PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 17222025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Reviewing state restrictions affecting students participating in secondary career and technical education programs and other state-approved career pathways.

Sponsored By: April Connors (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fewer career training barriers for teens

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington's health department must create a process allowing 16-year-olds to begin emergency medical services training. Courses must be offered through state-approved skill centers or other qualifying vocational programs approved by the state education office. Programs must require continuous training until high school graduation or age 18, whichever comes first. The law also directs specified state agencies to remove barriers affecting 16- and 17-year-olds' advanced coursework or work after training or licensing. The fire protection director must review age rules for fire training, exams, and certification to expand professional and volunteer opportunities. This covers community and technical colleges, Running Start, secondary career programs, skill centers, and other relevant education programs. By October 1, 2025, the director must report policy changes and recommended law and rule changes to the legislature.

Fewer job barriers for licensed minors

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington's labor department cannot bar qualifying minors from occupations because of bodily-fluid exposure or infection transmission risks. Minors must hold a valid professional license or certificate issued by the Washington Department of Health. The credential must require skills in preventing the spread of bloodborne germs and infectious diseases. Other job restrictions still apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • April Connors

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Jeremie Dufault

    Republican • House

  • Stephanie Barnard

    Republican • House

  • Suzanne Schmidt

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 141 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 45 • No: 4

House vote • 3/8/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/21/2025House

  2. Chapter 98, 2025 Laws.

    4/21/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/21/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/16/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/14/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/11/2025legislature

  7. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/9/2025House

  8. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/9/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/7/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/1/2025House

  11. Minority; do not pass.

    3/31/2025House

  12. LC - Majority; do pass.

    3/31/2025House

  13. Referred to Labor & Commerce.

    3/14/2025House

  14. And refer to Labor & Commerce.

    3/13/2025House

  15. HEWD - Majority; without recommendation.

    3/13/2025House

  16. First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.

    3/11/2025House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/8/2025House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/8/2025House

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

    2/28/2025House

  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/21/2025House

  21. LAWS - Majority; do pass.

    2/19/2025House

  22. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/19/2025House

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

    1/29/2025House

  24. Introduced

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation