Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

HB 1843 repeals a state law that previously disqualified students attending school or higher education from receiving unemployment insurance benefits. This change directly affects students who are enrolled in educational programs and seeking unemployment benefits due to job loss. The bill removes the barrier that prevented these students from qualifying for benefits solely based on their enrollment status. As a result, students meeting other eligibility criteria (like recent work history) would no longer be automatically disqualified for attending school. The bill passed the House committee with majority support in February 2025.

This bill changes Washington's unemployment insurance rules for part-time workers, effective August 3, 2025. It revises the definition of "suitable work" for part-time workers (those who earned wages in at least 40 base-year weeks with an average of under 35 weekly hours) to require them to seek work matching their historical average hours, rather than the previous 17-hour limit. It also adds protections: workers needing to care for family members or address domestic violence/stalking may not lose benefits for seeking at least 20-hour workweeks instead of full-time. The policy directly affects part-time workers who qualify under these new base-year criteria.

HB 1773 creates a state-administered wage replacement program for Washington workers excluded from traditional unemployment insurance, such as gig workers, domestic workers, and others not covered by standard UI. It directly affects eligible residents who meet specific Washington residency requirements (e.g., utility bills, school enrollment, or state ID) and experienced job loss. Key provisions include establishing a dedicated wage replacement account for funding payments, requiring the state to contract a third-party administrator to process applications and disburse funds, and forming an advisory committee with worker, immigrant, and employer representation. The program aims to provide financial support during unemployment for this excluded group, with implementation required by July 2026.