Noncompete clauses for doctors, physician associates, acupuncturists or anyone licensed by the Oregon Medical Board may end if Oregon Senate Bill 957 becomes law.

State Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, is a sponsor of the bill along with several others.

Noncompete clauses are agreements between a licensee and their employer that basically prevent the doctor or other licensee from leaving their job and starting one doing similar work within a certain period of time or area.

The appeal of noncompete clauses for employers is obvious. It prevents workers with training and experience at a firm from picking up and setting up shop elsewhere and competing against their old workplace. Some of the expertise and secrets the employee picked up at the old job could be used at the new job. In the medical field, noncompete clauses could also help ensure patients get more continuity of care with the same doctor.

But, of course, why should an employer be able to have that much control over an employee’s life even after they leave employment? Noncompete clauses can stifle innovation and lives.

The bill does allow for some exceptions. The intent, though, is clear: Many noncompetes will be gone. We support the idea of Senate Bill 957. You can tell Sen. Broadman what you think by emailing him at Sen.AnthonyBroadman@oregonlegislature.gov.