BILL · 2019–20 SESSION

SB 5226: Off-duty employee conduct

Concerning the off-duty conduct of an employee or a prospective employee.

Summary

Prohibits an employer from refusing to hire someone, treating an employee unfairly, or firing an employee who participates in a lawful activity, or exercises their constitutional rights, on their own time and away from the workplace.
Allows an employer to restrict an employee's participation if the activity relates to a valid work requirement, or creates an actual or apparent conflict of interest with the employee's job responsibilities.
Exempts Washington law enforcement agencies, and an employing nonprofit organization, when the nonprofit's main purpose conflicts with the activity.

From the Senate Bill Report (Orig.) (SB 5226), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee

AN ACT Relating to the off-duty conduct of an employee or a prospective employee;

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

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

SB 5226 (2025–26) Physician res./international · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5226 (2023–24) Active warrants priority/DOC · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5226 (2021–22) License suspensions/traffic · Enacted · Chapter 240, Laws of 2021
SB 5226 (2017–18) School district liability · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5226 (2015–16) Public sector union finances · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5226 (2013–14) Public hospital districts · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5226 (2011–12) H.S. science assessments · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5226 (2009–10) Long-term care residents · Did not pass · died in committee