Bill > HB1155

This bill, effective June 30, 2027, prohibits all noncompetition agreements, which are contracts that prevent an employee or independent contractor from engaging in lawful work, regardless of when they were signed or the worker's earnings. It clarifies that nonsolicitation agreements, which prevent employees from actively soliciting current customers or employees to leave the company, are still permissible but must be narrowly interpreted, and they cannot prohibit the acceptance of business from a customer. The bill also makes it illegal for employers to enforce, attempt to enforce, or threaten to enforce noncompetition agreements, or even to represent that an employee is subject to one. Employers must make reasonable efforts to notify current and former employees whose contracts included noncompetition agreements that these are now void. Violations of this chapter can result in the violator paying the aggrieved person the greater of their actual damages or a $5,000 penalty, plus legal fees. The bill repeals existing laws related to when noncompetition agreements are void for independent contractors and adjustments to dollar amounts, as well as a specific law regarding noncompetition agreements for broadcasting industry employees.

Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1155&Year=2025&Initiative=false