Bill > SB5101

This bill expands legal protections for workers who are victims of hate crimes by amending existing state laws to include "hate crime" alongside domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in workplace leave and safety accommodation provisions. Specifically, the bill defines "hate crime" as offenses described in RCW 9A.36.080, including those committed through online or internet-based communication. The legislation enables employees who are victims of hate crimes to take reasonable leave from work for purposes such as seeking legal assistance, obtaining medical treatment, accessing social services, participating in safety planning, and relocating. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees who are victims of hate crimes, and must provide reasonable safety accommodations unless doing so would cause undue hardship. The bill also requires employers to maintain confidentiality of information provided by employees and allows employees to verify their status as a hate crime victim through various means, such as police reports, court documents, or written statements. The new provisions aim to help victims maintain economic independence, cope with the effects of hate crimes, and participate in justice processes without fear of adverse workplace consequences. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.