Washington 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: Died 1 D cosponsors

HB 2171 — Concerning vested vacation or paid time off upon an employee's termination.

Last action — Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. Died in session

This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill HB 2171 clarifies that if an employer has a policy for paid vacation or paid time off, employees must receive their unused time as wages upon termination for any reason, including death, resignation, or retirement. It explicitly states that employers cannot make policies that require forfeiting these benefits. Additionally, the language has shifted from "vacation leave or other paid time off" to simply "vacation time or paid time off," likely to streamline the terms used. These changes are significant because they help ensure that employees receive the benefits they have accrued, providing financial security at the end of their employment.

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H-4306.1SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2171State of Washington66th Legislature2020 Regular SessionByHouse Labor & Workplace Standards (originally sponsored by Representatives Santos and Sells)READ FIRST TIME 02/03/20.AN ACT Relating to vested vacation or paid time off upon an employee's termination;
H-2944.1HOUSE BILL 2171State of Washington66th Legislature2019 Regular SessionByRepresentatives Santos and SellsAN ACT Relating to vested vacation or paid time off upon an employee's termination;
A new section is added to chapter 49.48 RCW to read as follows:(1) If an employer has an established policy, practice, or agreement to provide vacation leave or other paid time off, and an employee is terminated from employment by death, reduction in force, resignation, dismissal, or retirement, any of the employee's unused vested vacation leave or other paid time off must be paid to the employee as wages at the employee's final rate in accordance with the employment policy, practice, or agreement with respect to eligibility and vesting requirements.(2)(a) For the purposes of this section, vested vacation leave or other paid time off is considered wages under RCW 49.48.010.(b) An employer may not have a policy, practice, or agreement that requires the employee to forfeit vested vacation leave or other paid time off upon termination, regardless of the reason for termination.(3) Nothing in this section requires an employer to provide vacation leave or other paid time off to an employee.
A new section is added to chapter 49.48 RCW to read as follows:(1) If an employer has an established policy, practice, or agreement to provide paid vacation or paid time off, and an employee is terminated from employment by death, reduction in force, resignation, dismissal, or retirement, any of the employee's unused vested vacation time or paid time off must be paid to the employee as wages at the employee's final rate in accordance with the employment policy, practice, or agreement with respect to eligibility and vesting requirements.(2)(a) For the purposes of this section, vested vacation time or paid time off is considered wages under RCW 49.48.010.(b) An employer may not have a policy, practice, or agreement that requires the employee to forfeit vested vacation time or paid time off upon termination, regardless of the reason for termination.(3) Nothing in this section requires an employer to provide paid vacation time or paid time off to an employee.
Nothing in this section prohibits an employer from placing limits on the amount of vacation leave or other paid time off an employee may accrue.(4) This section does not apply to employees subject to RCW 43.01.041.(5)(a) Employees asserting violations of this section may bring a wage complaint under this chapter.(b) An employee who was terminated from employment before the effective date of this section, as provided under section 3 of this act, may either bring a wage complaint under this chapter or file a private cause of action in court to enforce this section.(6) For purposes of this section, "vacation leave or other paid time off" does not include leave provided to meet the requirements of RCW 49.46.200 and 49.46.210.(7) Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the provisions contained in RCW 49.46.200 through 49.46.820 regarding paid sick leave.(8) Nothing in this section may be construed to alter the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement until the agreement has expired.Sec.
Nothing in this section prohibits an employer from placing limits on the amount of paid vacation time or paid time off an employee may accrue.(4) This section does not apply to:(a) Employees subject to RCW 43.01.041;
or(b) Employees subject to a collective bargaining agreement.(5)(a) Employees asserting violations of this section may bring a wage complaint under this chapter.(b) An employee who was terminated from employment before the effective date of this section, as provided under section 3 of this act, may either bring a wage complaint under this chapter or file a private cause of action in court to enforce this section.Sec.
RCW 49.48.010 and 2010 c 8 s 12047 are each amended to read as follows:When any employee shall cease to work for an employer, whether by discharge or by voluntary withdrawal, the wages due him or her on account of his or her employment, including unused vested vacation leave and other paid time off pursuant to section 1 of this act, shall be paid to him or her at the end of the established pay period:
RCW 49.48.010 and 2010 c 8 s 12047 are each amended to read as follows:When any employee shall cease to work for an employer, whether by discharge or by voluntary withdrawal, the wages due him or her on account of his or her employment, including unused vested paid vacation and unused vested paid time off, shall be paid to him or her at the end of the established pay period:
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Action History

  1. Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.

  2. Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.

  3. Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.

  4. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  5. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  6. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  7. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 09:00 AM

  8. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  9. Minority; without recommendation.

  10. Minority; do not pass.

  11. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  12. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  13. Minority; without recommendation.

  14. Minority; do not pass.

  15. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  17. Minority; without recommendation.

  18. Minority; do not pass.

  19. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  20. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 01:30 PM

  21. Referred to Appropriations.

  22. Referred to Appropriations.

  23. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 08:00 AM

  24. Minority; do not pass.

  25. LAWS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  26. Minority; do not pass.

  27. LAWS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  28. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 01:30 PM

  29. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  30. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

  • Sells

Not signed on (149)

149 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 2171?
HB 2171 is sponsored by Sharon Tomiko Santos (Democrat) and Sells.
What is the current status of HB 2171?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 2171?
Track HB 2171 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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