[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6358153,"mediaKeyId","2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545","parentId",2212772,"title","Committee advances proposed substitute on personnel-file access after rejecting several narrowing amendments","audioSeconds",2594,"startMs",218000,"endMs",2812000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545&start=218&end=2812","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545/thumbnail_218000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358153/Washington/Committee-advances-proposed-substitute-on-personnel-file-access-after-rejecting-several-narrowing-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358153-6cb92a73534d4ff20d360acb32330e38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069959&Signature=RT1XN6g0SO--bbUvCE5JdoQbOOkt4L27~bh7nqkptnqNfSLqjBLqI2u3dASKH6xlt1CLbOwB6cN07QhFDWaqNcut2fK54ghSH~p8agJti5FEq5McZ7sLpsGteHTqiPIzG2sH67S6gG-~3ZJovFrlgsA~XHbjvsHr4awicVVFtrcPtaotF4ZXvwKT41dnclbU853M2ISxG72ltPHdUknQ8onJFFXVmShJxwvqt~bTItrdUb9mMve1g2zWAIHgJuqn9KBDrJW-qj6cx8XzS5E5x~76-Ln3gpMhBY9UuErjqKORoZygwPO9rtZ9H5-XHTdDAZmrnrsh~2fajI2eHrJ0Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Labor & Workplace Standards","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The proposed substitute to House Bill 1308, addressing employee access to personnel files, was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation on a 6–3 vote after extensive debate and multiple unsuccessful line-amendment attempts.

Staff summarized the proposed substitute: for employers not subject to the Public Records Act, an employer must provide an employee or former employee a copy of the personnel file within 21 days of request and provide a former employee, upon request, a statement of the discharge date and reasons, if any, for the discharge. The proposed substitute would make those specific provisions apply only to employers not subject to the Public Records Act; employers subject to the Public Records Act must follow Public Records Act procedures for responding to personnel-file requests.

Ranking Member Representative Schmidt offered six line amendments (Leon 906–911) that would have narrowed aspects of the personnel-file definition, limited what medical or disciplinary records must be produced, allowed an additional 21 calendar days in some circumstances, and removed the proposed private cause of action, replacing it with enforcement by the Department of Labor and Industries and a stepped penalty scheme (first violation: notice/offer of assistance; second: up to $750; subsequent: up to $1,000). Committee members repeatedly stated concerns about narrowing the file definition or eliminating a private right of action: Representative Ortiz Self argued the private right is “reasonable and a critical enforcement mechanism” because existing 10-day compliance has been unreliable; Representative McIntyre and others raised concerns about balancing employer and employee interests.

All six line amendments (Leon 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911) were put before the committee and not adopted. The committee then voted to report the proposed substitute itself out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The roll call recorded votes as: Berry (aye), Fosse (aye), Scott (aye), Schmidt (nay, do not pass), Ybarra (nay without recommendation), Bernofsky (aye), McIntyre (nay without recommendation), Obras/ Opruss (aye), Ortiz Self (aye). Staff announced the result as 6 ayes and 3 nays.

Key clarifications recorded in committee debate: Leon 910 (not adopted) would have allowed a private employer acting in good faith an additional 21 calendar days to produce a personnel file if the employer gives at least three days' written notice before the initial 21-day period expires. Leon 911 (not adopted) would have removed the bill's private cause of action against employers not subject to the Public Records Act and instead assigned enforcement to L&I with a graduated penalty schedule: first violation — notice/assistance; second — up to $750; subsequent — up to $1,000.

What happens next: the proposed substitute advances from committee with a due-pass recommendation; members indicated ongoing concerns about implementation details, enforcement mechanisms, and whether 21 days is the correct timeframe.

