Washington State has enacted significant changes to its employment laws, effective July 27, 2025. The new “mini-WARN” Act requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide 60 days’ notice before mass layoffs or business closures, aligning with federal standards but with stricter provisions. Additionally, amendments to the Fair Chance Act, effective July 1, 2026, restrict when and how employers can consider criminal history in hiring decisions, aiming to reduce employment barriers for individuals with past convictions.
