[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6380160,"mediaKeyId","2133157-bb2ebd6fd63b27dd345c291d72c51510","parentId",2133157,"title","Senate hearing on SB 5062 probes proposed childcare workforce standards board; supporters cite workforce strain, opponents warn of cost","audioSeconds",1906,"startMs",150000,"endMs",2056000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2133157-bb2ebd6fd63b27dd345c291d72c51510&start=150&end=2056","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2133157-bb2ebd6fd63b27dd345c291d72c51510/thumbnail_150000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6380160/Washington/Senate-hearing-on-SB-5062-probes-proposed-childcare-workforce-standards-board-supporters-cite-workforce-strain-opponents-warn-of-cost","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380160-b5eff94a5d4e58f0c8a973cb8c1dd8f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035764&Signature=ZC6UIKm4b3mU~vJhANXHCFOYteom8q~Hx1G8H8KYOeowH2VR34yAxSHkAbOOTm-aVeHC3~IF-GDNqHkXH8-b73RWuOXTuF4jmdHIYUDEc4IMEHh2-3sYwAeR8-emXBeLNMsgBQA3M6C3JTeGwOhsDjUxZ3dbBSfvlq4u8ZCYpWU2wyVs~GY84NPbKpzh3FuhW3hC0uuHRAzQf6FtKU7nzrsHl2qdyGQzXCP5mq2cPQiRXPBNwgAZ62DdJp-N4e5f3WR-GtB-aZrtK4UevaWswGW-QziYcQckoCTCENup3IBzrIZcXwTV9GLOpjuRdXctufsEdP2EVveeCQ-jSpiigg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Labor & Commerce","date","2025-01-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Washington Senate Labor & Commerce Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5062, a proposal to establish a Child Care Workforce Standards Board to set minimum employment standards, curriculum requirements and worker protections for the child care industry.

Committee staff described the bill’s structure and timeline. Jarrett Sachs, staff to the committee, said the board would be appointed by the governor and include three representatives of child care workers, three representing employers, one representing professional development programs, one parent representative and two agency members (one from L&I and one from DCYF). Sachs said initial appointments must be made by Sept. 1, 2025; the board must adopt initial ‘‘waive’’ standards by Aug. 1, 2026, and employment standards would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The board would investigate market conditions by geography and occupation, recommend WISHA (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act) rules to L&I where appropriate, establish certified training curricula, and prohibit retaliation against workers who exercise rights under the law.

Supporters at the hearing said the industry needs systemic change. Wren Schmidt, a child care teacher, described the physical and emotional toll of the work and said low pay forced teachers out of the field. Carol Gilmore, a Tacoma center director of more than 40 years, said equal representation of workers, employers, parents and state agencies could produce solutions grounded in daily operations rather than distant policymaking. Maggie Humphreys of MomsRising called the board a needed step to sustain the workforce and cited parents’ reliance on early educators.

Opponents warned about costs and added regulation. Dana Christensen, who operates two centers, said the board could inflate operating costs and risk closures among small community providers. Lindsey Huer of the Association of Washington Business said similar efforts elsewhere carried large start‑up costs and that new standards without funding could push costs onto families or providers. Several center associations and large providers (Kindercare, Learning Care Group) testified they support higher compensation in principle but raised questions about whether center‑based providers would receive public funding to meet any new standards and warned of added regulatory complexity.

Committee staff said a fiscal note had been requested but was not yet available. No formal vote occurred during the hearing.

Ending: The committee closed testimony on SB 5062 and moved to other bills; sponsors and staff indicated interest in follow‑up discussions on funding and technical implementation before any further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Labor & Commerce - 1/20/2025 10:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Washington Senate Labor & Commerce Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5062, which would create a Child Care Workforce Standards Board to set minimum employment standards, training requirements and worker protections for child care employees.","taxTitle","Labor & Commerce, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20507,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6380145,"Senate hears SB 5217 to expand pregnancy accommodations; bill would require paid lactation break time and broaden employer coverage",6282,6282000,-1,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2133157-bb2ebd6fd63b27dd345c291d72c51510&start=6282&end=0","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2133157-bb2ebd6fd63b27dd345c291d72c51510/thumbnail_6282000.jpg","/articles/6380145/Washington/Senate-hears-SB-5217-to-expand-pregnancy-accommodations-bill-would-require-paid-lactation-break-time-and-broaden-employer-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380145-0f5250c49e0d836b8248a7a6bace7890/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035764&Signature=CISBJ2lin3eFvm2t1Y1O05F4qQplYdmEvMBju1hSLQ7LlX3G37uOIq71z~POuvK3o-lLRH1n7zNff~ss~hwFz3~Vj~NN0xMR7ZDNQyFjF4b8wGy9Fr~Kl1F3jKAg1ejb9KFAp3IqtMBJBTuKZ6FnhJIM~fh1FO73XTq96Dp5XrqD4Yma0MmVB-8YiSvaJ5RVAfrOV~6bxwksRJJt7bqxRd5oPIWfFJZaVzNZc8-Art1kHpFpE3RWYwlBqLH5TD1F7I449d1K9~rChxlX6--RoDAt7MnnUvTPU3jyrhl0VNx30ebQ1a4gJPQc6PI8yrmvXZkrqvQy8Cvqq7xviHKJEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 5217 drew testimony in the Labor & Commerce Committee on measures to expand pregnancy‑related workplace accommodations, including paid lactation break time and a jury‑service accommodation for breastfeeding parents.

