SEATTLE — Ringing in a new year means new laws will go into effect in Washington state. From employment changes to workplace safety and financial assistance, here's what you should know about the new laws going into effect Jan. 1.
Employment
Changes to paid sick leave for app drivers (SB 5793)
The new legislation expands the use of paid sick leave to employees and TNC (transportation network company) drivers, like Uber and DoorDash, when their child's school or place of care closes due to an emergency declaration by local, state, or federal authorities.
The definition of "family member" for paid sick leave purposes is broadened to include individuals who regularly reside in the employee's home or for whom the employee provides care, including a child’s spouse, as well as a grandchild and grandparent.
TNC drivers are similarly included in the definition, allowing them to take sick leave for family-related emergencies. The Department of Labor and Industries is tasked with developing materials and conducting outreach to educate businesses and individuals about these changes.
Stay at Work Program enhancements (HB 2127)
The new law enhances the Stay at Work Program by increasing reimbursement amounts for employers who support employees returning to work with temporary disabilities.
Reimbursements now cover 50% of an employee's basic wages for up to 120 workdays, with a maximum of $25,000. Additionally, the program provides up to $2,000 for tuition and related educational expenses, $1,000 for clothing, and $5,000 for tools or equipment. Modifications to the Stay at Work Account allow payments for approved basic skills development training.
The law introduces funding for basic skills development for workers returning with permanent disabilities, including English language training, computer literacy, and other essential skills. Furthermore, the maximum reimbursements for job modifications and vocational rehabilitation accommodations are increased to $10,000.
The Preferred Worker Program, which incentivizes employers to hire workers with disabilities, now offers higher reimbursements for wages, tools, and clothing, and a $25,000 one-time payment for continuous employment.
Defining which healthcare employees can be required to work overtime (HB 2061)
The new law revises the definition of "employee" in healthcare settings, removing references to licensed practical nurses, technologists, and specialists.
As a result, the mandatory overtime prohibition now applies to employees who are involved in direct patient care or clinical services, receive an hourly wage, or are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
This update will apply to most healthcare facilities starting January 1, 2025. However, the new definition will take effect on July 1, 2025, for specific facilities, including critical access hospitals, hospitals with fewer than 25 acute care beds, sole community hospitals, and hospitals located on islands within Skagit County.
Physician assistant collaborative practice (HB 2041)
The legislation clarifies the practice parameters for physician assistants (PAs), requiring them to work under written collaboration agreements with one or more physicians.
These agreements must outline the PA's duties, supervision, and collaboration procedures, ensuring tasks fall within the PA’s education, training, and experience.
PAs with fewer than 4,000 hours of postgraduate clinical practice must work under supervision, while those with 4,000 or more hours may practice with greater autonomy, provided they meet specific training criteria. Additionally, PAs with significant experience may continue practicing in rural or underserved areas outside their physician’s specialty.
The legislation allows health carriers to reimburse employers directly for services rendered by PAs, ensuring equal coverage for PA-provided services as those delivered by physicians. The Commission and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery are tasked with creating rules to enforce these provisions.
Crime & Justice
Imposing criminal penalties for negligent driving involving the death of a vulnerable individual (HB 1112)
The new law establishes two offenses related to negligent driving that endangers vulnerable users of public roads.
A vulnerable road user includes pedestrians, bicyclists, scooter riders, skateboarders, horseback riders, moped operators, motorcyclists, wheelchair users and individuals operating farm equipment.
The first offense, "Negligent Driving with a Vulnerable User Victim in the first degree," is classified as a gross misdemeanor. It occurs when a driver operates a vehicle negligently, endangers or is likely to endanger others, and causes the death of a vulnerable user of a public way. Penalties for this offense include up to 364 days in jail, a fine between $1,000 and $5,000, and a 90-day suspension of driving privileges.
Additionally, the offense of "Negligent Driving in the second degree with a Vulnerable User Victim" is renamed and modified to reflect a more serious scope. This infraction now occurs when negligent driving causes great or substantial bodily harm to a vulnerable user of a public way.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission will produce educational materials about the offense and its penalties.
Establishing a reporting hotline and tracking hate crimes and bias incidents (SB 5427)
The new piece of legislation mandates the creation of a hate crimes and bias incidents hotline overseen by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) to assist individuals targeted or affected by such incidents.
The hotline will operate during business hours and provide victim-centered, culturally competent, and trauma-informed support. It will be accessible to residents across Washington state, including those with limited language proficiency.
If a hate crime or bias incident is reported, the hotline will ask if the individual has contacted law enforcement and, with the victim's consent, share incident details with local authorities.
Law enforcement agencies must refer victims to the hotline, and the AGO will work with local service providers to offer appropriate resources. An advisory committee will help shape the hotline’s operation and priorities. Additionally, the AGO will publish an annual report on hate crimes and bias incidents starting in 2027.
The hotline will begin as a pilot program in at least three counties, including one in eastern Washington, by July 1, 2025, with statewide implementation by January 1, 2027.
Creation of a hope card program (HB 1766)
The new law directs the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to develop a "Hope Card" program in collaboration with various judicial and law enforcement associations.
The Hope Card, which must be in a scannable electronic format such as a barcode or QR code, will contain crucial details about both the restrained person and the protected individual(s), including names, birthdates, physical descriptions, and relevant protection order information.
