[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6335773,"mediaKeyId","2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab","parentId",2288631,"title","Workers' compensation bill aims to preserve injured workers' health coverage and equalize payouts for single parents","audioSeconds",1583,"startMs",869000,"endMs",2452000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab&start=869&end=2452","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab/thumbnail_869000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6335773/Washington/Workers-compensation-bill-aims-to-preserve-injured-workers-health-coverage-and-equalize-payouts-for-single-parents","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335773-dac9f5b72b8ec43a09c62a53a3633304/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020663&Signature=HzZawwkmvxv0RBK-nnIs8iFbBSyB8SjFKzVCjlCf4VNTYqI~n4EnVrBrZAFE3JS5t5Xu28HtPW-wL6T1bm-EY6vjs6SJqacPioPO5FaLUhuPo9YuwS01a3m3rJ3WfAjFgG9vSLPMwYpdm3CZaeaL-~mtHfOQ~OiHy19ivq66z8nXuTkyP8EBiaqCc3j7xK2O1RmNOo9QdGi9d73op9rwkGJeE29JT-kv-xnziWj36Y0UoBgHcxysLi~iHlicc6uqA5VEyp~JpHshDdP-9leKeefUkHci7UTgPiVGlGwVNS8DAsGLpZrnB9iPhsLSms-5APzq2-w4Ua9mGQLzwhcttg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Labor & Workplace Standards","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The committee heard House Bill 17 88 on Feb. 12, 2025. The bill would revise workers' compensation calculations so the employer's contribution for health care is carved out and a percentage of that contribution is provided specifically to the injured worker or to the person with legal custody of the worker's child; it also standardizes wage replacement percentages across family compositions so, for example, single parents with one child would receive the same base percentage as a married worker with no children.

Ben McCarthy, briefing the bill, explained that current law pays injured workers a percentage of total wages using a graduated chart (e.g., 60% for unmarried workers without children, 65% for married workers without children). HB 17 88 consolidates those calculations and assigns a separate percentage of an employer's health care contribution to the person with legal custody of a worker's child when applicable.

Proponents — including trade unions, Building and Construction Trades, Teamsters, UFCW, Washington State Labor Council, and the Washington State Association for Justice — said the bill would prevent injured workers and their families from losing medical coverage or paying high COBRA rates after an employer discontinues family coverage. \"This bill ensures injured workers can maintain their existing health care coverage and not have to change providers or disrupt care for themselves and their families,\" said Mina Long of the Building and Construction Trades Council. Rachel Hamar of the Association for Justice noted the bill would reduce inequities for single parents.

Industry groups raised concerns about broader system impacts. Rose Gunderson of the Washington Retail Association urged a systems assessment, citing rising long‑term disability costs and argued piecemeal changes could worsen incentives in the workers' comp system. AGC and Associated Builders & Contractors noted design questions about whether payments must be made to insurers/trusts to preserve coverage and whether other RCW sections must be amended to ensure the health‑care portion is used for insurance premiums rather than increasing time‑loss pay.

Testimony also addressed attorney fees and enforcement. Rachel Hamar explained that Title 51 RCW limits how attorneys are paid (typically a percentage of benefit increases) and that fee‑shifting statutes could be added if the committee wants to preserve the full health‑care benefit to workers while ensuring legal representation in disputes.

No committee action was taken; testimony showed broad labor support and requests by business groups for a broader review of the workers' compensation system before adopting the change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Labor & Workplace Standards - 2/12/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The committee heard House Bill 17 88 on Feb. 12, 2025, which would change workers' compensation calculations to separate an employer's health‑care contribution from wage replacement and to give single parents parity with married workers in benefit calculations.","taxTitle","Labor & Workplace Standards, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20266,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335778,"Bill to expand access to certified payroll records draws support from joint labor‑management groups and concern from contractors",2571,516000,3087000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab&start=516&end=3087","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab/thumbnail_516000.jpg","/articles/6335778/Washington/Bill-to-expand-access-to-certified-payroll-records-draws-support-from-joint-labormanagement-groups-and-concern-from-contractors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335778-0c275db43f9250cc95c6f3a9a3d101ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020663&Signature=jHFZ4Een2UN8ch~J5urTDpATwkfUf6o-ytppFmEj2PP93q6ANkrOFLLvP1Y7DFi5cCppEKFyOKK2jLJRgAnXqWjUjnCdM-wt8v4ZCj6dyCtxH7D~7LLYEdwIQnqt~5G1T8SRCnFps4tPi25wpCd8Fnz2dXbXnTcDQ4joVJDPl5O1UHr5SYtJC74ZQl91r6dCf-l4iKfBq4LjugaP6qEHF54-61AUOsnrBroTNTqDP0yjytQpbkPodcYeTDE9AJb4OTC9~hNFTYwEiL6kJqDowJCOZSirhGYbBzhFpe~HVThTkg6cBft6BW41P4UaAcNnqFlKAJuRdYIOe38K5KTG3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 18 21, which would expand who may obtain certified payroll records under prevailing‑wage investigations and require L&I to provide payroll copies unredacted except for Social Security numbers.

