WashingtonWashington law keeps pregnancy case identities private starting January 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, Washington law keeps identifying agency records about workers and applicants involved in pregnancy accommodation cases private, with exceptions for certain disclosures.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, identifying agency records about workers and job applicants involved in pregnancy accommodation cases are confidential. The law allows disclosures needed to handle cases, perform official duties, or inform the complainant.
Starting January 1, 2027, employers cannot require a health care professional’s written confirmation for pregnancy-related limits on lifting over 17 pounds. Other accommodations listed in state law are also exempt.
Argument forConfidential records could help workers seek pregnancy accommodation assistance without exposing their identities or medical information to the public.
Argument againstConfidential records could make individual pregnancy accommodation cases harder for the public to examine, though the agency may release anonymous summaries.
More detail
Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries must keep records identifying covered workers or job applicants confidential. This covers agency records about employees or job applicants who file complaints, request help, or participate in pregnancy accommodation investigations. It includes contact details, identifying photos, and pregnancy or childbirth health information. The agency may disclose information to the complainant’s employer when needed to decide the investigation fairly and to public employees carrying out official duties. Disclosure is also allowed in court or administrative proceedings when legally required or needed to decide the issues fairly, and to the person who complained. The agency may release statistics or summaries that do not identify anyone. These confidentiality rules take effect January 1, 2027.
Employers may request written confirmation from an employee’s treating health care professional about the need for a pregnancy accommodation, except for exempt accommodations. This rule applies to employees seeking changes at work because of pregnancy. Employers cannot require this confirmation for limits on lifting over 17 pounds. Other accommodations listed in a separate section of state law are also exempt; their definitions are not included here. The written-confirmation rule takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 16Effective date 1/1/2027.Latest
- Mar 16Chapter 76, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 16Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 10Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 5Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 4President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 68; nays, 25; absent, 0; excused, 5.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#32). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 27Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 24LAWS - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 20Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 6First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.Minor
- Feb 4Third reading, passed; yeas, 41; nays, 8; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#5). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 4Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 41st substitute bill substituted (LC 26).Major
- Jan 28Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Jan 26Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Jan 23Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Jan 23LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 23Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 16Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.Minor
- Jan 7Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
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