title: RCW 49.46.340

text:
(1) It is unlawful for a transportation network company to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of any driver right provided under or in connection with RCW 49.46.300 and 49.46.210(5). This means a transportation network company may not use a driver's exercise of any of the rights provided under RCW 49.46.300 and 49.46.210(5) as a factor in any action that adversely affects the driver's use of the transportation network.
(2) It is unlawful for a transportation network company to adopt or enforce any policy that counts the use of earned paid sick time for a purpose authorized under RCW 49.46.210(1) (b) and (c) as time off the platform that may lead to or result in temporary or permanent deactivation by the transportation network company against the driver.
(3) It is unlawful for a transportation network company to take any adverse action against a driver because the driver has exercised their rights provided under RCW 49.46.300 and 49.46.210(5). Such rights include, but are not limited to: Filing an action, or instituting or causing to be instituted any proceeding under or related to RCW 49.46.300 and 49.46.210(5), or testifying or intending to testify in any such proceeding related to any rights provided under RCW 49.46.300 and 49.46.210(5).
(4) Adverse action means any action taken or threatened by a transportation network company against a driver for the driver's exercise of rights under RCW 49.46.300 and 49.46.210(5).
(5) A driver who believes that he or she was subject to retaliation by a transportation network company for the exercise of any driver right under RCW 49.46.300 and 49.46.210(5) may file a complaint with the department within 180 days of the alleged retaliatory action. The department may, at its discretion, extend the 180-day period on recognized equitable principles or because of extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the department. The department may extend the 180-day period when there is a preponderance of evidence that the transportation network company has concealed or misled the driver regarding the alleged retaliatory action.
(6) If a driver files a timely complaint with the department alleging retaliation, the department shall investigate the complaint and issue either a citation and notice of assessment or a determination of compliance within 90 days after the date on which the department received the complaint, unless the complaint is otherwise resolved. The department may extend the period by providing advance written notice to the driver and the transportation network company setting forth good cause for an extension of the period, and specifying the duration of the extension.
(7) The department may consider a complaint to be otherwise resolved when the driver and the transportation network company reach a mutual agreement to remedy any retaliatory action, or the driver voluntarily and on the driver's own initiative withdraws the complaint.
(8) If the department's investigation finds that the driver's allegation of retaliation cannot be substantiated, the department shall issue a determination of compliance to the driver and the transportation network company detailing such finding.
(9) If the department's investigation finds that the transportation network company retaliated against the driver, and the complaint is not otherwise resolved, the department may, at its discretion, notify the transportation network company that the department intends to issue a citation and notice of assessment, and may provide up to 30 days after the date of such notification for the transportation network company to take corrective action to remedy the retaliatory action. If the complaint is not otherwise resolved, then the department shall issue a citation and notice of assessment. The department's citation and notice of assessment may:
(a) Order the transportation network company to make payable to the driver earnings that the driver did not receive due to the transportation network company's retaliatory action, including interest of one percent per month on all earnings owed. The earnings and interest owed will be calculated from the first date earnings were owed to the driver;
(b) Order the transportation network company to restore the contract of the driver, unless otherwise prohibited by law;
(c) Order the transportation network company to cease using any policy that counts the use of earned paid sick time as time off the platform or an adverse action against the driver;
(d) For the first violation, order the transportation network company to pay the department a civil penalty established in subsection (15) of this section; and
(e) For a repeat violation, order the transportation network company to pay the department up to double the civil penalty established in subsection (15) of this section.
(10) The department shall send the citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance to both the transportation network company and driver by service of process or using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed to their last known addresses. A transportation network company may designate a mailing address of record for service, and additionally may provide an email address to which the department shall direct electronic courtesy copies of mailed correspondence, if such email address is provided.
(11) During an investigation of the driver's retaliation complaint, if the department discovers information suggesting alleged violations by the transportation network company of the driver's other rights under this chapter, and all applicable rules, the department may investigate and take appropriate enforcement action without requiring the driver to file a new or separate complaint. In the event the department so expands an investigation, it shall provide reasonable notice to the transportation network company that it is doing so. If the department determines that the transportation network company violated additional rights of the driver under this chapter, and all applicable rules, the transportation network company may be subject to additional enforcement actions for the violation of such rights. If the department discovers information alleging the transportation network company retaliated against or otherwise violated rights of other drivers under this chapter, and all applicable rules, the department may launch further investigation under this chapter, and all applicable rules, without requiring additional complaints to be filed.
(12) The department may prioritize retaliation investigations as needed to allow for timely resolution of complaints.
(13) Nothing in this section impedes the department's ability to investigate under the authority prescribed in RCW 49.48.040.
(14) Nothing in this section precludes a driver's right to pursue private legal action, if any exists.
(15) If the department's investigation finds that a transportation network company retaliated against a driver, pursuant to the procedures outlined in this section, the department may order the transportation network company to pay the department a civil penalty. A civil penalty for a transportation network company's retaliatory action will not be less than $1,000 or an amount equal to 10 percent of the total amount of unpaid earnings attributable to the retaliatory action per claimant, whichever is greater. The maximum civil penalty for a transportation network company's retaliatory action shall be $20,000 per claimant for the first violation, and $40,000 for each repeat violation.
(16) The department may, at any time, waive or reduce any civil penalty assessed against a transportation network company under this section if the department determines that the transportation network company has taken corrective action to remedy the retaliatory action.
(17) The department will deposit civil penalties paid under this section in the wage recovery account created under RCW 49.48.231.
(18) Collections of amounts owed for unpaid citations and notices of assessment, as detailed in this section, will be handled pursuant to the procedures outlined in RCW 49.48.086.
(19) A person, firm, or corporation aggrieved by a citation and notice of assessment or a determination of compliance may, within 30 days after the date of such determination, submit a request for reconsideration to the department setting forth the grounds for seeking such reconsideration, or submit an appeal to the director pursuant to the procedures outlined in subsection (22) of this section. If the department receives a timely request for reconsideration, the department shall either accept the request or treat the request as a notice of appeal.
(20) If a request for reconsideration is accepted, the department shall send notice of the request for reconsideration to the transportation network company and the driver. The department shall determine if there are any valid reasons to reverse or modify the department's original decision to issue a citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance within 30 days of receipt of such request. The department may extend this period by providing advance written notice to the driver and transportation network company setting forth good cause for an extension of the period, and specifying the duration of the extension. After reviewing the reconsideration, the department shall either:
(a) Notify the driver and the transportation network company that the citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance is affirmed; or
(b) Notify the driver and the transportation network company that the citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance has been reversed or modified.
(21) A request for reconsideration submitted to the department shall stay the effectiveness of the citation and notice of assessment or the determination of compliance pending the reconsideration decision by the department.
(22)(a) Within 30 days after the date the department issues a citation and notice of assessment or a determination of compliance, or within 30 days after the date the department issues its decision on the request for reconsideration, a person, firm, or corporation aggrieved by a citation and notice of assessment or a determination of compliance may file with the director a notice of appeal.
(b) A notice of appeal filed with the director under this section shall stay the effectiveness of the citation and notice of assessment or the determination of compliance pending final review of the appeal by the director as provided for in chapter 34.05 RCW.
(c) Upon receipt of a notice of appeal, the director shall assign the hearing to an administrative law judge of the office of administrative hearings to conduct the hearing and issue an initial order. The hearing and review procedures shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, and the standard of review by the administrative law judge of an appealed citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance shall be de novo. Any party who seeks to challenge an initial order shall file a petition for administrative review with the director within 30 days after service of the initial order. The director shall conduct administrative review in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.
(23) If a request for reconsideration is not submitted to the department within 30 days after the date of the original citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance, and a person, firm, or corporation aggrieved by a citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance did not submit an appeal to the director, then the citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance is final and binding, and not subject to further appeal.
(24) The director shall issue all final orders after appeal of the initial order. The final order of the director is subject to judicial review in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.
(25) The director's orders that are not appealed within the time period specified in this section and chapter 34.05 RCW are final and binding, and not subject to further appeal.
(26) Absent good cause, a transportation network company that fails to allow adequate inspection of records in an investigation by the department under this section within a reasonable time period may not use such records in any appeal under such rules to challenge the correctness of any determination by the department.
[ 2026 c 53 s 9; 2022 c 281 s 5.]

catchline: Transportation network companies—Unlawful practices—Retaliation—Penalties—Request for reconsideration—Appeals.


doc_type: statute

jurisdiction: wa

title: RCW 49.46.350

text:
(1) If a driver files a complaint with the department alleging that the transportation network company failed to provide the driver with earned paid sick time as provided in RCW 49.46.210, the department shall investigate the complaint as an alleged violation of a compensation-related requirement of RCW 49.46.300.
(2) When the department's investigation results in a finding that the transportation network company failed to provide the driver with earned paid sick time accrual, use, or carryover during an ongoing contractual relationship, the driver may elect to:
(a) Receive full access to the balance of accrued earned paid sick time hours unlawfully withheld by the transportation network company, based on a calculation of one hour of earned paid sick time for every 40 hours of passenger platform time worked; or
(b) Receive payment from the transportation network company at their average hourly compensation for each hour of earned paid sick time that the driver would have used or been reasonably expected to use, whichever is greater, during the period of noncompliance, not to exceed an amount the driver would have otherwise accrued. The driver will receive full access to the balance of accrued earned paid sick time unlawfully withheld by the transportation network company, less the number of earned paid sick time paid out to the driver pursuant to this subsection.
(3) For a driver whose contract with the transportation network company is terminated or who has not recorded passenger platform time on the transportation network company's driver platform for 365 days or more, when the department's investigation results in a finding that the transportation network company failed to provide the driver with earned paid sick time accrual, use, or carryover, the driver may elect to receive payment at their average hourly compensation for earned paid sick time that the driver would have earned or been reasonably expected to use, whichever is greater, during the period of noncompliance, receive reinstatement of the balance of earned paid sick time, or receive a combination of payment and reinstatement from the transportation network company for all earned paid sick time that would have accrued during the period of noncompliance, unless such reinstatement is prohibited by law.
(4) The department's notice of assessment, pursuant to RCW 49.48.083, may order the transportation network company to provide the driver any combination of reinstatement and payment of accrued, unused earned paid sick time assessed pursuant to subsection (2) or (3) of this section, unless such reinstatement is prohibited by law.
(5) For purposes of this section, a transportation network company found to be in noncompliance cannot cap the driver's carryover of earned paid sick time at 40 hours to the following year for each year of noncompliance.
(6) The department may promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with this section.
[ 2022 c 281 s 7.]

license: public-domain-government-work

rule_set: Revised Code of Washington

catchline: Transportation network companies—Paid sick time—Department investigation—Notice of assessment—Rules.

code: rcw

unit: section

court: Washington State Legislature


title: RCW 49.46.360

text:
(1) No adult entertainment establishment may allow any person under the age of 18 on the premises. If an establishment serves alcohol, the establishment may not allow any person under the age of 21 on the premises. This includes, but is not limited to, any employee, entertainer, contractor, or customer.
(2) Any leasing fee or other fee charged by an establishment to an entertainer must:
(a) Apply equally to all entertainers in a given establishment;
(b) Be stated in a written contract; and
(c) Continue to apply for a period of not less than three months with effective dates.
(3) An establishment may not charge an entertainer:
(a) Any fees or interest for late payment or nonpayment of any fee;
(b) A fee for failure to appear at a scheduled time;
(c) Any fees or interest that result in the entertainer carrying forward an unpaid balance from any previously incurred leasing fee;
(d) Any leasing fee in an amount greater than the entertainer receives during the applicable period of access to or usage of the establishment premises; or
(e)(i) Within an eight-hour period, any leasing fee that exceeds:
(A) The lesser of $150 or 30 percent of amounts collected by the entertainer, excluding amounts collected for adult entertainment provided in a private performance area; and
(B) 30 percent of amounts collected by the entertainer for adult entertainment provided in a private performance area.
(ii) If an establishment charges an entertainer a leasing fee, the contract must include a method for estimating the total amount collected by the entertainer in any eight-hour period for the purposes of this subsection [(3)](e).
(4) This section does not prevent an establishment from providing leasing discounts or credits to encourage scheduling or charge leasing fees that vary based on the time of day.
(5) All establishments must display signage in areas designated for entertainers that entertainers are not required to surrender any tips or gratuities and an establishment may not take adverse action against an entertainer in response to the entertainer's use or collection of tips or gratuities.
(6) No establishment may refuse to provide an entertainer with written notice of the reason or reasons for any termination or refusal to rehire the entertainer. Such notice must be provided within 10 business days of the termination or refusal to rehire the entertainer.
(7) The department may enforce subsections (2) through (6) of this section under the provisions of this chapter and any applicable rules. Any amounts owed to an entertainer under this section may be enforced as a wage payment requirement under RCW 49.48.082. Any other violation may be enforced as an administrative violation under this chapter and any applicable rules. The department must share information regarding violations of this section with the liquor and cannabis board.
(8) The department may adopt rules to implement this chapter.
(9) The department must adjust the dollar amount in subsection (3)(e) of this section every two years, beginning January 1, 2027, based upon changes in the consumer price index during that time period.
(10) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Adult entertainment" has the same meaning as in RCW 49.17.470.
(b) "Adult entertainment establishment" or "establishment" has the same meaning as in RCW 49.17.470.
(c) "Entertainer" means any person who provides adult entertainment within an adult entertainment establishment, whether or not a fee is charged or accepted for entertainment and whether or not the person is an employee under RCW 49.46.010.
(d) "Leasing fee" means a fee, charge, or other request for money from an entertainer by an establishment in exchange for the entertainer's access or use of the establishment premises or for allowing an entertainer to conduct entertainment on the premises.
[ 2024 c 250 s 2.]
Notes:
Effective date—2024 c 250 ss 1 and 2: See note following RCW 49.17.470.
Rule repeal—2024 c 250: See note following RCW 66.24.720.

catchline: Adult entertainment establishments—Age restrictions—Fees—Tips—Notice of reason for termination—Enforcement—Definitions.


title: RCW 49.46.370

text:
(1) Any employer that coerces an employee in furtherance of the employer committing a violation of wage payment requirements as defined in chapter 49.48 RCW, condition of labor requirements as defined in chapter 49.12 RCW, or any violations under chapter 49.30 RCW, including rules issued by the department pursuant to chapter 49.30 RCW, is subject to a civil penalty under this section, in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed by the department against an employer for those violations. If an employer's violation subjects the employer to a penalty under this section and a separate penalty under RCW 49.46.100, the employer must be assessed the higher amount of the two penalties.
(2) A worker who believes the worker was subject to coercion by the worker's employer based on the worker's immigration status may file a complaint with the department within 180 days of the alleged coercive action.
(3)(a) The department must investigate a complaint of coercion by an employer based on immigration status.
(b) Unless otherwise resolved, the department shall issue either a notice of citation assessing a penalty or a closure letter no later than 90 days after the date on which the department received the complaint.
(c) The department may extend the time period by providing advance written notice to the employee and the employer setting forth good cause for an extension of the time period and specifying the duration of the extension.
(d) The department shall send the citation assessing a penalty or closure letter to both the employer and the employee by service of process or using a method by which the citation assessing a penalty or closure letter can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed to their last known addresses. Before using an electronic method for the first time under this section, the department must provide the employer and the employee the option to receive communication through a nonelectronic method.
(e) If the department's investigation finds that the employee's allegation cannot be substantiated, the department must issue a closure letter to the employee and employer detailing such finding.
(f) If the department determines the employer violated this section, the department must assess a civil penalty for each coercive act as follows:
(i) For the first violation, a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000;
(ii) For the second violation, a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000; and
(iii) For any subsequent violation, a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.
(4) Each act of coercion against each affected employee constitutes a separate violation of chapter 236, Laws of 2025.
(5) The department shall deposit all civil penalties paid under this section in the wage recovery account created under RCW 49.48.231.
(6)(a) The penalties payable pursuant to this section shall be adjusted for inflation every three years, beginning July 1, 2028, based upon changes in the consumer price index during that time period.
(b) For purposes of this subsection, "consumer price index" means, for any calendar year, that year's average consumer price index for the Seattle, Washington area for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items, compiled by the bureau of labor statistics, United States department of labor.
(7) Any personal information about the employee or the employee's family members, including names, in a complaint or investigation is confidential and may be disclosed only to the employer. Any personal information may not be disclosed to any other person or entity without the written permission of the employee.
(8) If, during an investigation of any other complaint, the department discovers information that suggests an employer has coerced an employee based on immigration status, the department may investigate and take appropriate enforcement action without requiring the employee to file a new or separate complaint.
(9)(a) A person, firm, or corporation aggrieved by a citation assessing a civil penalty issued by the department under this section may appeal the citation to the director by filing a notice of appeal with the director within 30 days of the department's issuance of the citation. A citation assessing a civil penalty not appealed within 30 days is final and binding, and not subject to further appeal.
(b) A notice of appeal filed with the director under this section stays the effectiveness of the citation assessing a civil penalty pending final review of the appeal by the director as provided for in chapter 34.05 RCW.
(c) Upon receipt of a notice of appeal, the director shall assign the hearing to an administrative law judge of the office of administrative hearings to conduct the hearing and issue an initial order. The hearing and review procedures must be conducted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, and the standard of review by the administrative law judge of an appealed citation assessing a civil penalty shall be de novo. Any party who seeks to challenge an initial order shall file a petition for administrative review with the director within 30 days after service of the initial order. The director will conduct administrative review in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.
(d) The director shall issue all final orders after appeal of the initial order. The final order of the director is subject to judicial review in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.
(e) Orders that are not appealed within the period specified in this section and chapter 34.05 RCW are final and binding, and not subject to further appeal.
(f) An employer who fails to allow adequate inspection of records in an investigation by the department under this section within a reasonable time period may not use such records in any appeal under such rules to challenge the correctness of any determination by the department of penalties assessed.
(10) The collections procedures under RCW 49.48.086 apply to this section.
(11) For the purposes of this section, "department" means the department of labor and industries.
[ 2026 c 77 s 20; 2026 c 53 s 10; 2025 c 236 s 2.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2026 c 53 s 10 and by 2026 c 77 s 20, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
Rules—2025 c 236: "The department of labor and industries may adopt rules to implement this act." [ 2025 c 236 s 3.]
Effective date—2025 c 236: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2025." [ 2025 c 236 s 4.]

catchline: Employee immigration status coercion.


title: RCW 49.46.380

text:
(1) Employers associated with a material recovery facility that annually manages 25,000 tons or more of covered materials under chapter 70A.208 RCW must ensure that workers at the facility receive minimum industry standard compensation, beginning October 1, 2028.
(2) Employers are not required to establish "usual benefit" programs. However, if an employer chooses not to provide such benefits, wages paid must be at the full minimum industry standard rate.
(3)(a) If more than one collective bargaining agreement exists that covers similar or equivalent work in the same county, the higher rate applies.
(b) If no collective bargaining agreement exists that covers similar or equivalent work in the same county, the rate in the county with a collective bargaining agreement that is closest geographically applies.
(4) The minimum industry standard compensation requirements of this section constitute a wage payment requirement as defined in RCW 49.48.082. The department of labor and industries may otherwise enforce this provision as a wage under RCW 49.48.040 through 49.48.080 and the applicable provisions of chapter 49.52 RCW.
(5)(a) The director may initiate an investigation without an employee's complaint to ensure compliance with this section. The department of labor and industries may also initiate an investigation on behalf of one or more employees when the director has reason to believe that a violation has occurred or will occur.
(b) The department of labor and industries may conduct a consolidated investigation for any alleged violation identified under this section, or associated rules, when there are common questions of law or fact. If the department of labor and industries consolidates such matters into a single investigation, the department of labor and industries must provide notice to the employer.
(c) The department of labor and industries may request that an employer perform a self-audit of any records relating to this section, which must be provided within a reasonable time. Reasonable timelines will be specified in the self-audit request. The department of labor and industries must determine reasonable time based on the number of affected employees and the period of time covered by the self-audit. The records examined by the employer in order to perform the self-audit must be made available to the department of labor and industries upon request.
(d) Upon request of the department of labor and industries, an employer must notify affected employees in writing that the department is conducting an investigation. The department of labor and industries may require the employer to include a general description of each investigation as part of the notification, including the allegations and whether the notified employee may be affected. The employer may consult with the department of labor and industries to provide the information for the description of the notification of investigation.
(e) Upon receiving a complaint, the department of labor and industries may request or subpoena the records of the material recovery facility.
(f) In addition to any enforcement authority provided in this section or applicable rules, the department of labor and industries may enforce any violation under this section or applicable rules by filing an action in the superior court for the county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred. If the department of labor and industries prevails, the department is entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, in the amount to be determined by the court.
(6) The department of labor and industries may adopt rules to implement this section.
(7) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Minimum industry standard compensation" means a wage and usual benefits package equal to or greater than the combined hourly wage and usual benefits package set by a collective bargaining agreement that covers similar or equivalent work in a county.
(b) "Rate of contribution" means the effective annual rate of usual benefit contributions for all hours, public and private, worked during the year by an employee (commonly referred to as "annualization" of benefits). The only exemption to the annualization requirements is for defined contribution pension plans that have immediate participation and vesting.
(c)(i) "Usual benefits" includes the amount of:
(A) The rate of contribution irrevocably made by an employer to a trustee or to a third person pursuant to a fund, plan, or program; and
(B) The rate of costs to the employer, which may be reasonably anticipated in providing benefits to workers pursuant to an enforceable commitment to carry out a financially responsible plan or program that was communicated in writing to the workers affected, for medical or hospital care, pensions on retirement or death, compensation for all injuries or illness resulting from occupational activity, or insurance to provide any of the foregoing, for unemployment benefits, life insurance, disability and sickness insurance, or accident insurance, for vacation and holiday pay, for defraying costs of apprenticeship or other similar programs, or for other bona fide fringe benefits, but only where the employer is not required by other federal, state, or local law to provide any of these benefits.
(ii) To be deemed a "usual benefit," both of the following requirements must be satisfied:
(A) Employer payments for the usual benefit are made only in conformance with all applicable federal and state laws, including the requirements of the employment retirement income security act of 1974, as amended, and of the internal revenue service; and
(B) Employee payments toward the usual benefit, through self-contribution, payroll deduction, or otherwise, do not constitute a credit to the employer for minimum industry standard compensation purposes.
[ 2025 c 316 s 304.]

catchline: Material recovery facility—Minimum industry standard compensation—Investigation—Rule making.


title: RCW 49.46.800

text:
(1) All existing rights and remedies available under state or local law for enforcement of the minimum wage shall be applicable to enforce all of the rights established under chapter 2, Laws of 2017.
(2)(a) If the department of social and health services contracts with an individual provider for personal care services or respite care services, the state shall pay individual providers, as defined in RCW 74.39A.240, in accordance with the minimum wage, overtime, and paid sick leave requirements of this chapter, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(b) A consumer directed employer contracting with the state is an employer of individual providers for the purposes of this chapter. Individual providers are employees of the consumer directed employer.
(c) Neither the department of social and health services nor the consumer directed employer may avail itself of any state law minimum wage or overtime exemption, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(3) The definitions in this subsection apply to this section:
(a) "Authorized hours" means the number of paid hours of care included in the client's plan of care as determined by the department of social and health services.
(b) "Client" has the same meaning as in RCW 74.39A.009.
(c) "Consumer directed employer" has the same meaning as in RCW 74.39A.009.
(d) "Family member" includes, but is not limited to, a parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin, grandparent, grandchild, grandniece, grandnephew, or such relatives when related by marriage, adoption, or domestic partnership.
(e) "Household member" means an individual provider who lives with the client and did so before the employment relationship between the client and individual provider began.
(f) "Individual provider" has the same meaning as in RCW 74.39A.240.
(g) "Personal care services" has the same meaning as in RCW 74.39A.009.
(4)(a) Hours worked by an individual provider in excess of the number of authorized hours in the client's plan of care are not compensable if:
(i) The individual provider is a family member or household member of the client, as defined by this section; and
(ii) The client's plan of care is reasonable.
(b) This subsection (4) does not apply to hours worked to address temporary emergencies or an unexpected health or safety event of the client that cannot be postponed.
(c) A client's plan of care is reasonable under (a)(ii) of this subsection if all of the following are true:
(i) The plan of care includes the same number of paid hours it would have if the individual provider were not a family member or household member of the client;
(ii) The plan of care does not reflect unequal treatment of an individual provider or their client because of their familial or household relationship. Unequal treatment includes the plan of care including fewer paid hours than it would have if the client's individual provider were not a family or household member of the client; the plan of care including fewer paid hours because the client's individual provider shares in the benefit of a personal care service or task provided to the client; the plan of care including fewer paid hours because the client lives in a multiclient household and two or more clients benefit from the same personal care service or task being performed; or the plan of care including fewer paid hours because of paid or unpaid assistance provided to a client by that client's paid provider; and
(iii) The department of social and health services does not otherwise require an increase in the hours of unpaid services performed by the family or household member individual provider in order to reduce the number of hours of paid services.
(d) A determination that a plan of care is reasonable for purposes of this section does not mean that the amount or type of services or paid hours to be provided are or are not appropriate for the client under chapter 74.39A RCW.
(5) The department of social and health services retains its core responsibility to manage long-term in-home care services under chapters 74.39A and 74.41 RCW and its authority to set a client's benefit level as required by RCW 74.09.520(3). However, to limit an individual provider's compensable hours as described in subsection (4)(a) of this section, a plan of care must satisfy the requirements of subsection (4)(a) and (c) of this section.
(6) The director of labor and industries may adopt rules to implement this section.
[ 2024 c 224 s 1; 2017 c 2 s 6 (Initiative Measure No. 1433, approved November 8, 2016).]
Notes:
Retroactive application—Applicability—2024 c 224: "(1) This act is curative and remedial. It applies retroactively and prospectively to all actions filed under RCW 49.46.800, regardless of when they were filed, except for the actions referenced in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to the following actions: Liang v. State of Washington, No. 20-2-02506-34 (Thurston Cnty. Superior Court); SEIU 775 v. Washington State Dep't of Soc. And Health Servs., No. 97216-8 (Washington Supreme Court); or SEIU 775 v. Washington State Dep't of Soc. And Health Servs., No. 99659-8 (Washington Supreme Court)." [ 2024 c 224 s 2.]
Intent—Effective date—2017 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1433): See notes following RCW 49.46.005.

catchline: Rights and remedies—Long-term care individual providers covered under this chapter—Definitions—Compensable hours.


title: RCW 49.46.810

text:
The state department of labor and industries must adopt and implement rules to carry out and enforce chapter 2, Laws of 2017, including but not limited to procedures for notification to employees and reporting regarding sick leave, and protecting employees from retaliation for the lawful use of sick leave and exercising other rights under this chapter. The department's rules for enforcement of rights under chapter 2, Laws of 2017 shall be at least equal to enforcement of the minimum wage.
[ 2017 c 2 s 10 (Initiative Measure No. 1433, approved November 8, 2016).]
Notes:
Intent—Effective date—2017 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1433): See notes following RCW 49.46.005.