Committee staff explained current law requires reasonable accommodations for pregnancy for employers with 15 or more employees and requires break time and a private non‑bathroom space for expressing milk; SB 5217 would require that employers pay employees for break and travel time to express milk at the employee’s regular rate, prohibit employers from forcing employees to use paid leave for pumping time, and expand the employer definition to include any employer with at least one employee (including nonprofit religious organizations). The bill would also allow breastfeeding individuals to request a delay or excusal from jury service. The sponsor, Senator Tijuana Nobles, said the measure builds on existing law and modeled lactation pay language on a Georgia statute signed in 2020.

Supporters described practical problems and health risks when accommodations are unavailable. Ellie Klein described jury duty logistics that made pumping infeasible and unsanitary rooms she encountered; Haley Bano and Brooke Iverson from Teamsters Local 174 described drivers who currently pump from unsanitary vehicle spaces or lose wages when forced to drive to a pumping location. Maggie Humphreys (MomsRising) and other advocates argued that paid lactation time and reasonable accommodations improve maternal and infant health and should not be limited by employer size.

Opponents and small‑business representatives raised concerns about implementation for very small employers and asked for additional lead time and agency alignment for education and enforcement. Patrick Connor (NFIB) asked for a Jan. 1, 2026 effective date to give agencies time to educate very small employers and suggested shifting some enforcement/education duties to the Department of Labor & Industries. Grocery and retail associations requested additional clarity about how small employers with minimal staff would meet break and coverage requirements.

Ending: The committee closed testimony for SB 5217 after hearing proponents and small‑business concerns; sponsors and stakeholders signaled further work on implementation timing and agency roles.","SB 5217 would expand pregnancy‑related reasonable accommodations to employers of any size, require paid time for expressing breast milk during work at the employee’s regular rate, and permit breastfeeding parents to seek delay or excusal from jury duty, the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee heard.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6380150,"Bill would penalize employers who coerce employees over immigration status; committee hears support and concerns about clarity",3294,2947000,6241000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2133157-bb2ebd6fd63b27dd345c291d72c51510&start=2947&end=6241","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2133157-bb2ebd6fd63b27dd345c291d72c51510/thumbnail_2947000.jpg","/articles/6380150/Washington/Bill-would-penalize-employers-who-coerce-employees-over-immigration-status-committee-hears-support-and-concerns-about-clarity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380150-c8ea4f369576fa8a7e8ad338d71bcb2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035764&Signature=gNawKO1D7Q6nSYKQ5piZjNKvN8H6BNvBbyG6Yg~Cs0fJsEicO2~KWu1nxWOa7DMjuADXhOEuqgE0JY12LtHi6GCgQL6C5PNIa7KbhXB3kwVF4Ivo-vj7BUKwOm8YdTo0030F8WASaA4y37QCYZFSOTqW9rxNVRPKjgQycwvc9W9L~byNxJeZNqvDxDQzS2AUNUbxim0Pq7FoHy33WE0UjdqdHRZPxT3-8XwVtdq70N9FhAGeAdYLt0EJ6kSouTMrz~uo6LAMA6PhcrJzeF~gYP3uZhCBUwTvMriLfK5UbK25U-ysDF6Wp81kttvfD39qqkjOP9tHBEBrezCOuCa6Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard Senate Bill 5104, which would add a specific civil‑penalty enforcement tool for employers who coerce employees on the basis of immigration status while violating wage payment or condition‑of‑labor requirements.

Staff to the committee, Marlon Ioannis, summarized current law and the change in SB 5104. Ioannis said Washington currently allows a person owed wages to file a complaint with L&I; under the bill L&I must investigate allegations that an employer both violated a wage payment or condition‑of‑labor requirement and coerced the worker based on immigration status or the immigration status of a family member. Each coercive act would be a separate violation; L&I determinations would be appealable. The bill’s effective date was listed as July 1, 2026, and a fiscal note was requested.

Supporters said the bill fills an enforcement gap. Yasmin Hamoud described a client who worked four months with only one paycheck and said the employer threatened immigration enforcement when the worker sought wages; she urged the committee to pass a deterrent. Law students and worker advocates from the Fair Work Center said the measure gives L&I an explicit tool to impose penalties in coercion cases, streamlining enforcement where immigration threats accompany wage violations.

