2020 legislative review
ESSB 5473 unemployment benefits
Passed / AWB Neutral
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5473 was sponsored by Sen . Rebecca Saldaña , D-Seattle . The original version of the bill would have modified the term good cause for unemployment purposes to include that the separation was necessary because care for a child or vulnerable adult in the claimant ’ s care is inaccessible ; or that alteration to the claimant ’ s usual work shifts making care for a child or vulnerable adult inaccessible . AWB was opposed to the bill initially . Ultimately , the bill was amended to address several other bills that were proposed in the 2020 session . ( Other bills included in the amended study bill are Senate Bill 6235 and Senate Bill 6620 ) The amended bill that passed requires the Employment Security Department to study the impacts to the unemployment trust fund and employer contributions for unemployment insurance by allowing exceptions to provisions disqualifying individuals from receiving unemployment benefits for leaving work voluntarily without good cause related to :
( 1 ) inaccessible care for a child or vulnerable adult ; ( 2 ) substantial increases in job duties or working conditions without commensurate increase in pay ; ( 3 ) separation from a minor child . The companion bill was House Bill 1445 , sponsored by Rep . Mia Gregerson , D-Des Moines . AWB was opposed to the original Senate bill but was neutral after the amendment .
ESSB 6122 protecting temporary workers
Failed / AWB Neutral
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6122 was sponsored by Sen . Karen Keiser , D-Kent . The original bill would have required a staffing agency , before the assignment of an employee to a worksite employer , to visit the worksite to review the safety and health practices and hazards , and to provide training or ensure training is provided . AWB opposed this original version since it required the agency to become the expert on site-specific safety . The amended bill would have established specific standards under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act for staffing agencies and worksite employers . It would have made site-specific training the responsibility of the company hiring the temporary worker . With this change AWB became neutral .
ESSB 6217 concerning minimum labor standards for certain employees working at an airport or air navigation facility
Passed / AWB Neutral
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6217 , sponsored by Sen . Karen Keiser , D-Kent , provided that the Revised Airports Act does not prohibit a municipality that operates or controls an airport from enacting a minimum labor standard that applies to employees that work at the airport or other property owned by the municipality . AWB
Rep . Mike Sells , D-Everett , is chair of the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee .
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