SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6440

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 5, 1992

Brief Description:  Requiring more disclosure from businesses that provide job lists.

SPONSORS: Senator Owen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff:  Catherine Mele (786‑7457)

Hearing Dates: February 6, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, employment agencies are defined as  businesses that collect fees for providing services that help employment applicants secure jobs.  In Washington, each employment agency must be licensed and is regulated by the Department of Licensing.  Licensing requirements prohibit false and fraudulent advertising and prepayment of fees for services.

Job listing businesses that do not provide employment services, but offer only a generic listing of available employment opportunities are not considered employment agencies under current law.  Job listing services are not required to be licensed and there are no requirements regarding advertising or prepayment of fees in advance of receiving employment lists.

SUMMARY:

A business that provides job lists only and no other employment service is not considered an employment agency.  Job listing services that provide job lists are to disclose in advertisements that the business is not an employment agency; that the business charges a fee in advance for the job list; and that there are no guarantees that the jobs on the list are currently available.

A business that is a job listing service is to provide the consumer with lists of jobs only and no other employment related service.  The list of jobs may include general job qualifications and job prerequisites.  A job listing service that fails to make the disclosures violates the Consumer Protection Act.    

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 3, 1992