RCW 19.31.010
Short title.
This chapter shall be known and cited as "The Employment Agency Act".
[
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 1
.]
RCW 19.31.020
Definitions.
Unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context, the following words and phrases, as hereinafter used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings:
(1) "Applicant," except when used to describe an applicant for an employment agency license, means any person, whether employed or unemployed, seeking or entering into any arrangement for his or her employment or change of his or her employment through the medium or service of an employment agency.
(2) "Career guidance and counseling service" means any person, firm, association, or corporation conducting a business that engages in any of the following activities:
(a) Career assessment, planning, or testing through individual counseling or group seminars, classes, or workshops;
(b) Skills analysis, resume writing, and preparation through individual counseling or group seminars, classes, or workshops;
(c) Training in job search or interviewing skills through individual counseling or group seminars, classes, or workshops: PROVIDED, That the career guidance and counseling service does not engage in any of the following activities:
(i) Contacts employers on behalf of an applicant or in any way intercedes between employer and applicant;
(ii) Provides information on specific job openings;
(iii) Holds itself out as able to provide referrals to specific companies or individuals who have specific job openings.
(3) "Director" shall mean the director of licensing.
(4) "Employer" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association employing or seeking to enter into an arrangement to employ a person through the medium or service of an employment agency.
(5) "Employment agency" is synonymous with "agency" and shall mean any business in which any part of the business gross or net income is derived from a fee received from applicants, and in which any of the following activities are engaged in:
(a) The offering, promising, procuring, or attempting to procure employment for applicants;
(b) The giving of information regarding where and from whom employment may be obtained; or
(c) The sale of a list of jobs or a list of names of persons or companies accepting applications for specific positions, in any form.
In addition the term "employment agency" shall mean and include any person, bureau, employment listing service, employment directory, organization, or school which for profit, by advertisement or otherwise, offers, as one of its main objects or purposes, to procure employment for any person who pays for its services, or which collects tuition, or charges for service of any nature, where the main object of the person paying the same is to secure employment. It also includes any business that provides a resume to an individual and provides that person with a list of names to whom the resume may be sent or provides that person with preaddressed envelopes to be mailed by the individual or by the business itself, if the list of names or the preaddressed envelopes have been compiled and are represented by the business as having job openings. The term "employment agency" shall not include labor union organizations, temporary service contractors, proprietary schools operating within the scope of activities for which the school is licensed under chapter
28C.10
RCW, nonprofit schools and colleges, career guidance and counseling services, employment directories that are sold in a manner that allows the applicant to examine the directory before purchase, theatrical agencies, farm labor contractors, or the Washington state employment agency.
(6) "Employment directory" means any business operated by any person that provides in any form, including written or verbal, lists of employers, does not provide lists of specified positions of employment, that holds itself out to applicants as able to provide information on employment in specific industries or geographical areas, and that charges a fee to the applicant for its services.
(7) "Employment listing service" means any business operated by any person that provides in any form, including written or verbal, lists of specified positions of employment available with any employer other than itself or that holds itself out to applicants as able to provide information about specific positions of employment available with any employer other than itself, and that charges a fee to the applicant for its services and does not set up interviews or otherwise intercede between employer and applicant.
(8) "Farm labor contractor" means any person, or his or her agent, who, for a fee, employs workers to render personal services in connection with the production of any farm products, to, for, or under the direction of an employer engaged in the growing, producing, or harvesting of farm products, or who recruits, solicits, supplies, or hires workers on behalf of an employer engaged in the growing, producing, or harvesting of farm products or who provides in connection with recruiting, soliciting, supplying, or hiring workers engaged in the growing, producing, or harvesting of farm products, one or more of the following services: Furnishes board, lodging, or transportation for such workers, supervises, times, checks, counts, sizes, or otherwise directs or measures their work; or disburses wage payments to such persons.
(9) "Fee" means anything of value. The term includes money or other valuable consideration or services or the promise of money or other valuable consideration or services, received directly or indirectly by an employment agency from a person seeking employment, in payment for the service.
(10) "Person" includes any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, company, society, manager, contractor, subcontractor, bureau, agency, service, office, or an agent or employee of any of the foregoing.
