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BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESHB 1644

HB 1644: Working minors

Concerning the safety and health of working minors.

Summary

Establishes minimum penalties for violations of restrictions governing the employment of minors in nonagricultural and agricultural industries.
Requires the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to revoke an employer's minor work permit if the employer committed a serious, willful, or ongoing safety or health violation or child labor violation that caused death or serious physical harm to a minor or that required an order of immediate restraint.
Precludes a contractor subject to a minor work permit revocation from bidding on public works projects in certain circumstances.
Requires L&I to conduct a safety and health consultation at a worksite before granting a student-learner variance allowing a minor to perform work typically prohibited based on the minor's age.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESHB 1644), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 173, Laws of 2025

IntroducedJan 28, 2025
Out of committeeFeb 18, 2025
Passed HouseMar 10, 2025
Passed SenateApr 9, 2025
GovernorApr 28, 2025
LawApr 28, 2025

Prime sponsor: Mary Fosse (D-38)
Introduced: January 28, 2025 in the House
Last action: April 28, 2025
Session law: Chapter 173, Laws of 2025
Companion bill: SB 5756
Budget: Has a fiscal note
Versions: HB 1644, SHB 1644, ESHB 1644

AN ACT Relating to the safety and health of working minors;

Sponsors

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 10, 2025

Version voted on: ESHB 1644

60 Yea 35 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	57	1	0	1
Republican	3	34	0	2

How each member voted

Yea (60)

Nay (35)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed April 9, 2025

Version voted on: ESHB 1644

37 Yea 12 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	29	1	0	0
Republican	8	11	0	0

How each member voted

Yea (37)

Nay (12)

Permalink to this vote

History

Apr 28, 2025Effective date 7/1/2026. (ESHB 1644)
Apr 28, 2025Chapter 173, 2025 Laws. (ESHB 1644)
Apr 28, 2025Governor signed. (ESHB 1644)
Apr 23, 2025Delivered to Governor. (ESHB 1644)
Apr 14, 2025President signed. (ESHB 1644)
Apr 11, 2025Speaker signed. (ESHB 1644)
Apr 9, 2025Third reading, passed; yeas, 37; nays, 12; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESHB 1644)
Apr 9, 2025Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 1644)
Apr 2, 2025Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 29, 2025Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 28, 2025Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 28, 2025Minority; do not pass. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 28, 2025LC - Majority; do pass. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 12, 2025First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 10, 2025Third reading, passed; yeas, 60; nays, 35; absent, 0; excused, 3. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 10, 2025Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 10, 2025Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 10, 20251st substitute bill substituted. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 10, 20251st substitute bill substituted.
Mar 4, 2025Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESHB 1644)
Mar 4, 2025Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Feb 18, 2025Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESHB 1644)
Feb 18, 2025Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Feb 14, 2025LAWS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESHB 1644)
Feb 14, 2025Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 1644)
Feb 14, 2025LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.
Feb 14, 2025Minority; without recommendation.
Feb 14, 2025LAWS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Jan 28, 2025First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.

HB 1644 in other sessions

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

HB 1644 (2023–24) Margin tax · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1644 (2021–22) Pupil transp./electric · Enacted · Chapter 200, Laws of 2022
HB 1644 (2019–20) Youth development work group · Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate
HB 1644 (2017–18) Teacher shortage · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1644 (2015–16) Vet. survivor tuition waiver · Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate
HB 1644 (2013–14) Transportation planning · Enacted · Chapter 199, Laws of 2013
HB 1644 (2011–12) Small loan restrictions · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1644 (2009–10) Deeds of trust reconveyances · Did not pass · died in committee

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