The bill amends RCW 39.19.120 to establish clear guidelines for identifying socially disadvantaged individuals for the purpose of business enterprise state certification in Washington. It designates the office as the sole authority responsible for certifying minority business enterprises, socially and economically disadvantaged business enterprises, and women's business enterprises. This certification will enable these businesses to participate in various state-administered programs, thereby streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency across local jurisdictions.

Additionally, the bill introduces a rebuttable presumption that certain groups are considered socially disadvantaged for state certification. These groups include women, individuals from various racial and ethnic backgrounds (such as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, and Middle Eastern/North African), LGBTQ individuals, and any other group identified by the office through rule-making. This framework aims to support the development and implementation of comprehensive monitoring and compliance systems for contracts issued by state and local agencies.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 39.19.120