Bill > SB5662

This bill, titled the "Cannabis Employee Job Retention Act," creates new provisions in Washington state law to ensure job retention for employees of cannabis businesses that undergo a change in control or ownership. The key provisions include: - Requiring incoming cannabis employers to hire from a preferential hiring list provided by the outgoing employer and retain those employees for at least 90 days, maintaining their existing wages and benefits. - Prohibiting retaliation against employees who exercise their rights under the law. - Establishing a complaint and enforcement process through the Department of Labor and Industries, including the ability to investigate violations, issue citations, and impose penalties such as unpaid compensation, liquidated damages, and civil penalties. - Allowing aggrieved employees to bring a private civil action to enforce their rights under the law. - Applying these requirements to cannabis businesses in Washington, with some exceptions for certain social equity licensees. The goal of the bill is to provide job protections for cannabis industry employees, particularly those from communities disproportionately impacted by drug enforcement, during ownership changes in the still-developing industry.

Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5662&Year=2023&Initiative=false