Bill
Bill > HB1747
WA HB1747
Expanding protections for applicants and employees under the Washington fair chance act.
summary
Introduced
01/30/2025
01/30/2025
In Committee
03/28/2025
03/28/2025
Crossed Over
03/11/2025
03/11/2025
Passed
04/16/2025
04/16/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/21/2025
04/21/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT Relating to expanding protections for applicants and 2 employees under the Washington fair chance act; amending RCW 3 49.94.005, 49.94.010, and 49.94.030; creating a new section; and 4 prescribing penalties. 5
AI Summary
This bill expands protections for job applicants and employees under the Washington Fair Chance Act by introducing more comprehensive regulations around how employers can use criminal records in hiring and employment decisions. The bill adds several key definitions, including terms like "adult conviction record," "arrest record," and "legitimate business reason," and establishes more detailed requirements for how employers can consider criminal histories. Specifically, employers are now prohibited from automatically excluding individuals with criminal records, cannot ask about criminal history until after initially determining an applicant is qualified, and must provide a written explanation with specific documentation if they decide to take adverse employment action based on a criminal record. The bill requires employers to give applicants at least two business days to explain or provide context about their criminal record before making a final decision. Additionally, the bill increases potential penalties for violations, with escalating monetary sanctions ranging from $1,500 for a first violation to $15,000 for subsequent violations. The new regulations will phase in, applying to employers with 15 or more employees starting July 1, 2026, and to smaller employers beginning January 1, 2027, with the goal of providing more fair employment opportunities for individuals with criminal histories.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Labor and Employment
Sponsors (17)
Lillian Ortiz-Self (D)*,
Liz Berry (D),
Julio Cortes (D),
Darya Farivar (D),
Joe Fitzgibbon (D),
Mary Fosse (D),
Roger Goodman (D),
Mia Gregerson (D),
Natasha Hill (D),
Edwin Obras (D),
Timm Ormsby (D),
Lisa Parshley (D),
Gerry Pollet (D),
Alex Ramel (D),
Julia Reed (D),
Shaun Scott (D),
Jamila Taylor (D),
Last Action
Effective date 7/27/2025. (on 04/21/2025)
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