Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1644: Concerning the safety and health of working minors.

HB 1644, "Concerning the safety and health of working minors," aims to strengthen protections for young workers in Washington state. The bill amends the criteria for "responsible bidders" on public works contracts, requiring that contractors not have a revoked minor work permit to be eligible for these projects. It also modifies the process for issuing citations to employers who violate requirements related to minor work permits. These provisions are intended to promote adherence to safety and health standards for minors in the workplace.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens minor worker safety by requiring valid permits for public contracts and modifying enforcement, directly protecting young workers' health and safety per summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1068: Removing the exclusion from interest arbitration of Washington management service employees at the department of corrections.

House Bill 1068 removes the exclusion of Washington management service employees at the Department of Corrections from interest arbitration. This change grants these employees access to an alternative process for resolving disputes over their collective bargaining agreements. If negotiations and mediation fail to reach an agreement, an independent arbitrator will be appointed to make a binding decision on the terms of their employment. The arbitrator's decision will consider factors such as the department's financial ability, comparable wages, and the ability to retain employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves exclusion from interest arbitration for correctional management employees, expanding collective bargaining rights through binding arbitration when negotiations fail.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1875: Allowing the use of paid sick leave to prepare for or participate in certain immigration proceedings.

Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1875 expands the reasons for which employees in Washington state can use their accrued paid sick leave. It allows employees to use this leave to prepare for or participate in judicial or administrative immigration proceedings for themselves or a family member. For absences exceeding three days for this purpose, employees can provide verification through documentation from an immigration advocate, attorney, or clergy, or a written statement from the employee, without disclosing sensitive immigration status details. The bill ensures that employees can attend these proceedings without losing pay.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExpands paid sick leave for immigration proceedings, enabling access to legal services without wage loss. Directly supports immigrant rights and access to proceedings.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands paid sick leave usage for immigration proceedings, directly strengthening worker benefits and rights under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1141: Concerning collective bargaining for agricultural cannabis workers.

HB 1141 grants agricultural workers involved in cultivating, growing, harvesting, or producing cannabis the right to collective bargaining. It places these workers and their employers under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC). PERC will oversee the process for employees to organize, elect bargaining representatives, and engage in good faith negotiations with employers on wages, hours, and working conditions. The bill also defines and prohibits unfair labor practices by employers related to these organizing rights.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants cannabis agricultural workers collective bargaining rights under PERC, directly advancing worker organizing and negotiation rights per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 5501: Concerning employer requirements for driving.

Substitute Senate Bill 5501 prohibits employers from requiring a valid driver's license as a condition of employment or in job postings, unless driving is an essential job function or related to a legitimate business purpose. This law directly affects employers and job applicants in Washington state. The bill establishes a process for the director to investigate complaints, allowing for orders of actual and statutory damages (at least $5,000), interest, and investigation costs to the complainant. Employers may also face civil penalties of up to $500 for a first violation and up to $1,000 or 10% of damages for repeat offenses.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits unnecessary driver's license requirements in hiring, protecting applicants from discriminatory barriers and advancing workers' rights under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1821: Expanding the definition of "interested party" for the purposes of prevailing wage laws.

House Bill 1821 expands the definition of an "interested party" under state prevailing wage laws, which govern the wages and benefits for workers on public construction projects. This change broadens who can be recognized as an interested party. The expanded definition now specifically includes contractors, subcontractors, their employees, organizations representing affected workers, joint labor-management committees, and Taft-Hartley trusts, alongside the director of labor and industries. This measure allows a wider range of groups to participate in matters related to prevailing wage compliance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands 'interested party' to include worker organizations, labor committees, and employees, strengthening their role in prevailing wage decisions to protect workers' rights.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1747: Expanding protections for applicants and employees under the Washington fair chance act.

HB 1747 expands protections for job applicants and employees under Washington's Fair Chance Act. The bill prohibits employers from inquiring about an applicant's criminal record until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. It also prevents employers from taking adverse employment action based on arrest records or juvenile conviction records. For adult conviction records, employers must have a legitimate business reason, notify the individual, and provide an opportunity for them to explain or provide additional information before making a decision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands Fair Chance Act to prevent employment discrimination based on criminal records, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands job applicant protections by restricting criminal record inquiries pre-offer and preventing adverse actions based on certain records, strengthening worker rights under Fair Chance Act.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment