Washington Business Fall 2018 | Legislative Review & Vote Record | Page 21

issue area reports | employment & workplace
Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, at center, is ranking member of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, and serves on the Labor & Commerce Committee.
With him are Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, and Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn.
Department of Labor & Industries must
allow claims based on mental conditions
or mental disabilities caused by stress
specifically for law enforcement officers
and firefighters. Specifically, it creates a
special class of workers regarding mental
health claims in industrial insurance
cases. It opens the door to a mental
health claim that has never been allowed
in workers’ compensation cases. This
change will result in increased cost for
all claims. AWB opposed the bill since it
would allow for mental conditions that
are currently excluded from industrial
insurance claims.
Bill considered as part of
AWB’s voting record
general human resource
matters
SSB 5996
encouraging the disclosure
and discussion of sexual
harassment and sexual
assault in the workplace
Passed/AWB Neutral
Substitute Senate Bill 5996, sponsored by
Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, prohibits the
use of nondisclosure agreements in the case
of sexual harassment claims. It prohibits
an employer from requiring an employee,
as a condition of employment, to sign a
nondisclosure agreement that prevents
the employee from disclosing sexual
harassment or sexual assault. It provides
that any nondisclosure agreements that
have the purpose or effect of preventing
Favorable outcome for
Washington businesses
an employee from disclosing or discussing
sexual harassment or sexual assault are
void and unenforceable. It makes it an
unfair practice under the Washington Law
Against Discrimination for an employer to
retaliate against an employee for disclosing
or discussing sexual harassment or sexual
assault. AWB was neutral on this bill.
SSB 6313
concerning an employee’s
right to file a complaint or
cause of action for sexual
harassment or sexual
assault in mandatory
employment contracts and
agreements
Passed/AWB Neutral
Substitute Senate Bill 6313, sponsored by
Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, originally was
Missed Opportunities
special edition 2018
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