Washington
Discussion
Washington: New Rules for Employing Minors in Agricultural and Non-agricultural Worksites
Effective July 1, 2026, new regulations address the employment of minors in agricultural and non-agricultural labor. The new regulations impact a number of areas. Minors aged 16 and 17 who are enrolled in approved college or career and technical education programs can work the same number of hours during the school year as they can during school breaks. Employers must engage in state-facilitated safety consultations before minors can begin some work. Minors legally required to attend school may not be employed during school hours except by special permission from school officials. Minors are prohibited from working certain occupations due to safety reasons. Employers hiring minors should review the new regulations carefully since the penalties for violations or for accidents resulting in the serious injury or death of a minor worker can be up to $71,000.
Olympia, WA: New Protections for Diverse Family and Relationship Structures
As of January 13, 2026, Olympia’s Ordinance 26-0130 adds “diverse family and relationship structures” to the city’s workplace discrimination and unfair housing practices laws. The ordinance extends explicit protections to employees in interpersonal relationships (other than marital relationships) between two or more adults involving romantic, physical, or emotional intimacy, including multi-partner or multi-parent families, step-families, multi-generational households, consensual non-monogamous relationships, and consensual sexual and/or intimate relationships, including asexual and aromantic relationships. Olympia employers should review their employment policies, benefits administration, hiring practices, and training materials for compliance with the expanded protections.
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