S-0143.1

SENATE BILL 5171

BySenators Dhingra, Trudeau, Hunt, Lovelett, Cleveland, Keiser, C. Wilson, Hasegawa, Saldaña, Conway, Frame, Kuderer, Nguyen, Nobles, Pedersen, Stanford, Valdez, and Wellman

AN ACT Relating to consumer gender discrimination; amending RCW 19.86.140; adding a new section to chapter 19.86 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 19.86 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A person, firm, partnership, company, corporation, or business shall not charge a different price for any two goods that are substantially similar if those goods are priced differently based on the gender of the individuals for whom the goods are marketed and intended.

(2) This section does not prohibit price differences in goods or services based specifically upon any of the following:

(a) The amount of time it took to manufacture those goods;

(b) The difficulty in manufacturing those goods;

(c) The cost incurred in manufacturing those goods;

(d) The labor used in manufacturing those goods;

(e) The materials used in manufacturing those goods; or

(f) Any other gender-neutral reason for charging a different price for those goods.

(3)(a) Notwithstanding any other law, whenever the attorney general has cause to believe that a violation of this section has occurred, the attorney general may, upon notice to the defendant of not less than five days, petition a court for an order to enjoin and restrain the continuance of those violations.

(b) If a court finds that the defendant has violated this section, an injunction may be issued by the court enjoining or restraining any violation, without requiring proof that any person has, in fact, been injured or damaged thereby. The court may require the defendant to make direct restitution, if applicable. In connection with the proposed application for an injunction, the attorney general is authorized to conduct an investigation under this chapter and make a determination of the relevant facts in support of a petition for an injunction.

(4) For purposes of this section:

(a) "Business" means any business acting within the state of Washington that sells goods to any individual or entity including, but not limited to, retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.

(b) "Goods" means any consumer products used, bought, or rendered primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

(c)(i) "Substantially similar" means two goods that exhibit all of the following characteristics:

(A) No substantial differences in the materials used in production;

(B) The intended use is similar;

(C) The functional design and features are similar; and

(D) The brand is the same or both brands are owned by the same individual or entity.

(ii) A difference in coloring among any of the goods shall not be construed as a substantial difference for the purposes of this subsection.

Sec. 2. RCW 19.86.140 and 2021 c 228 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Every person who shall violate the terms of any injunction issued as in this chapter provided, shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty of not more than $125,000.

(2) Every individual who violates RCW 19.86.030 or 19.86.040 shall pay a civil penalty of not more than $180,000. Every person, other than an individual, who violates RCW 19.86.030 or 19.86.040 shall pay a civil penalty of not more than $900,000.

(3) Every person who violates RCW 19.86.020 shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty of not more than $7,500 for each violation: PROVIDED, That nothing in this paragraph shall apply to any radio or television broadcasting station which broadcasts, or to any publisher, printer or distributor of any newspaper, magazine, billboard or other advertising medium who publishes, prints or distributes, advertising in good faith without knowledge of its false, deceptive or misleading character.

(4) For unlawful acts or practices that target or impact specific individuals or communities based on demographic characteristics including, but not limited to, age, race, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, religion, veteran status, or status as a member of the armed forces, as that term is defined in 10 U.S.C. Sec. 101, an enhanced penalty of $5,000 shall apply.

(6) For the purpose of this section the superior court issuing any injunction shall retain jurisdiction, and the cause shall be continued, and in such cases the attorney general acting in the name of the state may petition for the recovery of civil penalties.

(7) With respect to violations of RCW 19.86.030 and 19.86.040, the attorney general, acting in the name of the state, may seek recovery of such penalties in a civil action.

(8) By December 1, 2022, and every five years thereafter, the office of the attorney general shall evaluate the efficacy of the maximum civil penalty amounts established in this section in deterring violations of the consumer protection act and the difference, if any, between the current penalty amounts and the penalty amounts adjusted for inflation, and provide the legislature with a report of its findings and any recommendations in compliance with RCW 43.01.036.

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