Jim Morishima, committee staff, briefed members that prevailing wage complaints may be investigated by \"interested parties,\" currently defined to include contractors, subcontractors, employees, affected organizations and the L&I director. The bill would add joint labor‑management cooperation committees (JMCs) and Taft‑Hartley trusts to that list and require copies of employee payroll records be provided unredacted except for Social Security numbers.

Representative Julio Cortez, sponsor, said stakeholders raised persistent problems such as waste theft and worker misclassification and that adding JMCs provides another tool to identify violations and cooperate with enforcement. \"Expanding JMCs' access to payroll data ensures a level playing field and promotes ethical business practices,\" Cortez said.

Testimony in favor came from Patty McCarron and Boris Gressley of the Carpenters Contractors Cooperation Committee and other joint labor‑management groups, who described using payroll records to document wage violations, to contact workers safely for interviews and to recover millions in unpaid wages. McCarron said the committee's enforcement work led to penalties, debarments and criminal charges in some cases.

Contractor organizations raised concerns. Gerry Vanderwood of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) said some contractor members were surprised by the bill and urged additional outreach to firms that fund or participate in joint labor‑management entities. Brandon Huskeeper of the Associated Builders and Contractors and merit‑shop groups emphasized privacy concerns and said not all employees want external organizations contacting them at home.

Committee members asked why the bill requires unredacted records beyond Social Security numbers. Proponents said heavily redacted records historically have been unusable for enforcement; proponents plan an amendment to clarify that JMCs are treated like existing interested parties and will receive the same access as others.

No committee vote was recorded. The record shows proponents and enforcement groups arguing the change is necessary to detect wage theft, while contractor groups requested more stakeholder engagement and raised redaction and privacy questions.","Lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 18 21, which would expand who may obtain certified payroll records under prevailing‑wage complaints and require L&I to provide payroll copies unredacted except for Social Security numbers.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335764,"Grocery workers urge guardrails on self‑checkout; retailers warn against prescriptive statewide rules",357,3465000,3822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab&start=3465&end=3822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab/thumbnail_3465000.jpg","/articles/6335764/Washington/Grocery-workers-urge-guardrails-on-selfcheckout-retailers-warn-against-prescriptive-statewide-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335764-238cea47d1af1d0f066d242689724427/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020663&Signature=ccg2lc~lz~-Kf7piFHtn0BESh8hc-KuiCt0pi81v4MqXjk0pgBBcJc5C63QpsfHW40lgUPFGBqP3GPv2o6q6nxZ1iP-RTf47AGvteHD2PMiyd~ToNEzkmJxcSMdud54lK4jj649LwnxBDFIanjqpg184jnXsVfS9NDN8XWBKTV8OZaCPhXRWuZjOqtqt0JWZgNAL0~4UECILVc2IYz3MaPUNERriUApqv5clUUVX2xdPW9E4zzs4T0kt5xS77inYJx7UKAxNQRJP0GnFXEIx3JXnak1PFKdV4S7Xhbk~y2Qz8SGrfXueFF0W2uVDaIOy18VSJN71lYVItNeqWI2kCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 17 39 drew extended public testimony on Feb. 12, 2025, with grocery workers and unions describing unsafe and stressful conditions when one employee must monitor many self‑checkout machines, and retail groups warning that the bill would impose inflexible, prescriptive requirements on diverse store operations.

Committee staff Ben McCarthy summarized the bill: it applies to grocery stores over 15,000 square feet (excluding discount warehouses and membership stores), requires at least one manual checkout whenever self‑checkout is operating, limits self‑checkout to 15 items or fewer with signage, and mandates that any employee monitoring self‑checkout be relieved of other duties and not required to monitor more than two self‑checkout stations. Penalties in the bill are $100 per day up to $10,000 total for violations.