catchline: Adoption, implementation of rules.


title: RCW 49.46.820

text:
The provisions of chapter 2, Laws of 2017 are to be liberally construed to effectuate the intent, policies, and purposes of chapter 2, Laws of 2017. Nothing in chapter 2, Laws of 2017 precludes local jurisdictions from enacting additional local fair labor standards that are more favorable to employees, including but not limited to more generous minimum wage or paid sick leave requirements.
[ 2017 c 2 s 11 (Initiative Measure No. 1433, approved November 8, 2016).]
Notes:
Intent—Effective date—2017 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1433): See notes following RCW 49.46.005.

catchline: Chapter 2, Laws of 2017 to be liberally construed—Local jurisdictions may adopt more favorable labor standards.


title: RCW 49.46.830

text:
Chapter 2, Laws of 2017 shall be codified in chapter 49.46 RCW and is subject to RCW 49.46.040 (Investigation, etc.) and RCW 49.46.070 (Recordkeeping).
[ 2017 c 2 s 12 (Initiative Measure No. 1433, approved November 8, 2016).]
Notes:
Intent—Effective date—2017 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1433): See notes following RCW 49.46.005.

catchline: Chapter 2, Laws of 2017 subject to investigation and recordkeeping provisions.


title: RCW 49.46.910

text:
This chapter may be known and cited as the "Washington Minimum Wage Act."
[ 1961 ex.s. c 18 s 6; 1959 c 294 s 14.]

catchline: Short title.


title: RCW 49.46.920

text:
This 1975 amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect September 1, 1975.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 289 s 5.]

catchline: Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 289.


title: RCW 49.48.010

text:
(1)(a) When any employer pays an employee's wages with any instrument defined by RCW 62A.3-104 that is subsequently returned for nonsufficient funds, the employer shall reimburse the employee for a fee charged by the employee's financial institution for the dishonored instrument so long as the employee presents the instrument within 30 days of its receipt.
(b) The employer shall not be liable to reimburse any fees incurred by the employee if the employer presents written confirmation by the employer's financial institution that the instrument was returned for nonsufficient funds due to an error.
(2) When any employee shall cease to work for an employer, whether by discharge or by voluntary withdrawal, the wages due him or her on account of his or her employment shall be paid to him or her at the end of the established pay period: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That this subsection shall not apply when workers are engaged in an employment that normally involves working for several employers in the same industry interchangeably, and the several employers or some of them cooperate to establish a plan for the weekly payment of wages at a central place or places and in accordance with a unified schedule of paydays providing for at least one payday each week; but this subsection shall not apply to any such plan until ten days after notice of their intention to set up such a plan shall have been given to the director of labor and industries by the employers who cooperate to establish the plan; and having once been established, no such plan can be abandoned except after notice of their intention to abandon such plan has been given to the director of labor and industries by the employers intending to abandon the plan: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the duty to pay an employee forthwith shall not apply if the labor-management agreement under which the employee has been employed provides otherwise.
(3) It shall be unlawful for any employer to withhold or divert any portion of an employee's wages unless the deduction is:
(a) Required by state or federal law; or
(b) Except as prohibited under RCW 49.48.160, specifically agreed upon orally or in writing by the employee and employer; or
(c) For medical, surgical, or hospital care or service, pursuant to any rule or regulation: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the deduction is openly, clearly, and in due course recorded in the employer's books and records.
(4) Subsection (3) of this section shall not be construed to affect the right of any employer or former employer to sue upon or collect any debt owed to said employer or former employer by his or her employees or former employees.
[ 2022 c 28 s 1; 2020 c 84 s 3; 2010 c 8 s 12047; 1971 ex.s. c 55 s 1; 1947 c 181 s 1; 1905 c 112 s 1; 1888 c 128 s 1; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 7594.]
Notes:
Saving—1888 c 128: "This act is not to be construed as affecting any bona fide contract heretofore entered into contrary to its provisions and existing at the date of the passage hereof, and continuing by reason of limitation of said contract being still in force." [ 1888 c 128 s 4; no RRS.]
Effective date—1888 c 128: "This act is to take effect on and after its approval." [ 1888 c 128 s 5; no RRS.]
General repealer—1888 c 128: "All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this act be and the same are hereby repealed." [ 1888 c 128 s 6; no RRS.]
The foregoing annotations apply to RCW 49.48.010 through 49.48.030.

catchline: Payment of wages/nonsufficient funds—Employer must reimburse employee for fees charged—Exception—Payment of wages due to employee ceasing work to be at end of pay period—Exceptions—Authorized deductions or withholdings.


title: RCW 49.48.020

text:
Any person, firm, or corporation which violates any of the provisions of RCW 49.48.010 through 49.48.030 and 49.48.060 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
[ 1971 ex.s. c 55 s 2; 1933 ex.s. c 20 s 1; 1888 c 128 s 2; RRS s 7595.]
Notes:
Wages—Deductions—Rebates, authorized withholding: RCW 49.52.060.

catchline: Penalty for noncompliance with RCW 49.48.010 through 49.48.030 and 49.48.060.


title: RCW 49.48.030

text:
In any action in which any person is successful in recovering judgment for wages or salary owed to him or her, reasonable attorney's fees, in an amount to be determined by the court, shall be assessed against said employer or former employer: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That this section shall not apply if the amount of recovery is less than or equal to the amount admitted by the employer to be owing for said wages or salary.
[ 2010 c 8 s 12048; 1971 ex.s. c 55 s 3; 1888 c 128 s 3; RRS s 7596.]

catchline: Attorney's fee in action on wages—Exception.


title: RCW 49.48.040

text:
(1) The department of labor and industries may:
(a) Upon obtaining information indicating an employer may be committing a violation under this chapter and chapters 39.12 and 49.46 RCW and associated rules, conduct investigations to ensure compliance with this chapter and chapters 39.12 and 49.46 RCW and associated rules;
(b) Order the payment of all amounts owed the workers under this chapter and chapters 39.12 and 49.46 RCW, and associated rules and institute actions necessary for the collection of the amounts determined owed; and
(c) Take assignments of claims under this chapter and chapters 39.12 and 49.46 RCW, and associated rules and prosecute actions for the collection of amounts owed of persons who are financially unable to employ counsel when in the judgment of the director of the department the claims are valid and enforceable in the courts.
(2) When the department orders the payment of all amounts owed under subsection (1)(b) of this section in an administrative order, including interest of one percent per month on all wages owed, the department may also assess penalties under RCW 49.48.083(3). The amounts and interest owed must be calculated from the first date amounts were owed to the employee, except that the department may not order the employer to pay any amounts and interest that were owed more than three years before the date the department obtained information indicating an employer may have committed violations under this chapter and chapters 39.12 and 49.46 RCW or associated rules. Appeals to administrative orders issued under this section are conducted pursuant to RCW 49.48.084. Collections of the administrative orders issued under this section are conducted pursuant to RCW 49.48.086.
(3) The director of the department or any authorized representative may, for the purpose of carrying out RCW 49.48.040 through 49.48.080: (a) Issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses or parties and the production of books, papers, or records; (b) administer oaths and examine witnesses under oath; (c) take the verification of proof of instruments of writing; and (d) take depositions and affidavits. If assignments for wage claims are taken, court costs shall not be payable by the department for prosecuting such suits.
(4) The director shall have a seal inscribed "Department of Labor and Industries—State of Washington" and all courts shall take judicial notice of such seal. Obedience to subpoenas issued by the director or authorized representative shall be enforced by the courts in any county.
(5) The director or authorized representative shall have free access to all places and works of labor. Any employer or any agent or employee of such employer who refuses the director or authorized representative admission therein, or who, when requested by the director or authorized representative, willfully neglects or refuses to furnish the director or authorized representative any statistics or information pertaining to his or her lawful duties, which statistics or information may be in his or her possession or under the control of the employer or agent, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
[ 2026 c 176 s 1; 1987 c 172 s 1; 1935 c 96 s 1; RRS s 7596-1.]

catchline: Enforcement of wage claims—Issuance of subpoenas—Compliance.


title: RCW 49.48.050

text:
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to limit the authority of the prosecuting attorney of any county to prosecute actions, both civil and criminal, for such violations of RCW 49.48.040 through 49.48.080 as may come to his or her knowledge, or to enforce the provisions hereof independently and without specific direction of the director of labor and industries.
[ 2010 c 8 s 12049; 1935 c 96 s 2; RRS s 7596-2.]

catchline: Remedy cumulative.