At least one witness urged clearer statutory language and implementation guardrails. Rose Gunderson, speaking from a victim‑services and anti‑trafficking perspective, said terms such as “implicit” and “communication” should be clarified to avoid chilling lawful employer speech and to ensure criminal trafficking investigations are referred appropriately rather than undermined by premature civil processes.

Ending: The committee closed the hearing after testimony; sponsors and staff indicated they would consider clarifying language and implementation details.","Senate Bill 5104 would allow the Washington Department of Labor & Industries to impose civil penalties on employers who coerce employees on the basis of immigration status while violating wage or labor‑condition laws, the Labor & Commerce Committee heard.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6380155,"Committee hears SB 5023 to extend labor protections to domestic workers; advocates and many domestic workers testify in favor",3337,2089000,5426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2133157-bb2ebd6fd63b27dd345c291d72c51510&start=2089&end=5426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2133157-bb2ebd6fd63b27dd345c291d72c51510/thumbnail_2089000.jpg","/articles/6380155/Washington/Committee-hears-SB-5023-to-extend-labor-protections-to-domestic-workers-advocates-and-many-domestic-workers-testify-in-favor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380155-09542245b7900b47b3259b99038a1d76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035764&Signature=m4CDyLkuH8~NTkNvx8my6klWX4AWkE7xizolH~pmTFtiSpAq~376MctsVRtmnEf8iTEECX~c~DyNVF5VEMGzjMJ6JwrFhPQGwvp-3-hMK9AP8Rz9Yhfk~S1Ga48rJT5RE8PdIqAZZUNrWV9s1wrFKPnRzdgQ84PymYv6rTRJPFWqDhzHU9tbnOzs00fJYy4jAsu52pdvHhCWABWj6Vqli9EZk7L13LnN7txjUDQJuw9R0puLHuQENal8Z0bQBn5SdBCpPhKrru-FNU1I~9dLiIj~8kXECAdg5TxkNyLlWHeMtUQFbJ4WEfd5Yl8GihAA-gNqASJiLjGl3Z0NtG~rpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Labor & Commerce Committee received extensive testimony on Senate Bill 5023, which proposes to extend labor market protections to domestic workers and remove long‑standing statutory exemptions.

Committee staff Susan Jones summarized the bill’s purpose and provisions. Jones told the committee the measure would require hiring entities to pay domestic workers at least the state minimum wage and overtime, provide required paid and unpaid meal and rest breaks, allow workers to retain personal effects (including passports), require specified written agreements, and impose notice periods (two weeks for termination, four weeks for live‑in workers) with severance when notice is not provided. The bill would prohibit hiring entities from requesting possession of a worker’s personal effects, engaging in discrimination or harassment, monitoring private activities, or taking adverse action based on immigration status. Jones said the bill would remove exceptions in the Minimum Wage Act, labor standards provisions, the Washington Law Against Discrimination, and workers’ compensation law for domestic workers; the attorney general would develop a model disclosure statement and the bill calls for agreements to be available in the eight most commonly spoken languages in Washington. L&I investigations, penalties and a private right of action are included; a fiscal note was requested but not yet available.

The hearing drew many in‑person and remote witnesses. Domestic workers shared first‑hand accounts of withheld pay, long hours without breaks, on‑the‑job injuries without coverage, and fear of retaliation — testimony delivered by workers including Danielle Alvarado (Fair Work Center), Sylvia Gonzalez and many named domestic workers who described years of low pay and lack of sick leave. Employer‑allies and community members, including Jordan Goldvarg (employer and Seattle Domestic Workers Standards Board member), described outreach showing many employers want clear rules but are unsure what is required.

The Department of Labor & Industries raised technical questions about implementing workers’ compensation for domestic workers and said it needs clarifying language to prepare a fiscal note and implement the law, if enacted. Witnesses urged the committee to advance the bill; the committee recorded that 460 had signed in pro, 304 con and 3 other. No formal committee vote occurred during the hearing.

Ending: The committee paused to hear other bills and closed testimony on SB 5023 after the large public comment period; sponsors indicated further technical discussions would be needed to resolve implementation details.","SB 5023 would extend minimum wage, overtime, meal/rest break, anti‑discrimination and other protections to domestic workers, remove several statutory exemptions, and require written agreements and notice periods. The bill drew large public participation and many personal testimonies from domestic workers and employer‑allies; Department of Labor &","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate hearing on SB 5062 probes proposed childcare workforce standards board; supporters cite workforce strain, opponents warn of cost

Senate hears SB 5217 to expand pregnancy accommodations; bill would require paid lactation break time and broaden employer coverage

Bill would penalize employers who coerce employees over immigration status; committee hears support and concerns about clarity

Committee hears SB 5023 to extend labor protections to domestic workers; advocates and many domestic workers testify in favor