The bill amends Washington's wage recovery laws to enhance the investigation and enforcement of wage complaints, allowing the Department of Labor and Industries to prioritize cases based on severity and potential harm to employees. It mandates that the department issue a citation or determination of compliance within 60 days of accepting a complaint, with provisions for extensions. A new wage recovery program is introduced, enabling the department to provide funds to low-wage employees facing immediate economic harm due to unpaid wages before the investigation concludes. Key changes include the establishment of a wage recovery account funded by civil penalties and recovered wages, which will be used for disbursements to eligible employees, and a review of the program's effectiveness after five years.

Additionally, the bill modifies the handling of complaints from drivers against transportation network companies (TNCs) regarding unpaid compensation, requiring timely investigations and allowing for civil penalties directed to the newly established wage recovery account. It also enhances protections for drivers' rights to earned paid sick time, prohibiting retaliation from TNCs and establishing a complaint process with specific timelines for investigation. The bill further addresses employer coercion based on immigration status, allowing workers to file complaints and ensuring confidentiality. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen employee protections, streamline complaint resolution processes, and hold TNCs accountable for violations.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 49.48.083, 49.48.125, 49.46.320, 49.46.330, 49.46.310, 49.46.370
Substitute bill: 49.48.083, 49.46.320, 49.46.330, 49.46.310, 49.46.370, 49.48.125