Frontline workers described frequent understaffing, theft, verbal abuse and safety threats. \"I have been cussed out, watched people hit machines, and seen people walk out without hundreds of dollars of merchandise when I step away momentarily,\" said James Reed, a QFC worker. Trainers and long‑tenured cashiers described lines of 15 or more customers and employees forced to oversee many machines alone.

Union witnesses including Joe Mizrahi of UFCW 3000 called the bill \"basic common sense workplace standards\" and linked self‑checkout proliferation to reduced staffing, increased theft, and worse customer service. Mizrahi said stores that rely on self‑checkout to cut labor costs are making management decisions that have wider public impacts.

Retail and grocery associations opposed the proposal. Katie Beeson of the Washington Food Industry Association and Brandon Huskeeper of the Northwest Grocery Retail Association said stores implement self‑checkout based on customer demand, store size and operational needs and that a prescriptive statewide mandate would remove local flexibility. Rose Gunderson of the Washington Retail Association suggested using existing complaint and inspection mechanisms (e.g., WA L&I inspections or organized retail‑crime policies) instead of a statutory mandate.

No committee action was taken; testimony highlighted a divide between worker safety and retail operational flexibility. Proponents urged lawmakers to adopt the bill to protect workers; opponents urged more targeted solutions addressing theft and local staffing practices.","House Bill 17 39 would require large grocery stores to staff manual checkouts when self‑checkout is operating, limit self‑checkout to 15 items or fewer, and require dedicated monitoring staff; the committee heard extensive testimony on Feb. 12, 2025.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335768,"Hospitals, unions back bill to allow voluntary waivers and updated timing for meal and rest periods in long shifts",121,4290000,4411000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab&start=4290&end=4411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab/thumbnail_4290000.jpg","/articles/6335768/Washington/Hospitals-unions-back-bill-to-allow-voluntary-waivers-and-updated-timing-for-meal-and-rest-periods-in-long-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335768-fdd702748e6e9367d876ece7f64af7f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020663&Signature=AIlLadF9uxumLVx-WNo-2VW8srwmCf8nZxXlJNeI7AND8KGswwCn4C8TPynp2gFK4~ahXKvg5JAoe3nlG7sBD23WR2fb1kF8KIrD4bLPtmu83whMvslse7LO8I9bZZCivNJhh4aIFt~cLn-HSZGTKcljsTOMuL~oxBRTIHeIKgwoWOJWd5kulCeShs0UXyX0LZ9f1X3Xm8BGFbYJIH2YUkIWTSzHsfGbC0~OOln0ZWpWruoqZ47oEFNv0EPn~y6NfgpGJ2mkHOeYMV4PSEZhazpILBDsUz4LU7R6LnxP4JAjtamjEGsjn6DzERbuqClt-PGgft~YsFI76lSO1JvGHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard House Bill 18 79, which proposes a voluntary, written waiver process for certain hospital workers to waive a meal period or the timing requirements for meal and rest periods, and updates timing rules that were written around 8‑hour shifts to better accommodate 12‑hour hospital shifts.

Kelly Leonard, staff to the committee, summarized existing law: certain hospital employees engaged in direct patient care have specialized meal and rest‑period requirements and hospitals must report missed meal/rest periods quarterly to L&I; beginning in 2026 or 2028 (depending on hospital size), penalties can be imposed if employers are less than 80% compliant.

Sponsor Representative Brianna Thomas described HB 18 79 as a consensus bill negotiated by hospitals, labor and other stakeholders during implementation of the Washington Safe and Healthy hospital staffing law. \"The parties have agreed to this fix in the bill before you that allows for those workers to take breaks or waive them as they find appropriate to stay well rested and provide excellent care,\" Thomas said.

Union witnesses Lindsay Grad of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and Ashlyn Strong of the Washington State Hospital Association testified they had worked together on language that updates the meal timing window to reflect 12‑hour shifts and that L&I had requested a small clarifying amendment for implementation; both labor and hospital representatives urged support for the bill as a negotiated fix to implementation issues.

