PDFWAC 192-800-155

When are proceedings open to the public, and what information from a proceeding before the appeal tribunal or commissioner is publicly disclosable?

(1) To maintain confidentiality of records under chapter 50A.25 RCW:
(a) All proceedings will be closed to the public unless otherwise agreed upon by all parties appearing for hearing;
(b) All proceeding records will be sealed for hearings closed to the public and are not publicly disclosable; and
(c) All personal identifying information concerning an individual or employer will be redacted from the record if the hearing is open to the public.
(2) If a decision is appealed to the commissioner's review office, that decision may be published online or in another manner approved by the department. All personal identifying information concerning an individual or employer will be redacted if the decision is made public.
(3) If an interested party appeals a commissioner's decision to superior court, the department will file the record with the court unsealed as required by RCW 34.05.566. Any interested party may move to seal those records under applicable court rules.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 50A.05.060. WSR 24-11-070, § 192-800-155, filed 5/14/24, effective 6/14/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 50A.05.060 and 50A.25.030. WSR 21-11-009, § 192-800-155, filed 5/7/21, effective 6/7/21.]