Washington HB2355: Domestic workers

What the bill says

An act Relating to establishing labor protections for domestic workers; amending RCW 49.60.230; reenacting and amending RCW 49.46.010; adding a new section to chapter 49.60 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 49 RCW; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date. NEW SECTION.

From the enrolled text:

AN ACT Relating to establishing labor protections for domestic workers; amending RCW 49.60.230; reenacting and amending RCW 49.46.010; adding a new section to chapter 49.60 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 49 RCW; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Casual labor" means work that is irregular, uncertain, and incidental in nature and duration, and is different in nature from the type of paid work in which the worker is customarily engaged in. (2) "Department" means the department of labor and industries. (3) "Director" means the director of the department. (4)(a) "Domestic worker" includes any person (ii) Receives payment from a hiring entity for the work or services described in (a)(iii) of this subsection for four or more hours in any month; and (iii) Works or provides services in one or more private residences as a nanny, child care provider, home care worker, personal care provider, housekeeper or cleaner, cook, gardener, or household manager. (b) "Domestic worker" does not (ii) A person performing babysitting on an irregular and uncertain basis that is incidental in nature and duration; (iii) A person performing pet sitting, dog walking, or house sitting who is not also performing the work described in (a)(iii) of …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Brianna Thomas (D) · primary sponsor
• Monica Stonier (D)
• Liz Berry (D)
• Sharlett Mena (D)
• Alex Ramel (D)
• Julia Reed (D)
• Edwin Obras (D)
• Lisa Parshley (D)
• Chipalo Street (D)
• Jamila Taylor (D)
• Shelley Kloba (D)
• Shaun Scott (D)

Latest actions

1. March 9, 2026: Effective date 7/1/2027.
2. March 9, 2026: Chapter 15, 2026 Laws.
3. March 9, 2026: Governor signed.
4. March 3, 2026: Delivered to Governor.
5. February 28, 2026: President signed.
6. February 28, 2026: Speaker signed.
7. February 26, 2026: Third reading, passed; yeas, 28; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 1.
8. February 26, 2026: Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
9. February 24, 2026: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
10. February 23, 2026: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

Votes

• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 26, 2026): 28 yea, 20 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce: Do pass (February 20, 2026): 5 yea, 3 nay, passed
• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 12, 2026): 57 yea, 39 nay, passed
• House Committee on Appropriations: The substitute bill by Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 7, 2026): 20 yea, 5 nay, passed
• House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (January 30, 2026): 6 yea, 3 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2355?

HB2355 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Domestic workers.

What does HB2355 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to establishing labor protections for domestic workers; amending RCW 49.60.230; reenacting and amending RCW 49.46.010; adding a new section to chapter 49.60 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 49 RCW; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date. NEW SECTION.

What is the status of HB2355?

Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 7/1/2027. (March 9, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2355?

Brianna Thomas (D), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2355?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2355&Year=2025