Committee reports six labor bills out of committee, including paid-leave changes and 'Healthy Starts' pregnancy accommodations

The Labor & Workplace Standards Committee met in executive session March 26 and reported six bills out of committee, advancing measures on leave for hate‑crime victims, pregnancy accommodations, paid family and medical leave funding, call‑center relocation notice, law‑enforcement grievance arbitration, and electricians' training for electric vehicle charging work.

Why it matters: the bills would change employer obligations, leave eligibility and verification, premium caps and reserve policy for a state paid‑leave trust, and training requirements for work at state facilities — issues that affect workers, employers and state operations across Washington.

Substitute Senate Bill 5101 — hate‑crime leave and verification The bill would allow victims of hate crimes to take leave or request reasonable safety accommodations under the Domestic Violence Leave Act and clarifies whether online communications are included in the definition of hate crime. Two amendments were moved to tighten verification requirements; both failed. Representative McIntyre, who moved an amendment to align definitions with existing law, said, “it simply just aligns it with what we have previously, agreed in statute should be, considered a hate crime.” Representative Ortiz Self argued against requiring proof, saying, “asking victims to step up and having to prove themselves… I would say vote no.” The committee reported SSB 5101 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation (6 ayes, 3 nays). Vote record (as announced): Berry — aye; Fosse — aye; Scott — aye; Schmidt — nay (no recommendation); Ybarra — nay (no recommendation); Bernofsky — aye; McIntyre — nay (no recommendation); Opress — aye; Ortiz Self — aye.

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5217 — pregnancy accommodations, "Healthy Starts Act" The bill would expand workplace accommodations for pregnancy‑related conditions to apply to all employers (removing the 15‑employee threshold and excluding no religious organizations), require paid break time at regular compensation for expressing breast milk in addition to other state meal and rest breaks, move enforcement authority to the Department of Labor & Industries, and broaden jury‑duty relief for parents of infants in some cases. Vice Chair Fosse moved Leon 155, which added a short title; she said, “this new title, the Healthy Starts Act, reflects that.” Two technical amendments were adopted and the committee reported the bill out as amended with a due‑pass recommendation (7 ayes, 2 nays).

Substitute Senate Bill 5292 — paid family and medical leave premium caps and reserve The bill would require the paid family and medical leave program's premium rate to be set by the Office of Actuarial Services at the lowest rate necessary to maintain solvency and build a reserve. An amendment (H‑2042.2) adopted in committee phases in higher maximum premium caps over several years and increases the target reserve from three months to four months by a specified date. Vice Chair Scott, who described the amendment as guaranteeing solvency and rate predictability, said it “guarantees solvency for at least the next 10 years.” Ranking Member Schmidt asked members to vote no on the amendment, arguing the phased‑in caps start higher than the Senate's original 1.2% cap and could harm low‑income workers. The committee reported SSB 5292 out of committee as amended with a due‑pass recommendation (6 ayes, 3 nays).

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5459 — call‑center relocation notice The bill would require call‑center employers to provide 120 days' notice before moving operations from Washington to a foreign country. Representative O'Brien said the notice period is “sensible and makes sense and is equitable,” giving workers time to transition. Opponents argued the bill could make it harder for in‑state call centers to compete. The committee reported the bill out with a due‑pass recommendation (6 ayes, 3 nays).

Senate Bill 5473 — grievance arbitration for law enforcement personnel SB 5473 would make two changes to the grievance arbitration process for law enforcement personnel described in the bill text. Committee members described the changes as technical; the measure was reported out by voice/roll call with unanimous support (9 ayes, 0 nays).

Substitute Senate Bill 5528 — electric vehicle charging work and electrician training The bill would require electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) work at state‑owned facilities to be performed by electricians certified through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (or a similar program). Two amendments were proposed to clarify that the extra certification applies only to electrical wiring work and to ensure training is available to all general‑journey‑level electricians; neither amendment was adopted. Supporters emphasized safety and ongoing maintenance; Representative Bernofsky, identifying as an electric vehicle owner, said the bill ensures “underlying training and certification” for work on state facilities. Opponents cautioned the measure could shift work demarcation or limit other trades. The committee reported SSB 5528 out with a due‑pass recommendation (6 ayes, 3 nays).

Votes at a glance (committee outcomes) - SSB 5101 (hate‑crime leave): reported out, due pass (6‑3) - ESSB 5217 (Healthy Starts — pregnancy accommodations): reported out as amended, due pass (7‑2) - SSB 5292 (paid family & medical leave premiums/reserve): reported out as amended, due pass (6‑3) - ESSB 5459 (call‑center notice, 120 days): reported out, due pass (6‑3) - SB 5473 (law‑enforcement grievance arbitration): reported out, due pass (9‑0) - SSB 5528 (EVSE electrician certification at state facilities): reported out, due pass (6‑3)

Next steps and context Reported bills will proceed through committee files and the legislative process as scheduled. Committee members asked for further stakeholder work on several measures; multiple members said they hope to continue negotiating technical clarifications before floor consideration. The committee adjourned and scheduled further meetings for later in the week.