WashingtonHB 16442025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning the safety and health of working minors.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Criminal charges for severe child labor

Starting July 1, 2026, knowingly or recklessly breaking certain minors’ safety laws is a gross misdemeanor. If the violation causes a minor’s death or permanent disability, it is a class C felony.

Higher fines for breaking teen labor laws

Beginning July 1, 2026, civil fines follow set tiers. Nonserious violations are $100–$1,000; hours violations are $150–$1,000; meal/rest violations are $300–$1,000. Serious offenses, prohibited duties, or minimum wage violations are at least $1,000 (at least $2,000 for repeat serious violations). If a minor is seriously hurt, the fine is at least $15,000; if a minor dies, at least $71,000. Willful or repeated violations can double those harm‑based minimums. The department can also add up to $5,000 per day for each day a serious or repeated violation continues. Starting July 1, 2027, fines go up every two years for inflation. The department weighs factors like willfulness, employer size, the minor’s age, and deterrence when setting amounts.

Stronger rules for minors in farm work

Beginning July 1, 2026, farm employers must have a minor work permit to hire a minor. The permit must have a parent or guardian’s consent and the minor’s school approval. There are exceptions for parents, guardians, and emancipated minors. The law sets fines for violations: $100–$1,000 for nonserious issues, $150–$1,000 for hours violations, $300–$1,000 for meal/rest issues, and higher minimums when work is prohibited or harm occurs. Fines can rise by up to $5,000 per day if serious or repeated violations continue. First‑time nonserious violations may get time to fix and a reduced fine. Many violations under this chapter are now class 1 civil infractions.

Tougher public works bidder rules

Starting July 1, 2026, bidders must have a trained person on public works and prevailing wage, unless they finished 3+ public works jobs and held a WA business license for 3+ years. Bidders with recent willful wage or safety violations, or with a revoked minor work permit at bid time, are not responsible bidders. Agencies may rely on a sworn compliance statement when awarding a contract. If you had penalties for missing apprentice‑use goals or often used the exception, you must file an apprenticeship plan within 10 business days after the notice to proceed. The state also posts guidance to help write extra bidder responsibility rules.

Faster enforcement to protect working minors

L&I must try to notify an employer within 10 days when an inspection finds a hazard that could harm a minor. The director can issue immediate orders to stop deadly or serious hazards and bar minors from danger areas. For serious harm or death to a minor, L&I must revoke the employer’s minor work permit and ban new permits for at least 12 months; reissue requires 12 months with no such citations. You can appeal within 30 days; appeals pause citations and fines but not immediate restraint orders. Employers must pay assessed penalties in 30 days or face collections; giving unauthorized inspection notice can bring fines up to $1,000 per occurrence. From July 1, 2026, L&I reports yearly on citations, permit revocations, and minor injuries; penalties go to the state general fund, and L&I may adopt rules.

Safety checks for student and apprentice work

Beginning July 1, 2026, before a minor in an approved school or apprenticeship program can do age‑restricted duties, L&I must visit the site. L&I also consults with the employer on which tools and practices are allowed under the variance. This applies to cooperative vocational programs, school‑monitored work experience, and registered apprenticeships.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Mary Fosse
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Alex Ramel
Democratic • House
April Berg
Democratic • House
Brianna Thomas
Democratic • House
Chipalo Street
Democratic • House
Clyde Shavers
Democratic • House
Edwin Obras
Democratic • House
Jamila Taylor
Democratic • House
Julia Reed
Democratic • House
Julio Cortes
Democratic • House
Lauren Davis
Democratic • House
Lillian Ortiz-Self
Democratic • House
Lisa Parshley
Democratic • House
Liz Berry
Democratic • House
Mia Gregerson
Democratic • House
Monica Jurado Stonier
Democratic • House
My-Linh Thai
Democratic • House
Natasha Hill
Democratic • House
Nicole Macri
Democratic • House
Osman Salahuddin
Democratic • House
Roger Goodman
Democratic • House
Shaun Scott
Democratic • House
Tarra Simmons
Democratic • House
Timm Ormsby
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 97 • No: 47

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 37 • No: 12

House vote • 3/10/2025