title: RCW 49.48.060

text:
(1) If upon investigation by the director, after taking assignments of any wage claim under RCW 49.48.040 or after receiving a wage complaint as defined in RCW 49.48.082 from an employee, it appears to the director that the employer is representing to his or her employees that he or she is able to pay wages for their services and that the employees are not being paid for their services, the director may require the employer to give a bond in such sum as the director deems reasonable and adequate in the circumstances, with sufficient surety, conditioned that the employer will for a definite future period not exceeding six months conduct his or her business and pay his or her employees in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington.
(2) If within 10 days after demand for such bond the employer fails to provide the same, the director may commence a suit against the employer in the superior court of appropriate jurisdiction to compel him or her to furnish such bond or cease doing business until he or she has done so. The employer shall have the burden of proving the amount thereof to be excessive.
(3) If the court finds that there is just cause for requiring such bond and that the same is reasonable, necessary, or appropriate to secure the prompt payment of the wages of the employees of such employer and his or her compliance with one or more wage payment requirements as defined in RCW 49.48.082, the court shall enjoin such employer from doing business in this state until the requirement is met, or shall make other, and may make further, orders appropriate to compel compliance with the requirement.
(4) Upon being informed of a wage claim against an employer or former employer, the director shall, if such claim appears to be just, immediately notify the employer or former employer, of such claim using an electronic or nonelectronic method. Before using an electronic method for the first time under this subsection, the department must provide the employer or the former employer the option to receive communication through a nonelectronic method. If the employer or former employer fails to pay the claim or make satisfactory explanation to the director of his or her failure to do so, within 30 days thereafter, the employer or former employer shall be liable to a penalty of 10 percent of that portion of the claim found to be justly due. The director shall have a cause of action against the employer or former employer for the recovery of such penalty, and the same may be included in any subsequent action by the director on said wage claim, or may be exercised separately after adjustment of such wage claim without court action. This subsection does not apply to wage complaints made under RCW 49.48.083.
[ 2026 c 77 s 21. Prior: 2010 c 42 s 5; 2010 c 8 s 12050; 1971 ex.s. c 55 s 4; 1935 c 96 s 3; RRS s 7596-3.]

catchline: Director may require bond after assignment of wage claims or receipt of a wage complaint—Court action—Penalty for failure to pay wage claim.


title: RCW 49.48.070

text:
It shall be the duty of the director of labor and industries to inquire diligently for any violations of RCW 49.48.040 through 49.48.080, and to institute the actions for penalties herein provided, and to enforce generally the provisions of RCW 49.48.040 through 49.48.080.
[ 1935 c 96 s 4; RRS s 7596-4.]

catchline: Enforcement.


title: RCW 49.48.075

text:
(1) The director of labor and industries, or the director's designee, may enter into reciprocal agreements with the labor department or corresponding agency of any other state or with the person, board, officer, or commission authorized to act on behalf of such department or agency, for the collection in such other states of claims or judgments for wages and other demands based upon claims assigned to the director.
(2) The director, or the director's designee, may, to the extent provided for by any reciprocal agreement entered into by law or with an agency of another state as herein provided, maintain actions in the courts of such other state for the collection of claims for wages, judgments, and other demands and may assign such claims, judgments, and demands to the labor department or agency of such other state for collection to the extent that such an assignment may be permitted or provided for by the law of such state or reciprocal agreement.
(3) The director, or the director's designee, may, upon the written consent of the labor department or corresponding agency of any other state or of the person, board, officer, or commission of such state authorized to act on behalf of such labor department or corresponding agency, maintain actions in the courts of Washington upon assigned claims for wages, judgments, and demands arising in such other state in the same manner and to the same extent that such actions by the director are authorized when arising in Washington. Such actions may be maintained only in cases where such other state by law or reciprocal agreement extends a like comity to cases arising in Washington.
[ 1985 c 48 s 1.]

catchline: Reciprocal enforcement agreements with other states.


title: RCW 49.48.080

text:
Nothing in RCW 49.48.040 through 49.48.080 shall apply to the payment of wages or compensation of employees directly employed by any county, incorporated city or town, or other municipal corporation. Nor shall anything herein apply to employees, directly employed by the state, any department, bureau, office, board, commission or institution hereof.
[ 1935 c 96 s 5; RRS s 7596-5.]

catchline: Public employees excluded.


title: RCW 49.48.082

text:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and RCW 49.48.083 through 49.48.086:
(1) "Citation" means a written determination by the department that a wage payment requirement has been violated.
(2) "Department" means the department of labor and industries.
(3) "Determination of compliance" means a written determination by the department that wage payment requirements have not been violated.
(4) "Director" means the director of the department of labor and industries, or the director's authorized representative.
(5) "Employee" has the meaning provided in: (a) RCW 49.46.010 for purposes of a wage payment requirement set forth in RCW 49.46.020 or 49.46.130; and (b) RCW 49.12.005 for purposes of a wage payment requirement set forth in RCW 49.48.010, 49.52.050, or 49.52.060.
(6) "Employer" has the meaning provided in RCW 49.46.010 for purposes of a wage payment requirement set forth in RCW 49.46.020, 49.46.130, 49.48.010, 49.52.050, or 49.52.060.
(7) "Notice of assessment" means a written notice by the department that, based on a citation, the employer shall pay the amounts assessed under RCW 49.48.083.
(8) "Repeat willful violator" means any employer that has been the subject of a final and binding citation and notice of assessment for a willful violation of a wage payment requirement within three years of the date of issue of the most recent citation and notice of assessment for a willful violation of a wage payment requirement.
(9) "Successor" means any person to whom an employer quitting, selling out, exchanging, or disposing of a business sells or otherwise conveys in bulk and not in the ordinary course of the employer's business, more than 50 percent of the property, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, of the employer's business.
(10) "Wage" has the meaning provided in RCW 49.46.010.
(11) "Wage complaint" means a complaint from an employee to the department that asserts that an employer has violated one or more wage payment requirements and that is reduced to writing.
(12) "Wage payment requirement" means a wage payment requirement set forth in RCW 49.46.020, 49.46.130, 49.48.010, 49.52.050, 49.52.060, or 49.46.380, and any related rules adopted by the department.
(13) "Willful" means a knowing and intentional action that is neither accidental nor the result of a bona fide dispute, as evaluated under the standards applicable to wage payment violations under RCW 49.52.050(2).
[ 2025 c 316 s 305. Prior: 2010 c 42 s 1; 2006 c 89 s 1.]
Notes:
Captions not law—2006 c 89: "Captions used in this act are not any part of the law." [ 2006 c 89 s 8.]

catchline: Wage complaints—Definitions.


