2026 Washington Midyear Roundup
The following changes to Washington employment law take effect on July 1, 2026.
Criminal History Protections Expanded
Washington’s Fair Chance Act, which limits when and how employers can consider criminal records, has been expanded to strengthen protections for applicants with criminal histories.
Employers with 15 or more employees need to comply with the new requirements starting July 1, 2026. Smaller employers should begin preparing now, as the requirements will apply to them on January 1, 2027.
Given the complexity of the rules, employers may want to reconsider how much weight they give to criminal history when evaluating applicants. You can review all of the updated requirements in the Washington Expands Criminal History Protections law alert.
Local Minimum Wage Increases
Everett
For employers with 15–499 employees or annual revenue of over $2M, the minimum hourly wage will increase to $19.77. Rates remain unchanged for employers of other sizes.
Renton
For employers with 15–500 employees or $2M+ annual revenue within Renton, the minimum hourly wage will increase to $21.57. Rates remain unchanged for employers of other sizes.