Votes at a glance: Proposed substitute House Bill 1308 — reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation; tally: 6 ayes, 3 nays.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Labor & Workplace Standards - 1/31/2025 10:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The committee reported the proposed substitute of House Bill 1308, requiring employers not subject to the Public Records Act to provide personnel-file copies within 21 days, out of committee with a due-pass recommendation on a 6–3 vote after rejecting six line amendments.","taxTitle","Labor & Workplace Standards, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20266,"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},6358168,"Committee approves substitute advancing PTSD presumption for correctional facility workers after expanding worker definitions",1114,49000,1163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545&start=49&end=1163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545/thumbnail_49000.jpg","/articles/6358168/Washington/Committee-approves-substitute-advancing-PTSD-presumption-for-correctional-facility-workers-after-expanding-worker-definitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358168-51b561a26063d09a8f5d640887120666/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069959&Signature=NbWBRhI5OiCB8xp203rNbu7bbBwKJCpGT2to8eSgeg2WoflVUkfYxbRXXiQUR1qyfXk7kZRJUUBkMgeDcFoV7JV6x79As6y1t5rSZ5UwpZbAVtcrQ3pAVTYuU3qZWTSziMKujClk3zVwQuT9koS2NzmZrXxNbGTeDEYcY5CNJ3ry9z92l~lc31RwQTA~wpBhPbAHqBW24UV1kMAVKN9nYz7X5ePS5Xv6C5dv8QHt4se6k6POrPumg66wv~rVnHBqYkKpOu-Tx4B0~j1qMpeRCvw~zcni4Srw-sBw4uB0AhyjVAtIiChFlZEYIx6V4oaopZ~-hAcmnd11M468lAPceA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Substitute House Bill 1070, which recognizes workers' compensation occupational disease claims for post-traumatic stress disorder and grants a presumption for correctional facility workers, was reported out of the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee with a due-pass recommendation on a 6–3 vote.

Staff described the bill as extending PTSD occupational-disease coverage to correctional facility workers and noted three line amendments in the committee packet. Ranking Member Representative Schmidt proposed amendments that would (1) remove a 90-day employment requirement while extending the presumption eligibility to employees with 10 years of service and (2) require L&I to set the premium rate for the correctional facility risk class to the lesser of actuarial indication or a director-set maximum. Representative Barry offered an amendment (MCCB007) to expand the statutory definition of correctional facility worker to include certain community corrections officers, juvenile facility staff and employees at town, city and county jails; that amendment was adopted.

Committee debate focused on the appropriate eligibility window for a presumption and on premium allocation. Opponents of the 10-year presumption substitute argued that many correctional employees face frequent traumatic events on the job and that delaying presumption eligibility for 10 years would withhold needed coverage. Proponents of the longer presumption and of industry-specific premium treatment raised concerns that broad, early eligibility could overwhelm L&I's claims-processing capacity and might result in cross-subsidization across unrelated employers.

After adopting MCCB007 to broaden the covered worker definition, the committee moved the adopted amendments into the substitute and voted to report substitute HB 1070 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The roll call recorded votes as: Berry (aye), Fosse (aye), Scott (aye), Schmidt (nay), Ybarra/Barra (nay without recommendation), Bernofsky (aye), McIntyre (nay), Opruss (aye), Ortiz Self (aye). Staff announced the vote as 6 ayes and 3 nays.

What happens next: the bill advances with the broader worker definition; members signaled they plan further work on premium-treatment and claims-processing issues during the interim.

