The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) updated its rulemaking website
Rules filed December 16, 2025
For information on all L&I meetings and public hearings related to rulemaking, please visit our public participation calendar.
Division: Division of Labor Standards (formerly Fraud Prevention and Labor Standards) – Employment Standards
Topic: Adoption (CR-103) – Labor Standards for Isolated Employees (2SHB 1524 Implementation)
Brief Description: This rulemaking created Chapter 296-137 WAC to implement Second Substitute House Bill 1524 (2SHB 1524) related to isolated employee protections. Currently, Chapter 49.60 RCW requires employers in the janitorial, hospitality, retail, and security industries take certain precautions to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault of isolated employees. Isolated employees are those working as a janitor, security guard, hotel or motel housekeeper or room service attendant and spends a majority of their working hours alone without another coworker present. 2SHB 1524 (Chapter 47, Laws of 2025) amends Chapter 49.60 RCW to add additional protections for isolated employees and provides for L&I enforcement of the requirements. 2SHB 1524 becomes effective January 1, 2026.
Effective date: January 16, 2026
Additional information about this rulemaking:
CR-103 Adoption
Adoption Language
Concise Explanatory Statement (CES)
Final Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)
Division: Customer Service, Compliance, and Public Safety (formerly Field Services and Public Safety) – Electrical Program
Topic: Preproposal (CR-101) – Electrical Rule Code Adoption
Brief Description: The purpose of this rulemaking is to consider amendments to the Chapter 296-46B WAC, Electrical safety standards, administration, and installation. L&I’s Electrical Program is reviewing the electrical rules and new safety codes from the 2026 edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC). The purpose of this review is to consider amendments to the adopted 2026 NEC safety codes, to update and clarify existing rules, and make housekeeping and other rule changes. The 2026 NEC (NFPA 70-2026) will replace the current 2023 NEC (NFPA 70-2023) standards on December 31, 2026.
The electrical rules are reviewed every three years, or each code cycle, to ensure the rules are consistent with national electrical safety standards and industry practice. The review process provides Washington’s electrical stakeholders the opportunity to review the existing rules, submit proposals for changes to the rules, and provide recommendations to L&I regarding adoption of the rules, prior to NEC implementation.
Additional information about this rulemaking:
CR-101 Preproposal
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