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

Added a new section specifying that the act applies to employers with 15 or more employees starting July 1, 2026, and to employers with fewer than 15 employees starting January 1, 2027.

Modified the requirement regarding criminal record inquiries to explicitly state that employers cannot reject applicants for failing to disclose a record before receiving a conditional job offer.

Added a new subsection clarifying that employers may disclose background check requirements after a conditional offer and that applicants may voluntarily disclose criminal records without penalty.

Increased maximum monetary penalties for violations from $750/$1,000 to $1,500/$3,000/$15,000 and clarified that penalties are calculated per aggrieved individual.