Under House Bill 1747, amendments occurred to the Washington Fair Chance Act and will go into effect on July 1, 2026. The bill increases the penalties and requirements for covered employers considering criminal records when vetting employees or job applicants.
Employers may not:
Inquire about criminal records prior to extending a criminal job offer
Take an adverse employment action based on arrest records, juvenile conviction records, and adult conviction records (some exceptions apply).
This article is informational and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with an employment lawyer or accountant for additional clarification on how these changes impact your company.
