The proposed bill establishes a wage replacement program in Washington aimed at providing financial support to workers excluded from traditional unemployment insurance, particularly focusing on immigrant workers who have faced significant economic challenges due to the pandemic. It creates a Washington wage replacement account to fund benefits for eligible claimants and mandates the selection of a third-party administrator to manage the program. The bill outlines eligibility criteria, application processes, and benefit calculations while ensuring the confidentiality of claimants' information, explicitly prohibiting the collection of sensitive personal data, including immigration status.

Additionally, the bill introduces amendments to existing unemployment compensation laws, including a new surcharge for employers to fund the wage replacement program, with specific rates set for the years 2026 and 2027. It also clarifies contribution rates for employers and establishes provisions for the appropriation of funds for poverty reduction programs during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. The legislation includes measures to protect claimant information, mandates the destruction of records after program use, and ensures compliance with federal regulations, allowing for the act's continued operation even if parts conflict with federal requirements.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 50.29.041, 50.24.014