(11) "Resume" means a document of the applicant's employment history that is approved, received, and paid for by the applicant.
(12) "Temporary service contractors" shall mean any person, firm, association, or corporation conducting a business which consists of employing individuals directly for the purpose of furnishing such individuals on a part time or temporary help basis to others.
(13) "Theatrical agency" means any person who, for a fee or commission, procures on behalf of an individual or individuals, employment or engagements for circus, vaudeville, the variety field, the legitimate theater, motion pictures, radio, television, phonograph recordings, transcriptions, opera, concert, ballet, modeling, or other entertainments, exhibitions, or performances. The term "theatrical agency" does not include any person charging an applicant a fee prior to or in advance of:
(a) Procuring employment for the applicant;
(b) Giving or providing the applicant information regarding where or from whom employment may be obtained;
(c) Allowing or requiring the applicant to participate in any instructional class, audition, or career guidance or counseling; or
(d) Allowing the applicant to be eligible for employment through the person.
[
2011 c 336 s 531
;
1998 c 228 s 1
;
1993 c 499 s 1
;
1990 c 70 s 1
;
1979 c 158 s 82
;
1977 ex.s. c 51 s 1
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015
(2)(k).
RCW 19.31.030
Records.
Each employment agency shall keep records of all services rendered employers and applicants. These records shall contain the name and address of the employer by whom the services were solicited; the name and address of the applicant; kind of position ordered by the employer; dates job orders or job listings are obtained; subsequent dates job orders or job listings are verified as still being current; kind of position accepted by the applicant; probable duration of the employment, if known; rate of wage or salary to be paid the applicant; amount of the employment agency's fee; dates and amounts of refund if any, and reason for such refund; and the contract agreed to between the agency and applicant. An employment listing service need not keep records pertaining to the kind of position accepted by applicant and probable duration of employment.
An employment directory shall keep records of all services rendered to applicants. These records shall contain: The name and address of the applicant; amount of the employment directory's fee; dates and amounts of refund if any, and reason for the refund; the contract agreed to between the employment directory and applicant; and the dates of contact with employers made pursuant to RCW 19.31.190
(11).
The director shall have authority to demand and to examine, at the employment agency's regular place of business, all books, documents, and records in its possession for inspection. Unless otherwise provided by rules or regulation adopted by the director, such records shall be maintained for a period of three years from the date in which they are made.
[
1993 c 499 s 2
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 3
.]
RCW 19.31.040
Contract between agency and applicant
—
Contents
—
Notice.
An employment agency shall provide each applicant with a copy of the contract between the applicant and employment agency which shall have printed on it or attached to it a copy of RCW 19.31.170
as now or hereafter amended. Such contract shall contain the following:
(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the employment agency;
(2) Trade name if any;
(3) The date of the contract;
(4) The name of the applicant;
(5) The amount of the fee to be charged the applicant, or the method of computation of the fee, and the time and method of payments: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That if the provisions of the contract come within the definition of a "retail installment transaction", as defined in RCW 63.14.010, the contract shall conform to the requirements of chapter
63.14
RCW, as now or hereafter amended;
(6) A notice in eight-point boldface type or larger directly above the space reserved in the contract for the signature of the buyer. The caption, "NOTICE TO APPLICANT
—
READ BEFORE SIGNING" shall precede the body of the notice and shall be in ten-point boldface type or larger. The notice shall read as follows:
"This is a contract. If you accept employment with any employer through [name of employment agency] you will be liable for the payment of the fee as set out above. Do not sign this contract before you read it or if any spaces intended for the agreed terms are left blank. You must be given a copy of this contract at the time you sign it."
The notice for an employment listing service shall read as follows:
"This is a contract. You understand [the employment listing service] provides information on bona fide job listings but does not guarantee you will be offered a job. You also understand you are liable for the payment of the fee when you receive the list or referral. Do not sign this contract before you read it or if any spaces intended for the agreed terms are left blank. You must be given a copy of this contract at the time you sign it."
