Takeaways

• Several major new laws, from wage transparency and criminal background checks to expanded protections for vulnerable workers and more, keep Washington State in the forefront of progressive employment legislation.
• Employers should begin preparing now to ensure full compliance with these new laws that take effect in a concentrated three-month period starting in July 2025.
• Employers should also revise internal policies and training materials to reflect expanded anti-discrimination protections and new entitlements related to leave and personnel-file access.

Related link

• Washington State Legislature

Article

Washington State continues to lead in progressive employment legislation with a number of new laws set to take effect in the coming months. These changes span a wide range of employment issues — from wage transparency and personnel records to expanded protections for vulnerable workers. Below are some of the most significant bills by effective date.

Effective July 1, 2025

• Wage Equality and Anti-Discrimination - HB 1905 (2023-2024 Session) significantly expands the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act by extending protections to a broader set of protected classes. Protected classes now include age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, disability, and the use of service animals. Employers must ensure that compensation practices and workplace policies are...

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