Votes at a glance: Substitute House Bill 1070 — reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation; tally: 6 ayes, 3 nays.","Substitute House Bill 1070, which recognizes PTSD as an occupational disease and creates a presumption for correctional facility workers, was reported out of the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee with a due-pass recommendation on a 6–3 vote.",{"_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},6358173,"Committee advances bill recognizing PTSD as occupational disease for coroners, medical examiners",182,1099000,917000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545&start=1099&end=917","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545/thumbnail_1099000.jpg","/articles/6358173/Washington/Committee-advances-bill-recognizing-PTSD-as-occupational-disease-for-coroners-medical-examiners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358173-d159a3300219e288c87bcbd5e8b45d97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069959&Signature=HbtNXnR4dB-GeIzUMnDoTeFlkqDj3gr9FZo8EHbSGwsZ1v14rRsXLO6P37GGXsGh1wiSHJcRz7m16sTAwhngkmAg8bBMQIr9PrsYS0TGzkxQ5eNFxbRTI9MdiUnbqVHhN~TfmSyYnvnni5dXV6uV0c1H~-fRQhAVEtgaQvHZPm3VNeGfldqTO8lOufsKS0QNkuIDR9kHIBmELqgz1XkT7E7D~0GU4Aj29922AxOApKMihv8gajbDwGP2HXsBgsaHsNchm6pbD61yb74LortCksrXnYm80L5kwyG8VE4dF7yPE81eQLA9VNJB0Iz6OqKUiSf-pZaCvgF7bHPqwbt29g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1002, which would allow county coroners and medical examiner personnel to file workers' compensation occupational disease claims for post-traumatic stress disorder, was reported out of the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee with a due-pass recommendation on a 7–2 vote.

The bill as presented to the committee would add coroners and medical examiner staff to classes eligible to seek PTSD-based workers' compensation claims. Staff described two amendments in the bill packet related to how costs from the claims should be handled by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).

The bill matters because workers who regularly investigate traumatic deaths, the staff and lawmakers said, face elevated PTSD risk and may need access to workers' compensation benefits to cover treatment and recovery. Committee debate focused less on whether these workers should be covered and more on how to pay for the claims and whether costs should be “socialized” across all employers or assigned to specific rate classes.

Ranking Member Representative Joe Schmidt (ranking member) proposed an amendment (MCCB012) that would require L&I to set the premium rate for the coroner/medical examiner risk class to the lesser of an actuarially indicated rate change or a director-set maximum and to allow general rate changes that apply to all risk classes. Schmidt said the amendment is intended to reduce cross-subsidization across unrelated industries: “this is trying to be a little bit more fair with that and not have other industries across the whole state pay for more of the PTSD claims.”

Chair Berry and others said they welcome the policy conversation but wanted more time to study premium-setting and claims administration before changing who bears the cost. Chair Berry asked members to withhold support for the amendment so staff and lawmakers can craft a more complete approach in the interim. The committee voted not to adopt MCCB012.

On final passage the committee adopted the motion to report HB 1002 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The roll call that was read aloud in the transcript recorded votes as: Berry (aye), Fosse (aye), Scott (aye), Schmidt (nay), Ybarra (aye), Bernofsky (aye), McIntyre (nay), Opruss/Opras (aye), Ortiz Self (aye). Staff announced the result as 7 ayes and 2 nays.

What happens next: the committee advanced the bill to the next step with a recommendation to pass. Members who opposed the final motion said they intend to continue working on implementation details—particularly claims processing capacity at L&I and rate-setting—during the interim.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 1002 — reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation; tally: 7 ayes, 2 nays.","House Bill 1002, which would allow county coroners and medical examiner personnel to file PTSD-based workers' compensation claims, was reported out of the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee with a due-pass recommendation on a 7–2 vote.",{"_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},6358158,"Committee advances bill tightening OFM salary-survey requirements for ferry employees",1513,205000,1718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545&start=205&end=1718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545/thumbnail_205000.jpg","/articles/6358158/Washington/Committee-advances-bill-tightening-OFM-salary-survey-requirements-for-ferry-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358158-c32823aef6f2c4c682655f709424ae0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069959&Signature=fvRUWuAeO1kp8OlBBNQB7i-B~OXvNahb62zBtMsUnEECV-N1SOari7ulCvJXoWRlSsxrjrixIVZE~y0fP9EXeiJe6nt8A6aBaMmnVbj0zRsY~AY2S2McttKSraEfRMCbXjtUOW9TLLIaVCRl48B3v7y7Ppk77nmHXAQQZCYqaJL4j~8QDfxF6eqp2-jGv~gT2wNDEwYCEADWSOSPB25lG1Wvqbf1pFfcI04Q9knpNlBPzCYWrHpgR6m2UXX-wDGmUuOZnKT~uwCKFOtZQH4yk4WJnQ6mGgioO6a~JWSiHvm3PACLsxbG9-amxVxCCdceseZD~iY1sCrlt~tDPLIvTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1264, which establishes more detailed requirements for OFM salary surveys for ferry employees, was reported out of the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee with a due-pass recommendation. There were no amendments to the bill in committee.

