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Washington House advances package of bills including noncompete ban, PTSD coverage and workforce training
Summary
On the House floor members passed a package of bills including a ban on most noncompete agreements (HB 1155), expanded PTSD workers' compensation eligibility for coroners and medical examiners (HB 1002), and a requirement for behavioral-health training in the building trades (HB 2492). Vote tallies and sponsor remarks were recorded on the floor.
The Washington State House on the floor advanced and passed a slate of bills addressing employment contracts, workers' compensation, food security and workforce training.
Representative Sharon Berry, sponsor of HB 1155, said on third reading: "This bill will ban noncompete agreements in the state of Washington." She argued noncompete agreements "stifle innovation and entrepreneurship" and recounted a constituent who was prevented from practicing locally for three years by a noncompete. The chamber adopted several amendments to HB 1155 addressing tribal employment relationships, clarifying client/patient language and requiring employers to notify certain current and former employees that noncompetes would be void. The final roll-call for HB 1155 was 65 yays, 29 nays, 4 excused; the bill was declared passed.
On HB 1002, which would allow certain coroners and medical examiners to seek workers'…
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