title: RCW 49.48.083

text:
(1)(a) If an employee files a wage complaint with the department, the department ((shall))may investigate the wage complaint. In determining which complaints will be investigated, the department must establish a written process by which wage complaints will be prioritized based on factors including, but not limited to, the harm to the affected employee, the severity of the complaint, the number of employees potentially affected, and the probability of retaliation. The department's enforcement priorities must be made publicly available.
(b) Unless otherwise resolved, when the department accepts a complaint, the department shall issue either a citation and notice of assessment or a determination of compliance no later than 60 days after the date on which the department ((received))accepted the wage complaint. The department may extend the time period by providing advance written notice to the employee and the employer setting forth good cause for an extension of the time period and specifying the duration of the extension.
(c) The department may not investigate any alleged violation of a wage payment requirement that occurred more than three years before the date that the employee filed the wage complaint.
(d) The department shall send the citation and notice of assessment or the determination of compliance to both the employer and the employee by service of process or using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed to their last known addresses.
(e) During an investigation, if the department discovers information suggesting additional violations of any requirements related to compensation under this chapter, or any associated rule, the department may expand its investigation and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure compliance, without any additional complaints filed. The department may also initiate an investigation on behalf of one or more employees for a violation of any requirement related to compensation under this chapter or any associated rule, when the department has reason to believe a violation has occurred or will occur.
(f) The department may conduct a consolidated investigation for any alleged violation of a requirement related to compensation under this chapter or associated rule when there are common questions of law or fact involving employees of the same employer.
(2) If the department determines that an employer has violated a wage payment requirement and issues to the employer a citation and notice of assessment, the department may order the employer to pay employees all wages owed, including interest of one percent per month on all wages owed, to the employee. The wages and interest owed must be calculated from the first date wages were owed to the employee, except that the department may not order the employer to pay any wages and interest that were owed more than three years before the date the wage complaint was filed with the department.
(3) If the department determines that the violation of the wage payment requirement was a willful violation, the department also may order the employer to pay the department a civil penalty as specified in (a) of this subsection. The department shall assess a civil penalty against any repeat willful violator or any willful violator where the employer previously settled or otherwise resolved a wage complaint more than once in the preceding 12 months or three times in the preceding 24 months.
(a)(i) A civil penalty for a willful violation of a wage payment requirement shall be not less than ((one thousand dollars))$1,500 or an amount equal to ((ten))10 percent of the total amount of unpaid wages, whichever is greater. ((The maximum civil penalty for a willful violation of a wage payment requirement shall be twenty thousand dollars))Beginning in 2030, and every three years thereafter, the department shall increase the base penalty amount by the cumulative rate of inflation, rounded to the nearest 50 dollars, using the same process provided in RCW 49.46.020.
(ii) The department shall, by rule, create a matrix of criteria for the imposition of penalties. In creating the matrix, the department must consider the appropriateness of the penalty with respect to the number of affected employees of the employer subject to the penalty, the gravity of the violation, the size of the employer's business, the good faith of the employer, the source or cause of any error, the promptness of remedy, the employer's history of previous complaints and violations, including enhancements for repeat willful violations, or other factors the department considers relevant.
(b) The department may not assess a civil penalty if the employer reasonably relied on: (i) A rule related to any wage payment requirement; (ii) a written order, ruling, approval, opinion, advice, determination, or interpretation of the director; or (iii) an interpretive or administrative policy issued by the department and filed with the office of the code reviser. In accordance with the department's retention schedule obligations under chapter 40.14 RCW, the department shall maintain a complete and accurate record of all written orders, rulings, approvals, opinions, advice, determinations, and interpretations for purposes of determining whether an employer is immune from civil penalties under (b)(ii) of this subsection.
(c) The department ((shall))may waive any civil penalty assessed against an employer under this section if ((the))all of the following conditions are met: The employer is not a repeat willful violator, the employer has not previously settled or otherwise resolved a wage complaint more than once in the preceding 12 months or three times in the preceding 24 months, and the director determines that the employer has provided payment to the employee of all wages and interest that the department determined that the employer owed to the employee, including interest, within ((ten))10 business days of the employer's receipt of the citation and notice of assessment from the department.
(d) The department may ((waive or)) reduce at any time a civil penalty assessed under this section if the director determines that the employer paid all wages and interest owed to an employee.
(e) ((The))Until June 11, 2026, the department shall deposit civil penalties paid under this section in the supplemental pension fund established under RCW 51.44.033. Beginning on June 11, 2026, the department shall deposit all civil penalties paid under this chapter in the wage recovery account created under RCW 49.48.231.
(4) Upon payment by an employer, and acceptance by an employee, of all wages and interest assessed by the department in a citation and notice of assessment issued to the employer, the fact of such payment by the employer, and of such acceptance by the employee, shall: (a) Constitute a full and complete satisfaction by the employer of all specific wage payment requirements addressed in the citation and notice of assessment; and (b) bar the employee from initiating or pursuing any court action or other judicial or administrative proceeding based on the specific wage payment requirements addressed in the citation and notice of assessment. The citation and notice of assessment shall include a notification and summary of the specific requirements of this subsection.
(5) The applicable statute of limitations for civil actions is tolled ((during the department's investigation of))for an employee's wage complaint against an employer once filed with the department. For the purposes of this subsection, ((the department's investigation))a complaint filed with the department begins on the date the employee files the wage complaint with the department and ends when: (a) The wage complaint is finally determined through a final and binding citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance; ((or)) (b) the department notifies the employer and the employee in writing that the wage complaint has been otherwise resolved or that the employee has elected to terminate the department's administrative action under RCW 49.48.085; or (c) the department notifies the worker the wage complaint will not be accepted.
(6) For all wage complaints filed on or after January 1, 2024, if the department offers the employer the option to resolve a wage complaint without a citation and notice of assessment, and the employer chooses to accept the offer, any settlement must include interest of one percent per month on all amounts owed. The employee may request a waiver or reduction of interest as part of the settlement process.
[ 2026 c 53 s 1; 2023 c 243 s 1; 2011 c 301 s 16; 2010 c 42 s 2; 2006 c 89 s 2.]
PDF
RCW 49.48.083
Wage complaints—Duty of department to investigate—Citations and notices of assessment—Civil penalties (as amended by 2026 c 77).
(1) If an employee files a wage complaint with the department, the department shall investigate the wage complaint. Unless otherwise resolved, the department shall issue either a citation and notice of assessment or a determination of compliance no later than 60 days after the date on which the department received the wage complaint. The department may extend the time period by providing advance ((written)) notice to the employee and the employer setting forth good cause for an extension of the time period and specifying the duration of the extension. The department may not investigate any alleged violation of a wage payment requirement that occurred more than three years before the date that the employee filed the wage complaint. The department shall send the citation and notice of assessment or the determination of compliance to both the employer and the employee ((by service of process or)) using ((a))an electronic or nonelectronic method by which the ((mailing))citation and notice of assessment or the determination of compliance can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed to their last known addresses. Before using an electronic method for the first time under this subsection, the department must provide the employer and the employee the option to receive communication through a nonelectronic method.
(2) If the department determines that an employer has violated a wage payment requirement and issues to the employer a citation and notice of assessment, the department may order the employer to pay employees all wages owed, including interest of one percent per month on all wages owed, to the employee. The wages and interest owed must be calculated from the first date wages were owed to the employee, except that the department may not order the employer to pay any wages and interest that were owed more than three years before the date the wage complaint was filed with the department.
(3) If the department determines that the violation of the wage payment requirement was a willful violation, the department also may order the employer to pay the department a civil penalty as specified in (a) of this subsection.
(a) A civil penalty for a willful violation of a wage payment requirement shall be not less than ((one thousand dollars))$1,000 or an amount equal to ((ten))10 percent of the total amount of unpaid wages, whichever is greater. The maximum civil penalty for a willful violation of a wage payment requirement shall be ((twenty thousand dollars))$20,000.
(b) The department may not assess a civil penalty if the employer reasonably relied on: (i) A rule related to any wage payment requirement; (ii) a written order, ruling, approval, opinion, advice, determination, or interpretation of the director; or (iii) an interpretive or administrative policy issued by the department and filed with the office of the code reviser. In accordance with the department's retention schedule obligations under chapter 40.14 RCW, the department shall maintain a complete and accurate record of all written orders, rulings, approvals, opinions, advice, determinations, and interpretations for purposes of determining whether an employer is immune from civil penalties under (b)(ii) of this subsection.
(c) The department shall waive any civil penalty assessed against an employer under this section if the employer is not a repeat willful violator, and the director determines that the employer has provided payment to the employee of all wages that the department determined that the employer owed to the employee, including interest, within ((ten))10 business days of the employer's receipt of the citation and notice of assessment from the department.
(d) The department may waive or reduce at any time a civil penalty assessed under this section if the director determines that the employer paid all wages and interest owed to an employee.
(e) The department shall deposit civil penalties paid under this section in the supplemental pension fund established under RCW 51.44.033.
(4) Upon payment by an employer, and acceptance by an employee, of all wages and interest assessed by the department in a citation and notice of assessment issued to the employer, the fact of such payment by the employer, and of such acceptance by the employee, shall: (a) Constitute a full and complete satisfaction by the employer of all specific wage payment requirements addressed in the citation and notice of assessment; and (b) bar the employee from initiating or pursuing any court action or other judicial or administrative proceeding based on the specific wage payment requirements addressed in the citation and notice of assessment. The citation and notice of assessment shall include a notification and summary of the specific requirements of this subsection.
(5) The applicable statute of limitations for civil actions is tolled during the department's investigation of an employee's wage complaint against an employer. For the purposes of this subsection, the department's investigation begins on the date the employee files the wage complaint with the department and ends when: (a) The wage complaint is finally determined through a final and binding citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance; or (b) the department notifies the employer and the employee in writing that the wage complaint has been otherwise resolved or that the employee has elected to terminate the department's administrative action under RCW 49.48.085.
(6) For all wage complaints filed on or after January 1, 2024, if the department offers the employer the option to resolve a wage complaint without a citation and notice of assessment, and the employer chooses to accept the offer, any settlement must include interest of one percent per month on all amounts owed. The employee may request a waiver or reduction of interest as part of the settlement process.
[ 2026 c 77 s 22; 2023 c 243 s 1; 2011 c 301 s 16; 2010 c 42 s 2; 2006 c 89 s 2.]
PDF
RCW 49.48.083
Wage complaints—Duty of department to investigate—Citations and notices of assessment—Civil penalties (as amended by 2026 c 176).
(1)(a) If an employee files a wage complaint with the department, the department ((shall))may investigate the wage complaint. In determining which complaints will be investigated, the department must establish a written process by which wage complaints will be prioritized based on factors including, but not limited to, the harm to the affected employee, the severity of the complaint, the number of employees potentially affected, and the probability of retaliation. The department's enforcement priorities must be made publicly available.
(b) Unless otherwise resolved, when the department ((shall issue))accepts a complaint, the department shall issue either a citation and notice of assessment or a determination of compliance no later than 60 days after the date on which the department ((received))accepted the wage complaint. The department may extend the time period by providing advance written notice to the employee and the employer setting forth good cause for an extension of the time period and specifying the duration of the extension. The department may not investigate any alleged violation of a wage payment requirement that occurred more than three years before the date that the employee filed the wage complaint. The department shall send the citation and notice of assessment or the determination of compliance to both the employer and the employee by service of process or using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed to their last known addresses.
(2) If the department determines that an employer has violated a wage payment requirement and issues to the employer a citation and notice of assessment, the department may order the employer to pay employees all wages owed, including interest of one percent per month on all wages owed, to the employee. The wages and interest owed must be calculated from the first date wages were owed to the employee, except that the department may not order the employer to pay any wages and interest that were owed more than three years before the date the wage complaint was filed with the department.
(3) If the department determines that the violation of the wage payment requirement was a willful violation, the department also may order the employer to pay the department a civil penalty as specified in (a) of this subsection.
(a) A civil penalty for a willful violation of a wage payment requirement shall be not less than ((one thousand dollars))$1,000 or an amount equal to ((ten))10 percent of the total amount of unpaid wages, whichever is greater. The maximum civil penalty for a willful violation of a wage payment requirement ((shall be twenty thousand dollars))is $20,000.
(b) The department may not assess a civil penalty if the employer reasonably relied on: (i) A rule related to any wage payment requirement; (ii) a written order, ruling, approval, opinion, advice, determination, or interpretation of the director; or (iii) an interpretive or administrative policy issued by the department and filed with the office of the code reviser. In accordance with the department's retention schedule obligations under chapter 40.14 RCW, the department shall maintain a complete and accurate record of all written orders, rulings, approvals, opinions, advice, determinations, and interpretations for purposes of determining whether an employer is immune from civil penalties under (b)(ii) of this subsection.
(c) The department shall waive any civil penalty assessed against an employer under this section if the employer is not a repeat willful violator, and the director determines that the employer has provided payment to the employee of all wages that the department determined that the employer owed to the employee, including interest, within ((ten))10 business days of the employer's receipt of the citation and notice of assessment from the department.
(d) The department may waive or reduce at any time a civil penalty assessed under this section if the director determines that the employer paid all wages and interest owed to an employee.
(e) The department shall deposit civil penalties paid under this section in the supplemental pension fund established under RCW 51.44.033.
(4) Upon payment by an employer, and acceptance by an employee, of all wages and interest assessed by the department in a citation and notice of assessment issued to the employer, the fact of such payment by the employer, and of such acceptance by the employee, shall: (a) Constitute a full and complete satisfaction by the employer of all specific wage payment requirements addressed in the citation and notice of assessment; and (b) bar the employee from initiating or pursuing any court action or other judicial or administrative proceeding based on the specific wage payment requirements addressed in the citation and notice of assessment. The citation and notice of assessment shall include a notification and summary of the specific requirements of this subsection.
(5) The applicable statute of limitations for civil actions is tolled ((during the department's investigation of))for an employee's wage complaint against an employer once filed with the department. For the purposes of this subsection, ((the department's investigation begins))a complaint is filed with the department on the date the employee files the wage complaint with the department and ends when: (a) The wage complaint is finally determined through a final and binding citation and notice of assessment or determination of compliance; ((or)) (b) the department notifies the employer and the employee in writing that the wage complaint has been otherwise resolved or that the employee has elected to terminate the department's administrative action under RCW 49.48.085; or (c) the department notifies the worker the wage complaint will not be accepted.
(6) For all wage complaints filed on or after January 1, 2024, if the department offers the employer the option to resolve a wage complaint without a citation and notice of assessment, and the employer chooses to accept the offer, any settlement must include interest of one percent per month on all amounts owed. The employee may request a waiver or reduction of interest as part of the settlement process.
[ 2026 c 176 s 2; 2023 c 243 s 1; 2011 c 301 s 16; 2010 c 42 s 2; 2006 c 89 s 2.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: RCW 49.48.083 was amended three times during the 2026 legislative session, without reference to one another. For rule of construction concerning sections amended more than once during the same legislative session, see RCW 1.12.025.
Captions not law—2006 c 89: See note following RCW 49.48.082.