The card will serve as an official record of the protection order, including case history, and will have the same legal effect as the order itself.
Starting July 1, 2025, individuals with valid protection orders—such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking orders—can request a Hope Card from the issuing court clerk at no charge for the initial card and one duplicate.
Workplace safety
Requiring AEDs to be available during work on high voltage lines and equipment (HB 1542)
The new law mandates employers whose employees operate, maintain, or construct high-voltage lines, or conduct line-clearance tree-trimming near such equipment, must ensure the availability and proper maintenance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on job sites.
Employers must make an AED accessible when work is performed by two or more employees in close proximity to high-voltage lines or equipment. Additionally, employers must conduct regular maintenance and annual inspections to ensure the AED is operational.
Employers are required to provide or facilitate training for at least two employees per site to ensure proficiency in the proper and safe use of the AED, with proficiency being defined as having completed initial or updated training within the last two years.
Identification
Improving access to Department of Licensing issued documents (SB 5800)
The new law introduces several changes related to driver’s licenses and identification cards.
A "responsible adult" is now added to the list of individuals who can sign the application for an intermediate driver’s license, as well as for those under 18 applying for a driver’s license or motorcycle endorsement, regardless of whether a parent or guardian is involved.
A responsible adult must be over 21 and can be authorized based on a familial, kinship, or caretaker relationship to the minor, or by being a professional providing support in areas like education, medical care, or social services.
Additionally, the legislation removes the requirement for individuals receiving public assistance grants to get a written referral from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) when applying for an at-cost identification card.
Participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program are now included in those eligible for an at-cost identification card. The Department of Licensing (DOL) is granted broader authority to determine documentation requirements for these individuals.
The law has tasked DOL with conducting a study on the feasibility of offering reduced-fee identification cards, with a report due by December 1, 2025, covering issues like cost, eligibility, and impacts on families and state resources.
State identification cards for persons in state custody or care (HB 2099)
The new legislation mandates the Department of Corrections (DOC) ensure all consenting incarcerated individuals who have been confined for at least 60 days obtain a valid identification card or driver's license from the Department of Licensing (DOL) before their release.
The DOC is responsible for covering the application fee, providing a photo, and securing an acceptable signature. Individuals may request their photo not be their mug shot.
Similarly, state hospitals and mental health facilities under the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must ensure patients have valid identification cards before release, with the same procedural requirements as the DOC.
Elections
Changes to local voters' pamphlets (HB 1272)
The bill amends existing laws and outlines specific rules for the appointment of individuals to write arguments for and against ballot measures in local voters' pamphlets.
People appointed must reside within the jurisdictional boundaries, and if the legislative authority fails to make these appointments on time, the county auditor will issue a media release and appoint individuals on a first-come, first-served basis.
If no statements are submitted, the auditor must include a note in the pamphlet.
For cities, towns, or special districts across multiple counties, all relevant information must be included in the voters' pamphlets of each county and submitted to the county auditor overseeing the filing.
Additionally, the maximum fine for distributing misleading campaign materials resembling a voters' pamphlet has been increased to up to $5 per copy or $10,000, whichever is greater. Minor language changes were made to the original legislation.
Health
Increasing access to HIV post-exposure prophylaxis drugs or therapies (SB 6127)
The new law requires hospitals to adopt a policy, in line with CDC guidelines, for dispensing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) drugs to patients who may have been exposed to HIV.
This policy mandates hospitals provide a 28-day supply of PEP medications, with the patient's informed consent, unless there are medical contraindications or inconsistencies with accepted care standards.
Starting in 2025, non-grandfathered health plans, including those for public employees and Medicaid, cannot impose cost-sharing or prior authorization requirements for at least one CDC-recommended HIV PEP regimen. Health plans with health savings accounts (HSAs) must set cost-sharing amounts to maintain tax-exempt contributions.
Furthermore, health plans and Medicaid must reimburse hospitals separately for the 28-day supply of PEP drugs dispensed in emergency departments for take-home use.
Financial assistance
Expanding assistance for individuals who are eligible for temporary assistance (HB 2415)
The Washington State Legislature increased the amount families can receive under the Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA) program.
The DCA program provides brief, emergency financial support to families in crisis who qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) based on their income and resources.
Designed as an alternative to TANF, the program offers up to $2,000 per family, up from $1,500, once every 12 months to cover expenses such as child care, housing, transportation, food, medical costs, and employment-related needs.
Consumer protection
Banning the sale of cosmetics tested on animals (HB 1097)
Starting January 1, 2025, Washington state will ban the sale of cosmetics developed or manufactured using animal testing conducted or contracted by the manufacturer or its suppliers, with specific exceptions.
Cosmetics tested outside the U.S. to meet foreign regulations or those tested for non-cosmetic products may still be sold, provided the testing evidence isn't used to support the safety of the cosmetic. Additionally, animal testing may be allowed if required by federal or state regulations, under strict conditions, such as the absence of non-animal alternatives and a demonstrated need for the testing. The law allows for the sale of products tested before 2025 as long as no new animal testing is conducted. Violators will face fines up to $5,000 per violation, and local governments are prohibited from enacting stricter regulations.
