Immigration

HB 2105 requires Washington employers to notify workers within 72 hours if federal agencies plan I-9 form or worker record inspections. It mandates posting notices in five common non-English languages at workplaces, sending written notices to workers' last known addresses, and sharing federal inspection results with affected workers. The law directly affects all Washington employers and immigrant workers who may face federal immigration verification checks. Key provisions include multilingual notice requirements, timelines for employer communication, and a template for compliance developed by the Attorney General. This bill creates a formal process for transparency during federal I-9 audits, aiming to protect workers' rights during inspections.

This bill requires Washington county and municipal jails to have written contracts with the U.S. government before accepting individuals held in federal custody. Jails may temporarily accept federal detainees for 180 days after the law takes effect while securing a contract, but must have one in place for all new admissions afterward. Contracts must include a minimum daily fee based on existing interlocal agreements, and jails may still accept federal detainees without a contract if they determine it serves public safety interests. The bill directly affects local jails that currently hold federal detainees without formal agreements.

HB 1296, "Promoting a safe and supportive public education system," enacts new requirements for public schools, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools in Washington. The bill prioritizes student safety, access to education free of discrimination, and privacy within the school system. It expands protected characteristics to include ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, and neurodivergence in anti-discrimination policies. Furthermore, the bill mandates that schools develop and share a "Statement of Student Rights" through educational and promotional materials, including civics education, to inform students of their entitlements.