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Senate committee hears bill to expand Washington’s Fair Chance hiring rules
Summary
A bill to delay background checks until after a conditional job offer and to limit employers’ use of criminal history drew business, municipal and reentry testimony in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. Supporters said the measure would widen applicant pools; opponents warned about costs and sector-specific constraints.
Engrossed House Bill 17 47, which would expand protections for applicants and employees under the Washington Fair Chance Act, was read into the record and discussed at a public hearing of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee.
Committee staff member Susan Jones summarized the bill: “Under the bill, an employer may not automatically exclude an individual with a criminal record from an employment position. The employer must make a conditional offer of employment before requesting or obtaining information about an applicant’s criminal record.” Jones also described timing and penalty provisions included in the bill and noted implementation dates in the text: the act would apply beginning 07/01/2026 to employers with 15 or more employees, and beginning 01/01/2027 to employers with fewer than 15 employees.
Sponsor Representative Lillian Ortiz‑Self framed the proposal as an expansion of existing local practices and a compromise with business. Representative Ortiz‑Self said the measure “brings consistency across the state of Washington” and…
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