The notice for an employment directory shall read as follows if the directory is sold in person:
"This is a contract. You understand [the employment directory] provides information on possible employers along with general employment, industry, and geographical information to assist you, but does not list actual job openings or guarantee you will obtain employment through its services. You also understand you are liable for the payment of the fee when you receive the directory. Do not sign this contract before you read it or if any spaces intended for the agreed terms are left blank. You must be given a copy of this contract at the time you sign it."
A verbal notice for an employment directory shall be as follows before accepting a fee if the directory is sold over the telephone:
"You understand [the employment directory] provides information on possible employers along with general employment, industry, and geographical information to assist you, but does not list actual job openings or guarantee you will obtain employment through its services. You also understand you are liable for the payment of the fee when you order the directory."
A copy of the contract must be sent to all applicants ordering by telephone and must specify the following information:
(a) Name, address, and phone number of employment directory;
(b) Name, address, and phone number of applicant;
(c) Date of order;
(d) Date verbal notice was read to applicant along with a printed statement to read as follows:
"On [date verbal notice was read] and prior to placing this order the following statement was read to you: "You understand [the employment directory] provides information on possible employers along with general employment, industry, and geographical information to assist you, but does not list actual job openings or guarantee you will be offered a job. You also understand you are liable for the payment of the fee when you order the directory."; and
(e) Signature of employment directory representative.
[
1993 c 499 s 3
;
1985 c 7 s 83
;
1977 ex.s. c 51 s 2
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 4
.]
RCW 19.31.050
Approval of contract, fee schedule.
Prior to using any contract or fee schedule in the transaction of its business with applicants, each employment agency shall obtain the director's approval for the use of such contract or fee schedule.
[
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 5
.]
RCW 19.31.060
Request from employer for interview required
—
Information to be furnished applicant.
No employment agency shall send any applicant on an interview with a prospective employer without having first obtained, either orally or in writing, a bona fide request from such employer for the interview: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That, it shall be the duty of every employment agency to give to each applicant for employment, orally or in writing, before being sent on an interview, information as to the name and address of the person to whom the applicant is to apply for such employment, the kind of service to be performed, the anticipated rate of wages or compensation, the agency's fee based on such anticipated wages or compensation, whether such employment is permanent or temporary, and the name and address of the natural person authorizing the interviewing of such applicant.
[
1977 ex.s. c 51 s 3
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 6
.]
RCW 19.31.070
Administration of chapter
—
Rules
—
Investigations
—
Inspections.
(1) The director shall administer the provisions of this chapter and shall issue from time to time reasonable rules and regulations for enforcing and carrying out the provisions and purposes of this chapter.
(2) The director shall have supervisory and investigative authority over all employment agencies. Upon receiving a complaint against any employment agency, the director shall have the right to examine all books, documents, or records in its possession. In addition, the director may examine the office or offices where business is or shall be conducted by such agency.
[
2002 c 86 s 269
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 7
.]
NOTES:
Effective dates
—
2002 c 86:
See note following RCW 18.08.340
.
Part headings not law
—
Severability
—
2002 c 86:
See RCW 18.235.902
and
18.235.903
.
RCW 19.31.080
License required
—
Penalty.
It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to conduct an employment agency business in this state unless he or she has an employment agency license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
[
2011 c 336 s 532
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 8
.]
RCW 19.31.090
Bond
—
Cash deposit
—
Action on bond or deposit
—
Procedure
—
Judgment.
(1) Before conducting any business as an employment agency each licensee shall file with the director a surety bond in the sum of two thousand dollars running to the state of Washington, for the benefit of any person injured or damaged as a result of any violation by the licensee or his or her agent of any of the provisions of this chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted by the director pursuant to RCW 19.31.070
(1).
(2) In lieu of the surety bond required by this section the license applicant may file with the director a cash deposit or other negotiable security acceptable to the director: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, If the license applicant has filed a cash deposit, the director shall deposit such funds with the state treasurer. If the license applicant has deposited cash or other negotiable security with the director, the same shall be returned to the licensee at the expiration of one year after the employment agency's license has expired or been revoked, if no legal action has been instituted against the licensee or the surety deposit at the expiration of the year.
