Concerning workplace standards and requirements applicable to employers of isolated employees.

The bill number changed from H-1238.1 to H-1733.1, and the title changed from 'Substitute House Bill' to 'Second Substitute House Bill'.

The definition of an 'isolated employee' was modified to require that coworkers or supervisors be unable to respond to an emergency without being summoned by the employee.

A new provision was added stating that if specific funding for the act is not provided by June 30, 2025, the entire act becomes null and void.

The bill was transferred from the House Labor & Workplace Standards committee to the House Appropriations committee, and the effective date in the text was updated to January 1, 2026.

Added a new provision to RCW 49.60.180 prohibiting discrimination against employees for failing to provide a panic button.

Changed the reporting frequency for property services contractors from quarterly to annual.

Added specific technical requirements for panic buttons, including ease of activation, location tracking, and resistance to disabling.

Added a requirement for employers to document panic button purchases and utilization.

Expanded the department's authority to investigate violations proactively, not just based on complaints.

Increased civil penalties for repeat willful violators, with a maximum of $10,000 per violation.

Changed the destination of collected penalties from the general fund to the supplemental pension fund.

Added a new definition for 'repeat willful violator' to determine penalty tiers.

Removed the original effective dates for compliance (2020 and 2021) and replaced them with a new effective date of January 1, 2026.