catchline: Wage complaints—Duty of department to investigate—Citations and notices of assessment—Civil penalties (as amended by 2026 c 53).


title: RCW 49.48.084

text:
(1) A person, firm, or corporation aggrieved by a citation and notice of assessment or a determination of compliance issued by the department under RCW 49.48.083 or the assessment of civil penalty due to a determination of status as a repeat willful violator may appeal the citation and notice of assessment, the determination of compliance, or the assessment of civil penalty to the director by filing a notice of appeal with the director within thirty days of the department's issuance of the citation and notice of assessment, the determination of compliance, or the assessment of civil penalty. A citation and notice of assessment, a determination of compliance, or an assessment of a civil penalty not appealed within thirty days is final and binding, and not subject to further appeal.
(2) A notice of appeal filed with the director under this section shall stay the effectiveness of the citation and notice of assessment, the determination of compliance, or the assessment of civil penalty pending final review of the appeal by the director as provided for in chapter 34.05 RCW.
(3) Upon receipt of a notice of appeal, the director shall assign the hearing to an administrative law judge of the office of administrative hearings to conduct the hearing and issue an initial order. The hearing and review procedures shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, and the standard of review by the administrative law judge of an appealed citation and notice of assessment, an appealed determination of compliance, or an appealed assessment of civil penalty shall be de novo. Any party who seeks to challenge an initial order shall file a petition for administrative review with the director within thirty days after service of the initial order. The director shall conduct administrative review in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.
(4) The director shall issue all final orders after appeal of the initial order. The final order of the director is subject to judicial review in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.
(5) Orders that are not appealed within the time period specified in this section and chapter 34.05 RCW are final and binding, and not subject to further appeal.
(6) An employer who fails to allow adequate inspection of records in an investigation by the department under this chapter within a reasonable time period may not use such records in any appeal under this section to challenge the correctness of any determination by the department of wages owed or penalty assessed.
[ 2010 c 42 s 3; 2006 c 89 s 3.]
Notes:
Captions not law—2006 c 89: See note following RCW 49.48.082.

catchline: Wage complaints—Administrative appeals.


title: RCW 49.48.085

text:
(1) An employee who has filed a wage complaint with the department may elect to terminate the department's administrative action, thereby preserving any private right of action, by providing written notice to the department within ten business days after the employee's receipt of the department's citation and notice of assessment.
(2) If the employee elects to terminate the department's administrative action: (a) The department shall immediately discontinue its action against the employer; (b) the department shall vacate a citation and notice of assessment already issued by the department to the employer; and (c) the citation and notice of assessment, and any related findings of fact or conclusions of law by the department, and any payment or offer of payment by the employer of the wages, including interest, assessed by the department in the citation and notice of assessment, shall not be admissible in any court action or other judicial or administrative proceeding.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or affect: (a) The right of any employee to pursue any judicial, administrative, or other action available with respect to an employer; (b) the right of the department to pursue any judicial, administrative, or other action available with respect to an employee that is identified as a result of a wage complaint; or (c) the right of the department to pursue any judicial, administrative, or other action available with respect to an employer in the absence of a wage complaint. For purposes of this subsection, "employee" means an employee other than an employee who has filed a wage complaint with the department and who thereafter has elected to terminate the department's administrative action as provided in subsection (1) of this section.
[ 2006 c 89 s 4.]
Notes:
Captions not law—2006 c 89: See note following RCW 49.48.082.

catchline: Wage complaints—Employee termination of administrative action.


title: RCW 49.48.086

text:
(1) After a final order is issued under RCW 49.48.084, if an employer defaults in the payment of: (a) Any wages determined by the department to be owed to an employee, including interest; or (b) any civil penalty ordered by the department under RCW 49.48.083, the director may file with the clerk of any county within the state a warrant in the amount of the payment plus any filing fees. The clerk of the county in which the warrant is filed shall immediately designate a superior court cause number for the warrant, and the clerk shall cause to be entered in the judgment docket under the superior court cause number assigned to the warrant, the name of the employer mentioned in the warrant, the amount of payment due on it plus any filing fees, and the date when the warrant was filed. The aggregate amount of the warrant as docketed becomes a lien upon the title to, and interest in, all real and personal property of the employer against whom the warrant is issued, the same as a judgment in a civil case docketed in the office of the clerk. The sheriff shall proceed upon the warrant in all respects and with like effect as prescribed by law with respect to execution or other process issued against rights or property upon judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction. The warrant so docketed is sufficient to support the issuance of writs of garnishment in favor of the state in a manner provided by law in case of judgment, wholly or partially unsatisfied. The clerk of the court is entitled to a filing fee which will be added to the amount of the warrant. A copy of the warrant shall be mailed to the employer within three days of filing with the clerk.
(2)(a) The director may issue to any person, firm, corporation, other entity, municipal corporation, political subdivision of the state, a public corporation, or any agency of the state, a notice and order to withhold and deliver property of any kind when he or she has reason to believe that there is in the possession of the person, firm, corporation, other entity, municipal corporation, political subdivision of the state, public corporation, or agency of the state, property that is or will become due, owing, or belonging to an employer upon whom a notice of assessment has been served by the department for payments or civil penalties due to the department. The effect of a notice and order is continuous from the date the notice and order is first made until the liability out of which the notice and order arose is satisfied or becomes unenforceable because of lapse of time. The department shall release the notice and order when the liability out of which the notice and order arose is satisfied or becomes unenforceable by reason of lapse of time and shall notify the person against whom the notice and order was made that the notice and order has been released.
(b) The notice and order to withhold and deliver must be served by the sheriff of the county or by the sheriff's deputy, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by the director. A person, firm, corporation, other entity, municipal corporation, political subdivision of the state, public corporation, or agency of the state upon whom service has been made shall answer the notice within twenty days exclusive of the day of service, under oath and in writing, and shall make true answers to the matters inquired of in the notice and order. Upon service of the notice and order, if the party served possesses any property that may be subject to the claim of the department, the party shall promptly deliver the property to the director. The director shall hold the property in trust for application on the employer's indebtedness to the department, or for return without interest, in accordance with a final determination of a petition for review. In the alternative, the party shall furnish a good and sufficient surety bond satisfactory to the director conditioned upon final determination of liability. If a party served and named in the notice fails to answer the notice within the time prescribed in this section, the court may render judgment by default against the party for the full amount claimed by the director in the notice, together with costs. If a notice is served upon an employer and the property subject to it is wages, the employer may assert in the answer all exemptions provided for by chapter 6.27 RCW to which the wage earner is entitled.
(c) As an alternative to the methods of service described in this section, the department may electronically serve a financial institution with a notice and order to withhold and deliver by providing a list of its outstanding warrants, except those for which a payment agreement is in good standing, to the department of revenue. The department of revenue may include the warrants provided by the department in a notice and order to withhold and deliver served under RCW 82.32.235(3). A financial institution that is served with a notice and order to withhold and deliver under this subsection (2)(c) must answer the notice within the time period applicable to service under RCW 82.32.235(3). The department and the department of revenue may adopt rules to implement this subsection (2)(c).
(3)(a) In addition to the procedure for collection of wages owed, including interest, and civil penalties as set forth in this section, the department may recover wages owed, including interest, and civil penalties assessed under RCW 49.48.083 in a civil action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction of the county where the violation is alleged to have occurred.
(b) The department may use the procedures under this section to foreclose wage liens established under chapter 60.90 RCW. When the department is foreclosing on a wage lien, the date the wage lien was originally filed shall be the date by which priority is determined, regardless of the date the warrant is filed under this section. If a claimant has timely notified the department that the claimant will pursue foreclosure on their own, without the department's assistance, the department is not required to file a warrant under this section and is relieved from any liability related to foreclosing on the claimant's wage lien.
(4) Whenever any employer quits business, sells out, exchanges, or otherwise disposes of the employer's business or stock of goods, any person who becomes a successor to the business becomes liable for the full amount of any outstanding citation and notice of assessment or penalty against the employer's business under this chapter if, at the time of the conveyance of the business, the successor has: (a) Actual knowledge of the fact and amount of the outstanding citation and notice of assessment or (b) a prompt, reasonable, and effective means of accessing and verifying the fact and amount of the outstanding citation and notice of assessment from the department. If the citation and notice of assessment or penalty is not paid in full by the employer within ten days of the date of the sale, exchange, or disposal, the successor is liable for the payment of the full amount of the citation and notice of assessment or penalty, and payment thereof by the successor must, to the extent thereof, be deemed a payment upon the purchase price. If the payment is greater in amount than the purchase price, the amount of the difference becomes a debt due the successor from the employer.
(5) This section does not affect other collection remedies that are otherwise provided by law.
[ 2021 c 102 s 18; 2014 c 210 s 1; 2010 c 42 s 4; 2006 c 89 s 5.]
Notes:
Short title—Effective date—2021 c 102: See RCW 60.90.900 and 60.90.902.
Captions not law—2006 c 89: See note following RCW 49.48.082.