(3) Any person having a claim against an employment agency for any violation of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder may bring suit upon such bond or deposit in an appropriate court of the county where the office of the employment agency is located or of any county in which jurisdiction of the employment agency may be had. Action upon such bond or deposit shall be commenced by serving and filing of the complaint within one year from the date of expiration of the employment agency license in force at the time the act for which the suit is brought occurred. A copy of the complaint shall be served by registered or certified mail upon the director at the time the suit is started, and the director shall maintain a record, available for public inspection, of all suits so commenced. Such service on the director shall constitute service on the surety and the director shall transmit the complaint or a copy thereof to the surety within five business days after it shall have been received. The surety upon the bond shall not be liable in an aggregate amount in excess of the amount named in the bond, but in case claims pending at any one time exceed the amount of the bond, claims shall be satisfied in the order of judgment rendered. In the event that any final judgment shall impair the liability of the surety upon bond so furnished or the amount of the deposit so that there shall not be in effect a bond undertaking or deposit in the full amount prescribed in this section, the director shall suspend the license of such employment agency until the bond undertaking or deposit in the required amount, unimpaired by unsatisfied judgment claims, shall have been furnished.
(4) In the event of a final judgment being entered against the deposit or security referred to in subsection (2) of this section, the director shall, upon receipt of a certified copy of the final judgment, order said judgment to be paid from the amount of the deposit or security.
[
2011 c 336 s 533
;
1977 ex.s. c 51 s 4
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 9
.]
RCW 19.31.100
Application
—
Contents
—
Filing
—
Qualifications of applicants and licensees
—
Waiver
—
Exceptions.
(1) Every applicant for an employment agency's license or a renewal thereof shall file with the director a written application stating the name and address of the applicant; the street and number of the building in which the business of the employment agency is to be conducted; the name of the person who is to have the general management of the office; the name under which the business of the office is to be carried on; whether or not the applicant is pecuniarily interested in the business to be carried on under the license; shall be signed by the applicant and sworn to before a notary public; and shall identify anyone holding over twenty percent interest in the agency. If the applicant is a corporation, the application shall state the names and addresses of the officers and directors of the corporation, and shall be signed and sworn to by the president and secretary thereof. If the applicant is a partnership, the application shall also state the names and addresses of all partners therein, and shall be signed and sworn to by all of them. The application shall also state whether or not the applicant is, at the time of making the application, or has at any previous time been engaged in or interested in or employed by anyone engaged in the business of an employment agency.
(2) The application shall require a certification that no officer or holder of more than twenty percent interest in the business has been convicted of a felony within ten years of the application which directly relates to the business for which the license is sought, or had any judgment entered against such person in any civil action involving fraud, misrepresentation, or conversion.
(3) All applications for employment agency licenses shall be accompanied by a copy of the form of contract and fee schedule to be used between the employment agency and the applicant.
(4) No license to operate an employment agency in this state shall be issued, transferred, renewed, or remain in effect, unless the person who has or is to have the general management of the office has qualified pursuant to this section. The director may, for good cause shown, waive the requirement imposed by this section for a period not to exceed one hundred and twenty days. Persons who have been previously licensed or who have operated to the satisfaction of the director for at least one year prior to September 21, 1977 as a general manager shall be entitled to operate for up to one year from such date before being required to qualify under this section. In order to qualify, such person shall, through testing procedures developed by the director, show that such person has a knowledge of this law, pertinent labor laws, and laws against discrimination in employment in this state and of the United States. Said examination shall be given at least once each quarter and a fee for such examination shall be established by the director. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preclude any one natural person from being designated as the person who is to have the general management of up to three offices operated by any one licensee.
While employment directories may at the director's discretion be required to show that the person has a knowledge of this chapter, employment directories are exempt from testing on pertinent labor laws, and laws against discrimination in employment in this state and of the United States.
(5) Employment directories shall register with the department and meet all applicable requirements of this chapter but shall not be required to be licensed by the department or pay a licensing fee.
[
1993 c 499 s 4
;
1982 c 227 s 14
;
1977 ex.s. c 51 s 5
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 10
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1982 c 227:
See note following RCW 19.09.100
.
RCW 19.31.110
Expiration date of license
—
Reinstatement.
