Immigrant Worker Protections

State Bills: Washington

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

The Washington State House passed HB 2105, creating new worker protections for immigrant employees. The bill addresses employment practices, workplace rights, and protections against discrimination or retaliation based on immigration status. Companion bill SB 5852 exists in the Senate.

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What changed

HB 2105 establishes comprehensive protections for immigrant workers in Washington state. The bill (Chapter 240, Laws of 2026) creates employer obligations regarding workplace rights, prohibits retaliation against employees for exercising protected rights, and may include provisions related to employment authorization verification and documentation requirements.

Employers conducting business in Washington should review their hiring practices, workplace policies, and training programs to ensure compliance with the new requirements. HR departments and legal counsel should assess existing employment verification procedures and anti-discrimination policies. Non-compliance may result in administrative penalties, civil liability, or enforcement actions by the Washington State Attorney General or Labor & Industries.

What to do next

Review employment verification and hiring practices for compliance with new requirements
Update workplace policies and anti-retaliation procedures
Train HR staff and managers on immigrant worker rights and compliant practices

Source document (simplified)

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HB 2105 - 2025-26

Concerning immigrant worker protections. Sponsors: Ortiz-Self, Mena, Farivar, Cortes, Berry, Ramel, Fosse, Parshley, Ryu, Stearns, Doglio, Simmons, Peterson, Reed, Obras, Santos, Zahn, Fitzgibbon, Street, Wylie, Scott, Thomas, Duerr, Stonier, Gregerson, Ormsby, Callan, Goodman, Reeves, Thai, Macri, Bergquist, Salahuddin, Hill, Davis, Pollet By request:
Attorney General Companion bill: SB 5852

Bill status-at-a-glance

As of Tuesday, March 31, 2026 10:42 PM

Current version:

2nd substitute - 2SHB 2105 (View 2nd substitute)

Current status:

C 240 L 26

Where is it in the process?

Bill status-at-a-glance

As of Tuesday, March 31, 2026 10:42 PM

Current version:

2nd substitute - 2SHB 2105 (View 2nd substitute)

Current status:

C 240 L 26

Where is it in the process?

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Bill history

View all roll calls on this bill

2026 Regular Session

In the House

Dec 8 Prefiled for introduction. Jan 12 First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards. (View original bill) Jan 16 Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) Jan 23 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) LAWS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (View 1st substitute) (Majority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Minority; without recommendation. (Minority report) Jan 28 Referred to Appropriations. Feb 5 Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) Feb 7 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM. (Committee materials) APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (View 2nd substitute) (Majority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Minority; without recommendation. (Minority report) Feb 9 Referred to Rules 2 Review. Feb 11 Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. Feb 13 2nd substitute bill substituted (APP 26). (View 2nd substitute) Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 4. (View this roll call)

In the Senate

Feb 17 First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce. Feb 20 Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM. (Committee materials) LC - Majority; do pass. (Majority report) And refer to Ways & Means. Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Feb 23 Referred to Ways & Means. Feb 26 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM. (Committee materials) Mar 2 Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (Majority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. Mar 3 Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. Mar 5 Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 27; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 1. (View this roll call)

In the House

Mar 11 House concurred in Senate amendments. Passed final passage; yeas, 58; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 2. (View this roll call) Mar 12 Speaker signed.