Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 49.97 · 14 active provisions
(1) The legislature finds that immigrant workers contribute to Washington state's strong economy. According to research from the immigration research initiative, immigrants account for 15 percent of the population in Washington state, yet contribute 21 percent of economic output, or gross domestic product (GDP). Immigr…
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Affected worker" means a worker identified by the federal agency inspection results to be a worker who may lack federal work authorization, or a worker whose federal work authorization documents or form I-9…
(1) By September 1, 2026, the attorney general shall develop and make available on its website the following:(a) A poster for employers to inform workers of the notice requirements in RCW 49.97.050 and 49.97.060 in English and the five most commonly used non-English languages in the state. The poster must include space…
Every employer shall post and keep posted, in a conspicuous place or places on the premises of the employer where notices to workers are customarily posted, the poster required under RCW 49.97.030(1)(a).
(1) Within five business days of receiving notification from a federal agency of any inspection of I-9 forms and any related worker records, an employer shall provide a written notice to each worker and the worker's authorized representative, if any.(2) The notice under this section must include:(a) A copy of the notic…
(1) Within five business days of its receipt of a written notice of results of an inspection of I-9 forms and any related worker records by a federal agency, an employer shall:(a) Provide to each affected worker and the worker's authorized representative, if any, a copy of the written notice from the federal agency;(b)…
(1) Employers are not required by law to perform form I-9 self-audits. Any form I-9 self-audit must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local antidiscrimination and antiretaliation laws including, but not limited to: 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1324b, 29 U.S.C. Secs. 201–219, 29 U.S.C. Secs. 151–169, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000e…
(1) It is unlawful for an employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of any worker's rights provided under or in connection with this chapter. This means an employer may not use a worker's exercise of any of the rights provided under this chapter as a negative factor in any employment action such as eva…
(1) The attorney general has the authority to:(a) Resolve alleged violations of this chapter through conference and conciliation;(b) Investigate potential violations of this chapter on its own initiative or in response to complaints; and(c) Issue written civil investigative demands for documents, oral testimony, and an…
(1) A worker, former worker, or a person injured by a violation of this chapter or an organization whose membership includes any such person may bring a private cause of action in superior court to enjoin further violations, recover damages, and seek any other equitable relief or appropriate remedy authorized by state…
This chapter may not be interpreted, construed, or applied to restrict or limit an employer's compliance with a memorandum of understanding governing the use of the federal E-Verify system or with federal law and regulations regarding employers' verification of workers' authorization.
If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is found to be in conflict with any other federal or state law or otherwise held invalid, the conflicting or invalid provision is inoperative solely to the extent of such conflict or holding and the remainder of the chapter or the applica…
Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit or affect: (1) The right of any worker to pursue any judicial, administrative, or other action available with respect to an employer; (2) the department of labor and industries' authority to pursue any judicial, administrative, or other action available with respect to…
This act may be known and cited as the immigrant worker protection act.