Labor & Employment

Senate Bill 5459, also known as the Washington Call Center Jobs Act, requires call center employers with 50 or more workers to provide 120 days' notice to the state before relocating a significant portion (25% or more) of their operations from Washington to a foreign country. Employers who violate this notice requirement may face civil penalties. Furthermore, employers who relocate call center operations to a foreign country become ineligible for state grants or loans for five years. The bill also mandates that state agencies ensure new contracts for call center services are performed entirely within the United States.

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.

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.