1355 NOT ADOPT 4/15/91.3721
HB 1355 - S AMD
By Senator Murray
FAILED SCOPE - NOT ADOPTED 4/15/91
On page 3, after line 30, insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 49.17 RCW to read as follows:
(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, if the director, or the director's designee, finds that an employer has violated any of the requirements of RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, or a rule or order adopted or variance granted under RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, a citation stating the violations shall be issued to the employer. The citation shall be in writing, describing the nature of the violation including reference to the standards, rules, or orders alleged to have been violated. An initial citation for failure to comply with RCW 49.12.123 or rules requiring a minor work permit and maintenance of records shall state a specific time for abatement of the violation to allow the employer to correct the violation without penalty. The director or the director's designee may establish a specific time for abatement of other nonserious violations in lieu of a penalty for first time violations. The citation and a proposed penalty assessment shall be given to the highest management official available at the workplace or be mailed to the employer at the workplace. In addition, the department will mail a copy of the citation and proposed penalty assessment to the central personnel office of the employer. Citations issued under this section shall be posted at or near the place where the violation occurred.
(b) Except where an employer corrects a violation as provided in (a) of this subsection, he or she shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars depending on the size of the business and the gravity of the violation. The employer shall pay the amount assessed within thirty days of receipt of the assessment or notify the director of his or her intent to appeal the citation or the assessment penalty as provided in section 3 of this act.
(2) If the director, or the director's designee, finds that an employer has committed a serious or repeated violation of the requirements of RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, or any rule or order adopted or variance granted under RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, the employer is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each day the violation continues. For the purposes of this subsection, a serious violation shall be deemed to exist if death or serious physical or emotional harm has resulted or could result from a condition that exists, or from one or more practices, means, methods, operations, or processes that have been adopted or are in use by the employer, unless the employer did not, and could not with the exercise of reasonable diligence, know of the presence of the violation.
(3) In addition to any other authority provided in this section, if, upon inspection or investigation, the director, or the director's designee, believes that an employer has violated RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, or a rule or order adopted or variance granted under RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, and that the violation creates a danger from which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result to a minor employee, the director, or the director's designee, may issue an order immediately restraining the condition, practice, method, process, or means creating the danger in the workplace. An order issued under this subsection may require the employer to take steps necessary to avoid, correct, or remove the danger and to prohibit the employment or presence of a minor in locations or under conditions where the danger exists.
(4) An employer who violates any of the posting requirements of RCW 49.12.121 or rules adopted implementing RCW 49.12.121 shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for each violation.
(5) A person who gives advance notice, without the authority of the director, of an inspection to be conducted under this chapter shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars.
(6) Penalties assessed under this section shall be paid to the director and deposited into the general fund."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 49.17 RCW to read as follows:
A person, firm, or corporation aggrieved by an action taken or decision made by the department under section 2 of this act may appeal the action or decision to the director by filing notice of the appeal with the director within thirty days of the department's action or decision. A notice of appeal filed under this section shall stay the effectiveness of a citation or notice of the assessment of a penalty pending review of the appeal by the director, but such appeal shall not stay the effectiveness of an order of immediate restraint issued under section 2 of this act. Upon receipt of an appeal, a hearing shall be held in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. The director shall issue all final orders after the hearing. The final orders are subject to appeal in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. Orders not appealed within the time period specified in chapter 34.05 RCW are final and binding."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. An employer who knowingly or recklessly violates the requirements of RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, or a rule or order adopted under RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. An employer whose practices in violation of the requirements of RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, or a rule or order adopted under RCW 49.12.121 or 49.12.123, result in the death or permanent disability of a minor employee is guilty of a class C felony."
"Sec. 5. RCW 49.12.121 and 1989 c 1 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
((The
committee, or the director,)) (1) The department may at any time
inquire into wages, hours, and conditions of labor of minors employed in any
trade, business or occupation in the state of Washington and may adopt special
rules for the protection of the safety, health and welfare of minor employees.
((The minimum wage for minors shall be as prescribed in RCW 49.46.020.))
(2)
The ((committee)) department shall issue work permits to
employers for the employment of minors((, after being assured)) if
the proposed employment ((of a minor)) meets the standards ((set
forth concerning)) for the health, safety and welfare of minors ((as
set forth in the rules and regulations promulgated by the committee)) required
by this chapter or adopted by department rule. To implement state policy to
assure the attendance of children in the public schools, an employer employing
a minor shall obtain a work permit issued by the department. The permit shall
be kept on file during the employment of minors. No minor person shall be
employed in any occupation, trade or industry subject to this 1973 amendatory
act, unless a work permit has been properly issued, with the consent of the
parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of the minor and with the
approval of the school ((which such)) that the minor may then be
attending."
"Sec. 6. RCW 49.12.170 and 1973 2nd ex.s. c 16 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
Except as otherwise provided in section 2 or 4 of this act, any employer employing any person for whom a minimum wage or standards, conditions, and hours of labor have been specified, at less than said minimum wage, or under standards, or conditions of labor or at hours of labor prohibited by the rules and regulations of the committee; or violating any other of the provisions of this 1973 amendatory act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one thousand dollars."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The penalties established in sections 2 and 4 of this act for violations of RCW 49.12.121 and 49.12.123 are exclusive remedies."
HB 1355 - S AMD
By Senator Murray
FAILED SCOPE - NOT ADOPTED 4/15/91
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "49.17.180" insert ", 49.12.121, and 49.12.170; adding new sections to chapter 49.17 RCW; creating new sections"