/10/25

As temperatures rise and the risk of heat illness in the workplace increases, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) reminds employers to follow requirements designed to help protect workers from the hazards of extreme heat. The division offers free resources to help employers comply with requirements.
 

Under Oregon’s heat illness prevention rule, employers must implement protective measures, including  adequate water, rest, shade, acclimatization (gradual adaptation to working in the heat), communication and training, and emergency plans. The rule applies to workplaces whenever an employee is working and the heat index equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. More provisions apply when the heat index exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
 

“Employers need to take the dangers of high heat seriously by planning ahead, engaging their employees about the hazards, and following the heat rule’s provisions,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA.
 

The heat illness prevention requirements apply across industries and where employers provide housing as a condition of employment. Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace and the right to raise concerns free of retaliation. Under the law, employers must maintain safe and healthy working conditions.
 

Oregon OSHA urges employers to refresh their knowledge of the requirements:

All heat illness prevention resources are available on Oregon OSHA's A-to-Z topic index page. They include a video training in English and Spanish that satisfies certain training elements of the heat rule.
 

Oregon OSHA also offers:
 

Consultation services – provides free and confidential help with safety and health programs, including how to control and eliminate hazards, and hands-on training. The services involve no fault, no citations, and no penalties.

Technical staff – helps employers understand requirements and how to apply them to their worksites

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, which includes Oregon OSHA as a division, maintains the Multicultural Communications Program that provides outreach to communities with limited English proficiency. That outreach encompasses information about on-the-job safety and health.
 

The Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers provides help with understanding workplace safety and health rights, and workers’ compensation rights.

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

AARP To Host Interim Insurance Commissioner Keen On Teletown Hall Event July 10 (Photo) -07/09/25

Salem – Interim Insurance Commissioner TK Keen will be a guest on AARP’s teletown hall on Thursday, July 10, to talk about a variety of insurance-related topics facing Oregonians in 2025. Topics will range from what types of insurance people should carry to long-term care insurance to rental and home insurance, along with other topics from people around the state.

The town hall will be virtual, but is live and callers can call in and ask questions. Keen also doubles as the administrator of the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), which regulates not only the insurance markets, but also financial institutions, student and payday loans, pawn shops, and many other areas.

“I’m looking forward to coming on and helping explain the different types of insurance that is available to Oregonians,” Keen said. “We know seniors are often targeted for scams, or may not know everything that is available for them and I’m looking forward to providing more information.”

The town hall will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 10. People can listen live on AARP’s Facebook page or call in to ask questions at 855-962-1510. The event will last one hour.

DFR reminds all Oregonians if they believe they are not being treated fairly by their insurance company or financial institution, or may have been the victim of a scam, to contact one of our consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Attached Media Files: DFR-logo-blue.jpg,

Apply Now For Oregon OSHA Grant Program Focused On Expanding Worker Safety Training, Education Opportunities (Photo) -07/07/25

Salem – Training and educating Oregon workers is essential to creating and maintaining safe and healthy workplaces. To help expand training and education opportunities, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) offers a grant program that funds ideas to improve the safety and health of Oregon workers in high-hazard industries. And we are ready to help you transform your ideas into results.

The division is accepting grant applications to create innovative workplace safety or health training or education projects. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3. Oregon OSHA prioritizes  projects that engage workers on essential workplace safety or health topics. Projects may include an immersive training video or a well-designed safety publication or a multi-media package of best practices for a specific job task.

Go online to learn about how to apply or contact Theodore (Ted) Bunch at 971-375-8001 or email theodore.bunch@dcbs.oregon.gov.  

The grant program focuses on high-hazard industries in Oregon, including forestry, construction, and agriculture. A grant application may concentrate on a specific work process, targeting a reduction or elimination of related hazards. Any labor or employer group, educational institution that is affiliated with a labor or employer group, or other nonprofit entity may apply.

Grants may not be used to pay for projects that are purely for research, ongoing activities, or for activities required by law. Only new or substantially expanded projects will be considered for funding. Oregon OSHA is seeking project ideas that advance workplace safety and health training or education. We are not looking for ideas that handle concerns that have already been addressed. Materials produced by grant recipients cannot be sold for profit. All grant materials become available to the public. Depending on the type of project, some materials will be housed in the Oregon OSHA Resource Center while some will be available online.

Some examples of past grant projects include:

  • Translation into Spanish of pesticide labels used in reforestation in Oregon and Washington
  • Development of a series of toolbox talks addressing suicide prevention in the construction industry
  • A virtual reality training for health care providers to help identify hazards related to infection control and prevention in hospitals
  • Creation of safe-design guidelines for anchoring systems used as part of logging operations
  • An educational program for nurses to prevent ergonomic-related injuries
  • Videos and related training aids describing the most prevalent health hazards in construction: silica, lead, noise, and asbestos
  • Spanish-language flip charts designed to help prevent heat illness among forest workers

The Oregon Legislature launched the Occupational Safety and Health Education and Training Grant Program in 1990. Award recommendations are made by Oregon OSHA’s Safe Employment Education and Training Advisory Committee, a group with members from business, labor, and government.

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Attached Media Files: Oregon OSHA logo,