Bill > HB1644

This bill strengthens protections for working minors by introducing comprehensive changes to labor regulations, focusing on safety, health, and employment standards. The bill increases civil penalties for employers who violate minor work regulations, with penalties ranging from $100 to $71,000 depending on the severity of the violation, including significant fines for serious physical harm or death of a minor employee. It requires employers to obtain minor work permits with parental and school authorization, mandates detailed record-keeping, and establishes a system for revoking an employer's ability to hire minors for at least 12 months if they commit serious violations. The legislation also requires the Department of Labor and Industries to conduct safety consultations before granting variances for minors in vocational or apprenticeship programs, provide prompt notification of workplace hazards, and include detailed reporting on citations, penalties, and workplace injuries involving minors. Additionally, the bill makes knowingly violating minor work regulations a potential gross misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the consequences, and introduces provisions for periodic adjustment of penalties for inflation. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, giving employers time to adapt to the new requirements.

Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1644&Year=2025&Initiative=false