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WashingtonSB 51042025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Protecting employees from coercion in the workplace based on immigration status.

Sponsored By: Bob Hasegawa (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Employers face steep penalties for immigration coercion

The law creates civil penalties when employers coerce workers about immigration status while breaking wage or labor laws. Beginning July 1, 2025, penalties are up to $1,000 for the first act, $5,000 for the second, and $10,000 for later acts. Each act against each worker is a separate violation, and if two penalty laws apply, the higher amount applies. Penalty caps increase with inflation every three years starting July 1, 2028, using the Seattle CPI-W. The department uses its existing collections process, and all penalty money goes to the state supplemental pension fund.

What counts as immigration-status coercion

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law defines “coercion” and “threat” tied to immigration status at work. A threat includes any message about your or a family member’s immigration status meant to stop you from using rights under state wage and labor laws.

How to report and appeal coercion at work

Beginning July 1, 2025, you can file a complaint within 180 days of the coercive act. The Department of Labor and Industries investigates; within 90 days it sends a citation or a closure letter, and it may extend for good cause with written notice. Notices go to you and the employer by service or trackable mail. If the department finds signs of coercion during another case, it can enforce without a new complaint. You may appeal a citation within 30 days; filing an appeal pauses it, and an administrative law judge hears the case with further review by the director and courts. Your and your family’s personal information is confidential and not shared without your written permission, except as needed with the employer. The department may adopt rules to carry out these processes.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Wellman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebecca Saldaña

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steve Conway

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 99 • No: 47

House vote • 4/14/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 59 • No: 38 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/12/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 40 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/1/2025.

    5/12/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 236, 2025 Laws.

    5/12/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/12/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/22/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 59; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/14/2025Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/14/2025Senate

  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/5/2025Senate

  12. Minority; do not pass.

    4/5/2025Senate

  13. APP - Majority; do pass.

    4/5/2025Senate

  14. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/5/2025Senate

  15. Referred to Appropriations.

    3/25/2025Senate

  16. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/21/2025Senate

  17. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/21/2025Senate

  18. Minority; do not pass.

    3/21/2025Senate

  19. LAWS - Majority; do pass.

    3/21/2025Senate

  20. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.

    2/17/2025Senate

  21. Third reading, passed; yeas, 40; nays, 9; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/12/2025Senate

  22. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2025Senate

  23. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/12/2025Senate

  24. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/5/2025Senate

  25. On motion, referred to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

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