The committee recorded no vote; sponsors and stakeholders characterized the bill as a consensus technical change to align law and regulation with contemporary hospital shift patterns and implementation experience.","HB 18 79 would create a written waiver process allowing certain hospital employees to voluntarily waive meal/timing requirements and update timing rules to reflect common 12‑hour shifts; sponsors said language is consensus among hospitals, unions and L&I with a small technical amendment requested by L&I.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335783,"Committee hears bill to let qualified 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds begin EMT, firefighter and CNA training",4653,22000,4675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab&start=22&end=4675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288631-0af897279377f9e20579bdd09ce4e9ab/thumbnail_22000.jpg","/articles/6335783/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-let-qualified-16-and-17yearolds-begin-EMT-firefighter-and-CNA-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335783-a393b041423e430af4cbcd6909b00ff1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020663&Signature=NM0uBjvqojBTfSn3XF-bmW8UQsC9QUw3zLpe7AmQt5VCQZ7MdSrXLIGbEUUdVKJ~fz-I3NVvim9R8Sv5OuoIlStIAzRjR2YxMe8eaJq61FT1YQT0Ymb0TyMOtN28bH0sC~H0RpmMarKjgWo5-xCVedsWffzN0SFFDgLFrFWM23DFK2bj6zZR1d728ahkVVpnSfm1JzHV8bQDC44-pEO37-EPFQppT4jG0hwiT55e1tTy0gZiqPM~7BnYEIiJ89Sni0qN3ytjXSDauVBEVYi1T-0Uk6GYLq-8z~7U5kWKbnMiZMX1W4XPh0tfNVd8a2Q8FVZeKesNDyQ6Yp65VWHAZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Labor & Workplace Standards Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 17 22 on Feb. 12, 2025, which would let certain 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds begin state‑approved emergency medical technician training, participate earlier in fire service training subject to a Fire Marshal review, and remove a duplicative variance requirement for minors who complete certified nursing assistant training.

Supporters told the committee the bill targets procedural barriers that keep students in career and technical education (CTE) programs from finishing credentialing on a timely schedule. \"This bill will reduce barriers for these high performing students to further their career path and take the next step,\" said Paul Bridal, director of Tri Tech Skills Center.

The bill requires the Department of Health to allow 16‑year‑olds to start EMT training in state‑approved skill centers or vocational programs if the program continues until the student turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes first. Representative Connors, sponsor of the bill, said the measure arose from a work group that included labor, hospitals, CTE programs and the Fire Marshal's office. She described three targeted fixes: earlier EMT training starts for students who enter programs at 16, a Fire Marshal assessment of age‑related barriers in fire protection training, and statutory clarity to avoid duplicate variance requests for minors who earn a CNA license before turning 18.

Fire service testing was highlighted as a source of delay. \"Some of these kids turn 18 after they're done with high school and they've completed these two years of courses, and they've not been allowed to complete their testing,\" Connors said, noting the State Fire Marshal had formed a work group and committed to report progress and recommendations to the Legislature by October. The bill would explicitly require that report.

CTE program staff and students described long training sequences and the workforce value of earlier credentialing. \"Despite maintaining an A average and completing all the necessary training, I'm unable to earn my emergency medical responder certification simply because of my age,\" said Ethan Wodehouse, a Tri Tech student testifying in support.

Agency staff described the current regulatory landscape: health care licensing under Title 18 RCW, the Fire Marshal's authority over regional fire protection service training, and Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) rules that now limit minors from working in occupations solely for the risk of exposure to bodily fluids unless the minor holds a Department of Health license that includes bloodborne pathogen competency.

No vote was taken; the item was heard as a public hearing and proponents urged further consideration and technical amendments. The committee record shows multiple CTE directors, instructors and students urging passage to reduce delays in certification and entry to the workforce.

The bill does not change compulsory schooling requirements; supporters said it preserves safety and supervision while removing procedural obstacles to timely testing and employment.","Lawmakers heard testimony on HB 17 22, which would require state agencies to ease age barriers for minors who complete approved training programs for emergency medical services, fire service testing and certified nursing assistant roles; the bill also directs a Fire Marshal review and a report to the Legislature by October.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Workers' compensation bill aims to preserve injured workers' health coverage and equalize payouts for single parents

Bill to expand access to certified payroll records draws support from joint labor‑management groups and concern from contractors

Grocery workers urge guardrails on self‑checkout; retailers warn against prescriptive statewide rules

Hospitals, unions back bill to allow voluntary waivers and updated timing for meal and rest periods in long shifts

Committee hears bill to let qualified 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds begin EMT, firefighter and CNA training