catchline: Collection procedures.


title: RCW 49.48.087

text:
The director may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of RCW 49.48.082 through 49.48.086.
[ 2006 c 89 s 6.]
Notes:
Captions not law—2006 c 89: See note following RCW 49.48.082.

catchline: Rules.


title: RCW 49.48.090

text:
No assignment of, or order for, wages to be earned in the future to secure a loan of less than three hundred dollars, shall be valid against an employer of the person making said assignment or order unless said assignment or order is accepted in writing by the employer, and said assignment or order, and the acceptance of the same, have been filed and recorded with the county auditor of the county where the party making said assignment or order resides, if a resident of the state, or in which he or she is employed, if not a resident of the state.
[ 2010 c 8 s 12051; 1909 c 32 s 1; RRS s 7597.]

catchline: Assignment of wages—Requisites to validity.


title: RCW 49.48.100

text:
No assignment of, or order for, wages to be earned in the future shall be valid, when made by a married person, unless the written consent of the other spouse to the making of such assignment or order is attached thereto.
[ 1972 ex.s. c 108 s 7; 1909 c 32 s 2; RRS s 7598.]

catchline: Written consent of spouse required.


title: RCW 49.48.115

text:
For the purposes of RCW 49.48.120 the word "employer" shall include every person, firm, partnership, corporation, the state of Washington, and all municipal corporations.
[ 1939 c 139 s 1; RRS s 1464-1. Formerly RCW 49.48.120, part.]

catchline: Employer defined.


title: RCW 49.48.120

text:
(1) If at the time of the death of any person, his or her employer is indebted to him or her for work, labor, and services performed, and no executor or administrator of his or her estate has been appointed, the employer shall upon the request of the surviving spouse pay the indebtedness in an amount as may be due not exceeding the sum of ten thousand dollars, to the surviving spouse, or if the decedent leaves no surviving spouse, then to the decedent's child or children, or if no children, then to the decedent's father or mother.
(2) In the event the decedent's employer is the state of Washington or a municipal corporation, as defined in RCW 39.50.010, then there shall be no limit to the amount of the indebtedness that can be paid under subsection (1) of this section.
(3) If the decedent and the surviving spouse have entered into a community property agreement that meets the requirements of RCW 26.16.120, and the right to the indebtedness became the sole property of the surviving spouse upon the death of the decedent, the employer shall pay to the surviving spouse the total of the indebtedness, or that portion which is governed by the community property agreement, upon presentation of the agreement accompanied by an affidavit or declaration of the surviving spouse stating that the agreement was executed in good faith between the parties and had not been rescinded by the parties before the decedent's death.
(4) In all cases, the employer shall require proof of the claimant's relationship to the decedent by affidavit or declaration, and shall require the claimant to acknowledge receipt of the payment in writing.
(5) Any payments made by an employer pursuant to the provisions of RCW 49.48.115 and this section shall operate as a full and complete discharge of the employer's indebtedness to the extent of the payment, and no employer shall thereafter be liable to the decedent's estate, or the decedent's executor or administrator thereafter appointed.
(6) The employer may also pay the indebtedness upon presentation of an affidavit as provided in RCW 11.62.010.
[ 2019 c 89 s 1; 2018 c 57 s 1; 2003 c 122 s 1; 1981 c 333 s 2; 1974 ex.s. c 117 s 42; 1967 c 210 s 1; 1939 c 139 s 2; RRS s 1464-2. FORMER PART OF SECTION: 1939 c 139 s 1; RRS s 1464-1 now codified as RCW 49.48.115.]
Notes:
Application, construction—Severability—Effective date—1974 ex.s. c 117: See RCW 11.02.080 and notes following.

catchline: Payment on employee's death.


title: RCW 49.48.150

text:
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 49.48.160 through 49.48.190.
(1) "Commission" means compensation paid a sales representative by a principal in an amount based on a percentage of the dollar amount of certain orders for or sales of the principal's product. Commission includes bonus payments under an incentive compensation plan or other agreement between a principal and sales representative.
(2) "Principal" means a person, whether or not the person has a permanent or fixed place of business in this state, who:
(a) Manufactures, produces, imports, or distributes a product for sale to customers who purchase the product for resale;
(b) Uses a sales representative to solicit orders for the product; and
(c) Compensates the sales representative in whole or in part by commission.
(3) "Sales representative" means a person who solicits, on behalf of a principal, orders for the purchase at wholesale of the principal's product, but does not include a person who places orders for his or her own account for resale, or purchases for his or her own account for resale, or sells or takes orders for the direct sale of products to the ultimate consumer.
[ 2020 c 84 s 1; 2010 c 8 s 12052; 1992 c 177 s 1.]
Notes:
Severability—1992 c 177: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1992 c 177 s 7.]

catchline: Sales representatives—Definitions.


title: RCW 49.48.160

text:
(1) A contract between a principal and a sales representative under which the sales representative is to solicit wholesale orders within this state must be in writing and must set forth the method by which the sales representative's commission is to be computed and paid. The principal shall provide the sales representative with a copy of the contract. A provision in the contract establishing venue for an action arising under the contract in a state other than this state, or establishing conditions for payment of a commission contrary to the provisions of this section, is void.
(2) When no written contract has been entered into, any agreement between a sales representative and a principal is deemed to incorporate the provisions of RCW 49.48.150 through 49.48.190.
(3)(a) During the course of the contract, a sales representative shall be paid the earned commission and all other moneys earned or payable in accordance with the agreed terms of the contract, but no later than thirty days after receipt of payment by the principal for products or goods sold on behalf of the principal by the sales representative.
(b) Upon termination of a contract, whether or not the agreement is in writing, all earned commissions due to the sales representative shall be paid within thirty days after receipt of payment by the principal for products or goods sold on behalf of the principal by the sales representative, including earned commissions not due when the contract is terminated.
(c) Where a sales representative's efforts prior to termination of a contract results in a sale, regardless of when the sale occurs, the termination may not affect whether a commission is considered earned.
(4) Failure to pay an earned commission is a wage payment violation under RCW 49.52.050.
[ 2020 c 84 s 2; 1992 c 177 s 2.]
Notes:
Severability—1992 c 177: See note following RCW 49.48.150.


title: RCW 49.48.170

text:
A principal shall pay wages and commissions at the usual place of payment unless the sales representative requests that the wages and commissions be sent through registered mail. If, in accordance with a request by the sales representative, the sales representative's wages and commissions are sent through the mail, the wages and commissions are deemed to have been paid as of the date of their registered postmark.
[ 1992 c 177 s 3.]
Notes:
Severability—1992 c 177: See note following RCW 49.48.150.

catchline: Sales representatives—Payment.