Bill > SB5104

This bill protects employees from workplace coercion related to immigration status by establishing new legal protections and enforcement mechanisms. The legislation defines "coercion" as threatening to compel or induce an employee to engage in conduct they have a legal right to abstain from, or to abstain from conduct they have a legal right to engage in, specifically when such threats relate to an employee's or their family member's immigration status. Workers who believe they have been subjected to such coercion can file a complaint with the Department of Labor and Industries within 180 days of the alleged coercive action. The department is required to investigate these complaints and can assess civil penalties against employers who violate the law, with penalties ranging from $1,000 for a first violation to $10,000 for subsequent violations. Each act of coercion against an employee is considered a separate violation, and the law ensures confidentiality of personal information about employees. The bill also provides a process for employers to appeal citations, and the penalties will be adjusted for inflation every three years starting in July 2028. The legislation aims to prevent employers from using immigration status as a tool to intimidate or control employees, thereby protecting workers' rights and ensuring fair labor practices.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5104&Year=2025&Initiative=false