BILL REQ. #:  H-4098.1 

Read first time 01/20/2004.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to information provided by former or current employers to prospective employers; adding a new section to chapter 4.24 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that employers are becoming increasingly discouraged from disclosing job reference information. The legislature further finds that full disclosure of such information will increase productivity, enhance the safety of the workplace, and provide greater opportunities to disadvantaged groups who may not have the educational background or resumes of other workers.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 4.24 RCW to read as follows:
     An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee's job performance, conduct, or other work-related information to a prospective employer, or employment agency as defined by RCW 49.60.040, at the specific request of that individual employer or employment agency, is presumed to be acting in good faith and is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences. For purposes of this section, the presumption of good faith may only be rebutted upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the employer was knowingly false or deliberately misleading.
     The information disclosed by the employer shall be forwarded within five business days from the date of disclosure to the employee.