Members who spoke in favor said ferry workers near retirement and need predictable salary and benefit structures to remain employed until retirement. Representative Ortiz Self urged a yes vote, saying ferry workers “are having a really hard time retiring and working way longer than they would like to provide for their families.” Representative Barra echoed support, noting similar past action for state patrol and the need to retain ferry employees.

Staff recorded the committee vote as 9 ayes. The bill advances to the next legislative stage with a recommendation to pass.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 1264 — reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation; tally: 9 ayes.","House Bill 1264, which sets more detailed requirements for Office of Financial Management (OFM) salary surveys for ferry employees, was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by a recorded voice/roll indicating 9 ayes.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358163,"Committee forwards bill granting interest arbitration to certain parks employees",1453,160000,1613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545&start=160&end=1613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212772-4370642412b3eca80d4f06c49ae88545/thumbnail_160000.jpg","/articles/6358163/Washington/Committee-forwards-bill-granting-interest-arbitration-to-certain-parks-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358163-f1550a2e3e49700a6796579b6d2a8f9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069959&Signature=jHTkmmsKnCUzj1PN228Fz6rkz~lPpVhk-3qgF8pDrU6snaFIpkIZr7yN71NHv93S~G90Oex6cRrL9B-CPWgoLBEcGwdlZRyvcXgEK8kSDL~4mPoy5BVc6ffjUtBD~7Ja1Pe6yPpoufBnAVgSmj3XJA5QcHa8nMXS4xXlHkz-5P5E8TEoaUYrb1sKkihMXWu6EK1GgNNzN2xcyWrIfcwSa~3ME9TmjyaJ303DVkLtYZTh8~2~hPRhBoiTF3m0HnV4XBefURE5C25N7pht62k~Kn7LSFIfXm6jm7x5BYefD6HSTwg2GnbwR3QXTV1Sh6NIHBEOHM2e0QsbHzW-N~7Czg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Substitute House Bill 1182, described to the committee as granting interest arbitration to parks employees covered by civil service law and certain Washington Management Service employees, was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. Committee members agreed to an amendment restoring the exclusion from interest arbitration for Washington Management Service employees at the Department of Corrections.

Staff identified two amendments in the packet. Representative Barry moved MCCB014 to restore exclusion from interest arbitration for Washington Management Service employees at the Department of Corrections; members supported the amendment and adopted it. Members noted that another amendment (MCB010) had been withdrawn.

Representative Ibarra spoke in support of the bill, noting that parks employees often work alone in isolated conditions and that interest arbitration provides a dispute-resolution path that can help retain employees in rural counties. The committee used a voice vote and staff recorded nine ayes; no nays were recorded during the voice vote.

What happens next: substitute HB 1182 advances from committee with a due-pass recommendation and the adopted exclusion for DOC Washington Management Service employees incorporated into the substitute.","Substitute House Bill 1182, which would grant interest arbitration to specified Parks & Recreation Commission employees while preserving exclusions for certain management-service employees at the Department of Corrections, was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by voice vote (9 ayes recorded).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances proposed substitute on personnel-file access after rejecting several narrowing amendments

Committee approves substitute advancing PTSD presumption for correctional facility workers after expanding worker definitions

Committee advances bill recognizing PTSD as occupational disease for coroners, medical examiners

Committee advances bill tightening OFM salary-survey requirements for ferry employees

Committee forwards bill granting interest arbitration to certain parks employees