Washington State Legislative Update

Presented by Bob Battles, AWB General Counsel and Government Affairs Director Employment Law

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Employment Law Legislative Bills

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HB 1006 (SB 5568) Wage violations, damages for providing damages for wage violations.

HB 1163 Concerning paid vacation leave.

Requires minimum paid vacation leave for Washington workers. Requires the state institute for public policy to evaluate the impact of this act on the economy of the state and the health and well-being of employees.

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HB 1273 implementing family and medical leave insurance.

Allows workers to care for family members with a serious health condition or to recover from their own serious health condition. Expands duties of the employment security department. Requires each employer, for each individual, to pay a premium to the employment security department based on the amount of the employee's wages. Provides a business and occupation tax credit for certain employers. Changes the name of the family leave insurance program to the family and medical leave insurance program. Changes the name of the family leave insurance account to the family and medical leave insurance account.

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HB 1356 (SB 5306) Sick & safe employment leave

Establishing minimum standards for sick and safe leave from employment.

HB 1519 (SB 5566) Employee status enforcement

Simplifying and enforcing employee status under employment laws to ensure fairness to employers and employees and address the underground economy.

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HB 1701 (SB 5608) Job applicants/arrests, etc.Prohibiting employers from asking about arrests or convictions before an applicant is determined otherwise qualified for a position.

HB 1646 (SB 5630) Equal pay and opportunities

Enacting the equal pay opportunity act by amending and enhancing enforcement of the equal pay act and protecting worker communications about wages and employment opportunities.

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HB 1646 (SB 5630)Equal pay and opportunities

Enacting the equal pay opportunity act by amending and enhancing enforcement of the equal pay act and protecting worker communications about wages and employment opportunities.

HB 1354 (SB 5569) Employee antiretaliation

Addresses retaliation and discrimination against employees and providing protection for employees.

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Minimum Wage Legislation

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HB 1355 (SB 5285)Minimum hourly wage increase

Increasing the minimum hourly wage to twelve dollars over four years.

SB 5514 Minimum wage and OT compCreating a good faith defense for certain minimum wage and overtime compensation complaints.

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SB 5421 Teen summer employment wage

Creates a seasonal wage applicable to new employees age fourteen to nineteen who are employed during the summer months.

SB 5422 Temporary teen training wage

Authorizes employers to pay teen training wages to new employees sixteen to nineteen years of age at eighty-five percent of the minimum wage or at the minimum wage rate required under federal law, whichever is greater.

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Worker’ Compensation Legislation

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Questions?