WashingtonSB 61062025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Modifying the securing timely notification and benefits for laid-off employees act.

Sponsored By: Annette Cleveland (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Clearer advance layoff notices for workers

Beginning March 17, 2026, covered employers must give 60 days’ written notice before covered business closings or mass layoffs. Notice goes to Washington’s Employment Security Department and affected workers or their union representative, subject to the law’s exceptions. A mass layoff means at least 50 workers lose employment within any 30-day period, outside a business closing. Notices follow federal notice rules as of July 27, 2025. They identify the worksite, company contact, affected job titles, expected dates, and whether jobs are relocated or contracted out. They also state whether the action is permanent or temporary, including whether temporary layoffs last longer than three months. The department and union representatives also receive affected workers’ names and addresses. For layoffs announced as three months or less, unforeseen business changes require notice when a longer layoff becomes reasonably foreseeable. Extensions beyond three months for other reasons count as employment loss from the initial layoff date. The department can require more details or updated dates when layoffs last longer than announced. When a business is sold, the seller handles required notices through the sale date; the buyer handles them afterward.

Workers’ layoff records gain privacy protections

Beginning March 17, 2026, workers’ names and addresses in required layoff notices are exempt from public inspection and copying. This protection covers information employers submit to Washington’s Employment Security Department for required business-closing or mass-layoff notices. It does not make the entire notice confidential.

Public and tribal workers lose notice protections

Beginning March 17, 2026, Washington state, local governments, and Indian tribes are excluded from this law’s employer definition. Their employees are outside this law’s layoff-notice protections. Other employers are covered when they employ at least 50 people in Washington, not counting part-time employees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Annette Cleveland
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Javier Valdez
Democratic • Senate
Rebecca Saldaña
Democratic • Senate
Steve Conway
Democratic • Senate
T'wina Nobles
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 123 • No: 18

House vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 75 • No: 18 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 2/13/2026