Bill > SB5756

This bill enhances protections for working minors by establishing a comprehensive system of penalties and requirements for employers. The legislation amends existing law to create a detailed penalty structure for violations related to minor employment, with civil penalties ranging from $100 for minor infractions like work permit issues to $71,000 for serious violations resulting in physical harm or death to a minor. The bill introduces a tiered penalty system that considers factors such as the willfulness of the violation, employer size, minor's age, and the gravity of the violation. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers can have their minor work permits revoked for repeated safety violations, with a minimum 12-month prohibition on obtaining new permits. For employers seeking variances to allow minors to perform typically prohibited work duties, the department must now conduct a safety consultation and discuss specific tools and practices permitted under the variance. The legislation also requires the department to include detailed reporting on citations, penalties, permit revocations, and workplace injuries involving minors in its annual report, with provisions for inflation-adjusted penalties beginning in July 2027. These changes aim to strengthen workplace safety protections for young workers by creating more stringent oversight and consequences for employers who fail to comply with minor employment regulations.

Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5756&Year=2025&Initiative=false