An employment agency license shall expire June 30th. Any such license not renewed may be reinstated if the employment agency can show good cause to the director for renewal of the license and present proof of intent to continue to act as an employment agency: PROVIDED, That no license shall be issued upon such application for reinstatement until all fees and penalties previously accrued under this chapter have been paid.
[
1977 ex.s. c 51 s 6
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 11
.]
RCW 19.31.120
Transfer of license.
No license granted pursuant to this chapter shall be transferable without the consent of the director. No employment agency shall permit any person not mentioned in the license application to become connected with the business as an owner, member, officer, or director without the consent of the director. Consent may be withheld for any reason for which an original application for a license might have been rejected, if the person in question had been mentioned therein.
[
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 12
.]
RCW 19.31.130
License sanction
—
Grounds
—
Support order, noncompliance.
(1) In accordance with the provisions of chapter
34.05
RCW, the director may by order sanction the license of any employment agency under RCW 18.235.110, if the director finds that the applicant or licensee has violated any provisions of this chapter, or failed to comply with any rule or regulation issued by the director pursuant to this chapter.
(2) The director shall immediately suspend the license or certificate of a person who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320
by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a support order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements for reinstatement during the suspension, reissuance of the license or certificate shall be automatic upon the director's receipt of a release issued by the department of social and health services stating that the licensee is in compliance with the order.
[
2002 c 86 s 270
;
1997 c 58 s 848
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 13
.]
NOTES:
Effective dates
—
2002 c 86:
See note following RCW 18.08.340
.
Part headings not law
—
Severability
—
2002 c 86:
See RCW 18.235.902
and
18.235.903
.
Short title
—
Part headings, captions, table of contents not law
—
Exemptions and waivers from federal law
—
Conflict with federal requirements
—
Severability
—
1997 c 58:
See RCW 74.08A.900
through
74.08A.904
.
Effective dates
—
Intent
—
1997 c 58:
See notes following RCW 74.20A.320
.
RCW 19.31.140
Fees for licensees.
The director shall determine the fees, as provided in RCW 43.24.086, charged to those parties licensed as employment agencies for original applications, renewal per year, branch license, both original and renewal, transfer of license, and approval of amended or new contracts and/or fee schedules.
[
1985 c 7 s 84
;
1975 1st ex.s. c 30 s 92
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 14
.]
RCW 19.31.150
Employment condition precedent to charging fee
—
Exceptions.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, no employment agency shall charge or accept a fee or other consideration from an applicant without complying with the terms of a written contract as specified in RCW 19.31.040, and then only after such agency has been responsible for referring such job applicant to an employer or such employer to a job applicant and where as a result thereof such job applicant has been employed by such employer.
(2) Employment listing services may charge or accept a fee when they provide the applicant with the job listing or the referral.
(3) An employment directory may charge or accept a fee when it provides the applicant with the directory.
[
1993 c 499 s 5
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 15
.]
RCW 19.31.160
Charging fee or payment contrary to chapter
—
Return of excess.
Any employment agency which collects, receives, or retains a fee or other payment contrary to the provisions of this chapter or to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter shall return the excessive portion of the fee within seven days after receiving a demand therefor from the director.
[
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 16
.]
RCW 19.31.170
Limitations on fee amounts
—
Refunds
—
Exceptions.
(1) If an applicant accepts employment by agreement with an employer and thereafter never reports for work, the gross fee charged to the applicant shall not exceed: (a) Ten percent of what the first month's gross salary or wages would be, if known; or (b) ten percent of the first month's drawing account. If the employment was to have been on a commission basis without any drawing account, then no fee may be charged in the event that the applicant never reports for work.
(2) If an applicant accepts employment on a commission basis without any drawing account, then the gross fee charged such applicant shall be a percentage of commissions actually earned.
(3) If an applicant accepts employment and if within sixty days of his or her reporting for work the employment is terminated, then the gross fee charged such applicant shall not exceed twenty percent of the gross salary, wages, or commission received by him or her.
