Bill > HB2190

This bill amends the existing law regarding collective bargaining for language access providers, who are interpreters providing spoken language services for various state agencies. The bill establishes three statewide bargaining units for language access providers: one for social and health services and children's services appointments, another for injured workers and crime victims, and a third for interpreters serving other state agencies. The bill limits collective bargaining to specific economic matters such as payment rates, professional development, labor-management committees, grievance procedures, and health benefits, explicitly excluding retirement benefits. The governor is designated as the public employer for bargaining purposes, but the legislature retains the right to approve or reject funding for negotiated agreements. The bill also specifies that language access providers are public employees only for collective bargaining purposes and do not have the right to strike. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that, in the event of a conflict between an executive order, administrative rule, or agency policy and a collective bargaining agreement, the agreement will generally prevail, with the caveat that any provision conflicting with existing statutes will be invalid. The bill aims to provide clear guidelines for collective bargaining for language access providers while maintaining legislative oversight and flexibility.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2190&Year=2025&Initiative=false