Labor & Employment

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1951: Concerning regulation of transportation network companies during large-scale events.

HB 1951 caps fares for transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) during large-scale events, limiting charges to 120% of the driver's pay for prearranged rides. It directly affects passengers using these services at events defined as gatherings of 1,000+ people indoors or 10,000+ people outdoors with defined entrances/exits (excluding school or religious events). The bill requires companies to provide fare estimates before rides and prohibits excessive pricing during events, with "driver's pay" defined as base compensation excluding tolls or tips. This policy aims to prevent price gouging during high-demand gatherings while maintaining existing state preemption over local regulations for transportation network companies.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill caps fares at 120% of driver's pay during events, directly protecting drivers' earnings by ensuring they receive a minimum share of fares, aligning with wage protection indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5027: Establishing a loan repayment program for public defense attorneys and prosecutors.

SB 5027 establishes a Washington state program to repay law school loans for public defense attorneys and prosecutors. To qualify, participants must work full-time (at 80% of the state bar’s standard caseload) in qualifying public defense or prosecution roles for three years. The program provides up to $20,000 annually for three years ($120,000 total), prioritizing rural practitioners if funding is limited. Participants must repay funds if they leave before completing the service period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds public defense attorneys via state loan repayment program, increasing budget allocation for essential legal services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds public defense attorneys to ensure adequate representation, supporting fair criminal justice system and defendant rights through loan repayment program.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides loan repayment assistance ($120k total) to public defense attorneys/prosecutors, enhancing retention and financial stability for specific public sector workers in employment roles.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5336: Concerning protections for isolated employees.

SB 5336 requires employers (including hotels, retail stores, security companies, and property services contractors) to implement specific protections for "isolated employees" - workers like janitors, security guards, and hotel housekeepers who spend most of their time working alone. Key provisions mandate employers to adopt sexual harassment policies, provide mandatory training on preventing harassment and using panic buttons, supply panic buttons to isolated employees, and maintain records of training and button usage. Employers must also submit annual reports on training and work locations to the Department of Labor and Industries. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per repeat willful offense, with enforcement handled through department investigations and citations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates panic buttons, harassment policies, and training for isolated workers, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for vulnerable employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Workplace Safety

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1739: Regulating the use of self-service checkout stations.

HB 1739 regulates self-service checkout stations in Washington state grocery stores over 15,000 square feet. It requires stores to offer at least one manual checkout station for every customer when self-service is available, limit self-service transactions to 15 items (with visible signage), and ensure one employee monitors no more than two self-service stations at a time while relieved from other duties. Stores must also include self-service checkout in workplace hazard analysis for safety programs. The law exempts discount warehouses selling primarily bulk items and imposes daily civil penalties of $100 (capped at $10,000) for violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employee monitoring of self-service stations and includes them in workplace hazard analysis, directly improving safety protocols for workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5369: Enhancing youth mental health and well-being through advanced training and expansion of the workforce in schools.

SB 5369 addresses Washington's critical shortage of school social workers, which currently stands at one worker for every 3,798 students - far below the recommended national standard of one per 250 students. The bill requires educational service districts to partner with universities, mental health agencies, and school districts to expand the workforce through in-school training placements for social work students and conditional certification pathways. It revises statutes to clarify school social workers' roles in providing mental health counseling, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and support for students with individualized education plans. The law directly affects K-12 schools and students, particularly those facing emotional distress, behavioral challenges, or high absenteeism rates, by increasing access to mental health support within educational settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school social worker workforce through partnerships and training, directly addressing K-12 mental health support and staffing shortages per national standards.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands school mental health workforce through training partnerships, directly addressing youth mental health services shortage per its title and summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands school social worker workforce via training placements and certification pathways, creating employment opportunities in mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health Professional Licensing

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1926: Regarding training and testing of home care aides.

This bill requires Washington's Department of Health to collaborate with the Department of Social and Health Services to integrate certification testing into home care aide training programs by July 1, 2028. It mandates that exams include both skills demonstrations and knowledge tests, be administered in applicants' preferred languages, and be offered through facility-based or community training programs. The law affects home care aides seeking certification, their training programs, and the departments overseeing testing standards. It also specifies that testing must be conducted fairly and accessible to all applicants, with annual reviews of language-specific exam results.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires standardized certification for home care aides to improve service quality and access, aligning with healthcare workforce standards and patient care outcomes.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates certification standards including skills testing and language access for home care aides, strengthening employment standards and workplace safety for this workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Professional Licensing

Track

passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1857: Concerning asbestos-containing building materials.

House Bill 1857 updates regulations concerning asbestos-containing building materials in Washington state, primarily impacting manufacturers, distributors, and owners of certain facilities. The bill lowers the definition of an "asbestos-containing building material" from over one percent to over 0.1 percent asbestos by weight or area, effective January 1, 2025, which expands the scope of materials subject to labeling requirements. It mandates that owners of manufacturing facilities (NAICS codes 31-33) conduct regular inspections for asbestos and maintain an asbestos management plan. The bill also amends existing prohibitions on the use of these materials in new construction and renovations, adding an exemption for commercial aggregates.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLowers asbestos threshold to 0.1%, expanding labeling requirements and improving workplace safety protections for workers handling materials, aligning with workplace safety indicators.85% confidence

Track

signed · Washington · House May 12, 2025

HB 1332: Concerning transportation network companies.

HB 1332 concerns transportation network companies (TNCs) and their drivers. The bill requires TNCs to provide drivers with information about which vehicle makes, models, and years are eligible for each ride product class offered. It mandates that TNCs reinstate vehicles that lost eligibility due to age or model type in the prior 12 months for at least another 12 months. Additionally, TNCs must give drivers 120 days' written notice before modifying vehicle age or model type requirements for existing product classes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires TNCs to provide vehicle eligibility info and 120-day notice for changes, protecting drivers' ability to continue working without abrupt loss of platform access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5791: Increasing state funding to expand access to higher education.

This bill amends Washington State's business tax code, establishing new tax rates for various sectors: 0.275% for international investment management, 1.8% for most business activities (with a reduced 1.5% rate for small businesses and hospitals), and 0.9% for aerospace product development. It requires 16.67% of revenue from the 1.8% tax rate to be deposited into a workforce education investment account (RCW 43.79.195), which funds job training and workforce development programs. The bill does not increase funding for higher education; instead, it redirects business tax revenue to workforce education initiatives. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 16.67% of business tax revenue to fund workforce education programs, directly increasing state funding for public services under budget/tax framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates 16.67% of business tax revenue to workforce education account (RCW 43.79.195) specifically for job training and higher education access programs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly funds job training and workforce development programs via tax revenue allocation, advancing employment skills and workforce readiness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Higher Education Workforce Development

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 5682: Concerning the Washington customized employment training program.

Senate Bill 5682 extends a tax credit for businesses participating in the Washington customized employment training program. This credit allows businesses to claim 50% of their payments made to the employment training finance account. The bill moves the tax credit's expiration date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2031, with the goal of aiding in attracting and retaining jobs in Washington. It also updates the reporting requirements for the college board regarding the program's use and distribution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends 50% tax credit for business training program, prolonging tax relief to support job retention and economic development without defunding or restricting budgets.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends tax credit for business training program funding, directly supporting workforce development and job retention through financial incentives for employment standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Workforce Development