issue area reports | labor and employment law job being posted;( 2) second, judges will now have discretion over the damage awards in these cases; and( 3) third, for the next two years, if an employer receives notice of an allegedly deficient job posting, the employer can correct the job posting within 5 days and then be immune to administrative or judicial penalties.
SB 5463 workers’ compensation good faith & fair dealing
Passed / AWB Opposed
sponsor: Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle
This bill requires self-insured employers to act in good faith and with fair dealing when administering their workers’ compensation claims. While it sounds innocuous on its face, AWB was highly concerned about the potential ripple effects of this legislation, particularly given that L & I would be making the determination about what constitutes“ good faith and fair dealing” and if an employer is found to have violated the requirement, they could be removed from the self-insurance program. The uncertainty created by this could potentially have negative impacts for all self-insured employers. AWB will continue to monitor this as the bill is implemented.
SB 5217 pregnancy accommodation
Passed / AWB Neutral sponsor: Sen. T’ wina Nobles, D-Fircrest
SB 5217 is an expansion to the state’ s existing legal framework regarding accommodations for pregnant and lactating workers. The bill requires all employers
Sen. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, is vice chair, operating, of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
to reasonably accommodate pregnancy and lactation, including more frequent restroom breaks, ability to sit down, carry a water bottle, etc. Additionally, employers are now required to pay an employee for travel time to / from a private location to express milk during work if the employer does not have a private location other than a bathroom.
SB 5501 job postings and drivers’ licenses
Passed / AWB Neutral sponsor: Sen. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell
This bill prohibits employers from requiring a job applicant to possess a valid driver’ s license to be hired for a job unless driving is an essential function of the job.
HB 1747 expansion of washington fair chance act
Passed / AWB Neutral sponsor: Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo
Under current law, employers can pull a background check on a job applicant at the time of a job interview. HB 1747 pushes that timeline back to the time of a conditional offer of employment, with the offer conditioned on successful completion of the background check. Additionally, this bill prohibits employers from taking adverse action against a current employee or job applicant based on their arrest record, unless the arrest remains pending and the employee has been released on their own recognizance or is out on bail.
Bill considered as part of AWB’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
special edition 2025 11