(4) If an applicant accepts temporary employment as a domestic, household employee, baby sitter, agricultural worker, or day laborer, then the gross fee charged such applicant shall not be in excess of twenty-five percent of the first full month's gross salary or wages: PROVIDED, That where an applicant accepts employment as a domestic or household employee for a period of less than one month, then the gross fee charged such applicant shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the gross salary or wages paid.
(5) Any applicant requesting a refund of a fee paid to an employment agency in accordance with the terms of the approved fee schedule of the employment agency pursuant to this section shall file with the employment agency a form requesting such refund on which shall be set forth information reasonably needed and requested by the employment agency, including but not limited to the following: Circumstances under which employment was terminated, dates of employment, and gross earnings of the applicant.
(6) Refund requests which are not in dispute shall be made by the employment agency within thirty days of receipt.
(7) Subsections (1) through (6) of this section do not apply to employment listing services or employment directories.
[
2011 c 336 s 534
;
1993 c 499 s 6
;
1977 ex.s. c 51 s 7
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 17
.]
RCW 19.31.180
Posting of fee limitation and remedy provisions.
Each licensee shall post the following in a conspicuous place in each office in which it conducts business: (1) The substance of RCW 19.31.150
through
19.31.170
; and (2) a name and address provided by the director, in a form prescribed by him or her, of a person to whom complaints concerning possible violation of this chapter may be made. All words required to be posted pursuant to this section shall be printed in ten point boldface type.
[
2011 c 336 s 535
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 18
.]
RCW 19.31.190
Rules of conduct
—
Complaints.
In addition to the other provisions of this chapter the following rules shall govern each and every employment agency:
(1) Every license or a verified copy thereof shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in each office of the employment agency;
(2) No fee shall be solicited or accepted as an application or registration fee by any employment agency solely for the purpose of being registered as an applicant for employment;
(3) No licensee or agent of the licensee shall solicit, persuade, or induce an employee to leave any employment in which the licensee or agent of the licensee has placed the employee; nor shall any licensee or agent of the licensee persuade or induce or solicit any employer to discharge any employee;
(4) No employment agency shall knowingly cause to be printed or published a false or fraudulent notice or advertisement for obtaining work or employment. All advertising by a licensee shall signify that it is an employment agency solicitation except an employment listing service shall advertise it is an employment listing service;
(5) An employment directory shall include the following on all advertisements:
"Directory provides information on possible employers and general employment information but does not list actual job openings.";
(6) No licensee shall fail to state in any advertisement, proposal, or contract for employment that there is a strike or lockout at the place of proposed employment, if he or she has knowledge that such condition exists;
(7) No licensee or agent of a licensee shall directly or indirectly split, divide, or share with an employer any fee, charge, or compensation received from any applicant who has obtained employment with such employer or with any other person connected with the business of such employer;
(8) When an applicant is referred to the same employer by two licensees, the fee shall be paid to the licensee who first contacted the applicant concerning the position for that applicant: PROVIDED, That the licensee has given the name of the employer to the applicant and has within five working days arranged an interview with the employer and the applicant was hired as the result of that interview;
(9) No licensee shall require in any manner that a potential employee or an employee of an employer make any contract with any lending agency for the purpose of fulfilling a financial obligation to the licensee;
(10) All job listings must be bona fide job listings. To qualify as a bona fide job listing the following conditions must be met:
(a) A bona fide job listing must be obtained from a representative of the employer that reflects an actual current job opening;
(b) A representative of the employer must be aware of the fact that the job listing will be made available to applicants by the employment listing service and that applicants will be applying for the job listing;
(c) All job listings and referrals must be current. To qualify as a current job listing the employment listing service shall contact the employer and verify the availability of the job listing no less than once per week;
(11) All listings for employers listed in employment directories shall be current. To qualify as a current employer, the employment directory must contact the employer at least once per month and verify that the employer is currently hiring;
(12) Any aggrieved person, firm, corporation, or public officer may submit a written complaint to the director charging the holder of an employment agency license with violation of this chapter and/or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
[
2011 c 336 s 536
;
1993 c 499 s 7
;
1977 ex.s. c 51 s 8
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 19
.]
RCW 19.31.210
Enforcement.
