Effective July 1, 2025, Washington State will implement new legal protections prohibiting employers from coercing employees based on their immigration status. Senate Bill 5104 targets the misuse of workers’ immigration status to undermine wage laws, labor conditions, and agricultural labor standards.
Under the legislation, “coercion” is defined as threatening or compelling an individual to engage in or refrain from actions they are legally entitled to undertake. “Threats” include explicit or implicit intimidation directed at employees or their family members’ immigration status, intended to prevent workers from exercising protected rights or participating in enforcement activities under state labor regulations. However, the bill does not clearly outline which actions qualify as “protected activities” nor does it define the scope of “family members.”
Employees who suspect they have experienced such coercion can file complaints with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries within 180 days of the alleged incident. The department is also authorized to initiate investigations independently if it uncovers potential violations during other cases.
Penalties for employers found in violation escalate with repeated offenses, starting at $1,000 for the first violation, increasing to $5,000 for the second, and reaching $10,000 for subsequent infractions.
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