WA People
BILL · 2017–18 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5996

SB 5996: Workplace sex harass./NDAs

Encouraging the disclosure and discussion of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace.

Summary

  • Prohibits an employer from requiring an employee, as a condition of employment, to sign a nondisclosure agreement that prevents the employee from disclosing sexual harassment or sexual assault occurring in the workplace, at work-related events coordinated by or through the employer, or between employees or between an employer and employee, off the employment premises.
  • Provides that such agreement or waiver is against public policy and therefore void and unenforceable.
  • Makes it an unfair practice under the Washington Law Against Discrimination for an employer to discharge or retaliate against an employee for disclosing or discussing sexual harassment or sexual assault occurring in the workplace.
  • Allows settlement agreements to have confidentiality provisions.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5996), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 117, Laws of 2018
  1. IntroducedJan 8, 2018
  2. Out of committeeFeb 1, 2018
  3. Passed SenateFeb 8, 2018
  4. Passed HouseFeb 27, 2018
  5. GovernorMar 21, 2018
  6. LawMar 21, 2018
Prime sponsor
Karen Keiser (D-33)
Introduced
January 8, 2018 in the Senate
Last action
March 21, 2018
Session law
Chapter 117, Laws of 2018
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5996, SSB 5996

AN ACT Relating to encouraging the disclosure and discussion of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Karen Keiser (D-33)

9 co-sponsors (9 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Jeannie Darneille D-27Senator D-46Kevin Van De Wege D-24Jamie Pedersen D-43Senator D-22Maralyn Chase D-32Rebecca Saldaña D-37Patty Kuderer D-48Bob Hasegawa D-11

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 8, 2018
Version voted on: SSB 5996
48 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat26000
Republican22001
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage

Passed February 27, 2018
Version voted on: SSB 5996
98 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat50000
Republican48000
How each member voted

Yea (98)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/7/2018. (SSB 5996)
  2. Chapter 117, 2018 Laws. (SSB 5996)
  3. Governor signed. (SSB 5996)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 5996)
  5. Speaker signed. (SSB 5996)
  6. President signed. (SSB 5996)
  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 98; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5996)
  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5996)
  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SSB 5996)
  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 5996)
  11. LAWS - Majority; do pass. (SSB 5996)
  12. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). (SSB 5996)
  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SSB 5996)
  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5996)
  15. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5996)
  16. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  17. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5996)
  18. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  19. Made eligible to be placed on second reading. (SSB 5996)
  20. Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
  21. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5996)
  22. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  23. LBRC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5996)
  24. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5996)
  25. Minority; without recommendation.
  26. LBRC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  27. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.
  28. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5996 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

  • SB 5996 (2025–26) Commercial shellfish fees · Did not pass · died in committee
  • SB 5996 (2023–24) H-2A worker program data · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
  • SB 5996 (2019–20) Fires/prevent, suppress · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
  • SB 5996 (2015–16) DOT transportation projects · Enacted with partial veto · Chapter 17, Laws of 2015, 3rd Special Session
  • SB 5996 (2013–14) Cosmetology, barbering, etc. · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  • SB 5996 (2011–12) Contiguous land/current use · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  • SB 5996 (2009–10) Motor vehicles/B & O tx rate · Did not pass · died in committee
  • SB 5996 (2007–08) Life sciences research · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor

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