The director may refer such evidence as may be available to him or her concerning violations of this chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted hereunder to the attorney general or the prosecuting attorney of the county wherein the alleged violation arose, who may, in their discretion, with or without such a reference, in addition to any other action they might commence, bring an action in the name of the state against any person to restrain and prevent the doing of any act or practice prohibited by this chapter: PROVIDED, That this chapter shall be considered in conjunction with chapters
9.04
and
19.86
RCW, as now or hereafter amended, and the powers and duties of the attorney general and the prosecuting attorney as they may appear in the aforementioned chapters, shall apply against all persons subject to this chapter.
[
2011 c 336 s 537
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 21
.]
RCW 19.31.220
Assurance of discontinuance of violation.
In the enforcement of this chapter, the attorney general and/or any said prosecuting attorney may accept an assurance of discontinuance from any person deemed in violation of any provisions of this chapter. Any such assurance shall be in writing and shall be filed with and subject to the approval of the superior court of the county in which the alleged violator resides or has his or her principal place of business, or in Thurston county.
[
2011 c 336 s 538
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 22
.]
RCW 19.31.230
Civil penalty.
Any person who violates the terms of any court order or temporary or permanent injunction issued pursuant to this chapter, shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars. For the purpose of this section the superior court issuing any injunction shall retain continuing jurisdiction and in such cases the attorney general and/or the prosecuting attorney acting in the name of the state may petition for the recovery of civil penalties.
[
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 23
.]
RCW 19.31.240
Service of process outside state.
Personal service of any process in an action under this chapter may be made upon any person outside the state if such person has engaged in conduct in violation of this chapter which conduct has had impact in this state which this chapter reprehends. Such person shall be deemed to have thereby submitted himself or herself to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state within the meaning of RCW 4.28.180
and
4.28.185, as now or hereafter amended.
[
2011 c 336 s 539
;
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 24
.]
RCW 19.31.245
Registration or licensing prerequisite to suit by employment agency
—
Action against unregistered or unlicensed employment agency.
(1) No employment agency may bring or maintain a cause of action in any court of this state for compensation for, or seeking equitable relief in regard to, services rendered employers and applicants, unless such agency shall allege and prove that at the time of rendering the services in question, or making the contract therefor, it was registered with the department or the holder of a valid license issued under this chapter.
(2) Any person who shall give consideration of any kind to any employment agency for the performance of employment services in this state when said employment agency shall not be registered with the department or be the holder of a valid license issued under this chapter shall have a cause of action against the employment agency. Any court having jurisdiction may enter judgment therein for treble the amount of such consideration so paid, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
(3) A person performing the services of an employment agency, employment listing service, or employment directory without being registered with the department or holding a valid license shall cease operations or immediately apply for a valid license or register with the department. If the person continues to operate in violation of this chapter the director or the attorney general has a cause of action in any court having jurisdiction for the return of any consideration paid by any person to the agency. The court may enter judgment in the action for treble the amount of the consideration so paid, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
[
1993 c 499 s 8
;
1990 c 70 s 2
;
1977 ex.s. c 51 s 10
.]
RCW 19.31.250
Chapter provisions exclusive
—
Authority of political subdivisions not affected.
(1) The provisions of this chapter relating to the regulation of private employment agencies shall be exclusive.
(2) This chapter shall not be construed to affect or reduce the authority of any political subdivision of the state of Washington to provide for the licensing of private employment agencies solely for revenue purposes.
[
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 25
.]
RCW 19.31.260
Administrative procedure act to govern administration.
The administration of this chapter shall be governed by the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter
34.05
RCW, as now or hereafter amended.
[
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 26
.]
RCW 19.31.270
Uniform regulation of business and professions act.
The uniform regulation of business and professions act, chapter
18.235
RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses, and the discipline of licensees under this chapter.
[
2002 c 86 s 271
.]
NOTES:
Effective dates
—
2002 c 86:
See note following RCW 18.08.340
.
Part headings not law
—
Severability
—
2002 c 86:
See RCW 18.235.902
and
18.235.903
.
RCW 19.31.910
Effective date
—
1969 ex.s. c 228.
This act shall become effective July 1, 1969.
[
1969 ex.s. c 228 s 28
.]