CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6046

Chapter 49, Laws of 2014

63rd Legislature
2014 Regular Session



WHISTLEBLOWERS--PROCEDURES AFTER INVESTIGATION



EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/12/14

Passed by the Senate February 13, 2014
  YEAS 47   NAYS 0

BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
Passed by the House March 7, 2014
  YEAS 97   NAYS 0

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


 
CERTIFICATE

I, Hunter G. Goodman, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6046 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth.

HUNTER G. GOODMAN
________________________________________    
Secretary
Approved March 19, 2014, 2:51 p.m.








JAY INSLEE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
March 19, 2014







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6046
_____________________________________________

Passed Legislature - 2014 Regular Session
State of Washington63rd Legislature2014 Regular Session

By Senate Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Rolfes, Conway, Kohl-Welles, Braun, Honeyford, and Kline)

READ FIRST TIME 01/23/14.   



     AN ACT Relating to whistleblowers; and adding a new section to chapter 49.60 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 49.60 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) When the commission has completed the investigation of a complaint alleging workplace reprisal or retaliatory action against a whistleblower as defined in chapter 70.87 RCW, the commission must notify the complainant of the completion of the investigation. The commission must issue written findings of fact and a finding that there is or there is not reasonable cause for believing an unfair practice has been or is being committed as required by RCW 49.60.240 within ninety days of notification of the completed investigation.
     (2) If the individual filing a complaint alleging workplace reprisal or retaliatory action against a whistleblower under chapter 70.87 RCW is represented by a labor union, the commission must notify the union of the complaint and the results of the investigation.
     (3) If, after a finding is made that there is reasonable cause for believing that an unfair practice has been or is being committed against a whistleblower under chapter 70.87 RCW, no agreement is reached for the elimination of the unfair practice within six months, a finding to that effect must be made and reduced to writing, with a copy provided to the complainant, the complainant's labor union, and the respondent. The commission, in the exercise of discretion, may grant additional time to seek agreement for the elimination of the unfair practice based on extenuating facts and circumstances.


         Passed by the Senate February 13, 2014.
         Passed by the House March 7, 2014.
         Approved by the Governor March 19, 2014.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 19, 2014.