(1) If a driver files a complaint with the department alleging a transportation network company violated any compensation-related requirements of RCW
49.46.300, or any associated rules, the department will investigate the complaint under the provisions of RCW
49.46.320. "Compensation-related requirements" include compensation, improper deductions, or any other amounts owed to the driver.
(2) During an investigation, if the department discovers information suggesting additional violations of any compensation-related requirements of RCW
49.46.300, or any associated rules, the department may investigate and take appropriate enforcement action without any additional complaint. The department may also initiate an investigation on behalf of one or more drivers for a violation of any compensation-related requirements of RCW
49.46.300, or any associated rules, when the director otherwise has reason to believe that a violation has occurred or will occur.
(3) The department may conduct a consolidated investigation for any alleged compensation-related violations identified under RCW
49.46.300, or associated rules, when there are common questions of law or fact involving drivers who provide passenger platform services for the same transportation network company. If the department consolidates such matters into a single investigation, it will provide notice to the transportation network company.
(4) The department may, for the purposes of enforcing RCW
49.46.300 or any associated rules, issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses or parties and the production of documents, administer oaths and examine witnesses under oath, take depositions, and seek affidavits or other verifications. The department may request a transportation network company perform a self-audit of any records. The results or conclusions of the self-audit must be provided to the department within a reasonable time. Reasonable timelines will be specified in the self-audit request. The records examined by the transportation network company in order to perform the self-audit must be made available to the department upon request.
(5) Upon the department's request, a transportation network company must notify drivers via an accessible system that the department is conducting an investigation. The department may require the transportation network company to include a general description of each investigation as part of the notification, including the allegations and whether the notified driver may be affected. The department may consult with the transportation network company to provide the information for the description.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
49.46.300(16) and chapter
49.46 RCW. WSR 22-24-034, § 296-128-99240, filed 11/30/22, effective 1/1/23.]