reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.010 - Commissioner's duties and powers.

RCW 50.12.010
Commissioner's duties and powers.
(1) The commissioner shall administer this title. He or she shall have the power and authority to adopt, amend, or rescind such rules and regulations, to employ such persons, make such expenditures, require such reports, make such investigations, and take such other action as he or she deems necessary or suitable to that end. Such rules and regulations shall be effective upon publication and in the manner, not inconsistent with the provisions of this title, which the commissioner shall prescribe. The commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of this title, shall determine the organization and methods of procedure of the divisions referred to in this title, and shall have an official seal which shall be judicially noticed. The commissioner shall submit to the governor a report covering the administration and operation of this title during the preceding fiscal year, July 1st through June 30th, and shall make such recommendations for amendments to this title as he or she deems proper. Such report shall include a balance sheet of the moneys in the fund in which there shall be provided, if possible, a reserve against the liability in future years to pay benefits in excess of the then current contributions, which reserve shall be set up by the commissioner in accordance with accepted actuarial principles on the basis of statistics of employment, business activity, and other relevant factors for the longest possible period. Whenever the commissioner believes that a change in contribution or benefit rates will become necessary to protect the solvency of the fund, he or she shall promptly so inform the governor and legislature and make recommendations with respect thereto.
(2) There is established a unit within the department for the purpose of detection and investigation of fraud under this title. The department will employ supervisory and investigative personnel for the program, who must be qualified by training and experience.
(3) The commissioner or the commissioner's duly authorized designee is authorized to receive criminal history record information that includes nonconviction data for any purpose associated with the investigation for abuse or fraud under chapter 50.20 RCW. Dissemination or use of nonconviction data for purposes other than that authorized in this section is prohibited.
[ 2010 c 8 § 13013; 2008 c 74 § 5; 1977 c 75 § 75; 1955 c 286 § 1; 1949 c 214 § 7; 1945 c 35 § 40; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 9998-178. Prior: 1943 c 127 § 8; 1941 c 253 § 8; 1939 c 12 § 2.]
NOTES:
Finding—2008 c 74: See note following RCW 51.04.024.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.020 - Personnel appointed by commissioner.

RCW 50.12.020
Personnel appointed by commissioner.
The commissioner is authorized to appoint and fix the compensation of such officers, accountants, experts, and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title: PROVIDED, That such appointment shall be made on a nonpartisan merit basis in accordance with the provisions of this title relating to the selection of personnel. The commissioner may delegate to any person appointed such power and authority as the commissioner deems reasonable and proper for the effective administration of this title, including the right to decide matters placed in the commissioner's discretion under this title, and may in his or her discretion bond any person handling moneys or signing checks hereunder.
[ 1985 c 96 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 158 § 2; 1945 c 35 § 41; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-179. Prior: 1943 c 127 § 8; 1941 c 253 § 8; 1939 c 214 § 9; 1937 c 162 § 11.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1973 1st ex.s. c 158: See note following RCW 50.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.031 - Personnel board—Travel expenses of board.

RCW 50.12.031
Personnel board—Travel expenses of board.
Members of the board shall be allowed travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now existing or hereafter amended while traveling to and from and attending regularly called meetings.
[1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 § 148; 1959 c 127 § 2.]
NOTES:
Effective date—Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34: See notes following RCW 2.08.115.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.040 - Rule-making authority.

RCW 50.12.040
Rule-making authority.
Permanent and emergency rules shall be adopted, amended, or repealed by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of Title 34 RCW and the rules adopted pursuant thereto: PROVIDED, That the commissioner may not adopt rules after July 23, 1995, that are based solely on a section of law stating a statute's intent or purpose, on the enabling provisions of the statute establishing the agency, or on any combination of such provisions, for statutory authority to adopt any rule.
[ 1995 c 403 § 109; 1973 1st ex.s. c 158 § 3; 1945 c 35 § 43; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-181. Prior: 1943 c 127 § 8; 1941 c 253 § 8; 1939 c 214 § 9; 1937 c 162 § 11.]
NOTES:
Findings—Short title—Intent—1995 c 403: See note following RCW 34.05.328.
Effective date—1973 1st ex.s. c 158: See note following RCW 50.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.042 - Rules—2003 2nd sp.s. c 4.

RCW 50.12.042
Rules—2003 2nd sp.s. c 4.
The commissioner of the employment security department may adopt such rules as are necessary to implement chapter 4, Laws of 2003 2nd sp. sess.
[ 2003 2nd sp.s. c 4 § 34.]
NOTES:
Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—Effective date—2003 2nd sp.s. c 4: See notes following RCW 50.01.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.045 - Contract to issue conditional federal employer identification numbers, credentials, and documents in conjunction with license applications.

RCW 50.12.045
Contract to issue conditional federal employer identification numbers, credentials, and documents in conjunction with license applications.
The commissioner may contract with the federal internal revenue service, or other appropriate federal agency, to issue conditional federal employer identification numbers, or other federal credentials or documents, at specified offices and locations of the agency in conjunction with any application for state licenses under chapter 19.02 RCW.
[ 1997 c 51 § 5.]
NOTES:
Intent—1997 c 51: See note following RCW 19.02.300.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.050 - Reciprocal benefit arrangements.

RCW 50.12.050
Reciprocal benefit arrangements.
As used in this section the terms "other state" and "another state" shall be deemed to include any state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and any foreign government and, where applicable, shall also be deemed to include the federal government or provisions of a law of the federal government, as the case may be.
As used in this section the term "claim" shall be deemed to include whichever of the following terms is applicable, to wit: "Application for initial determination", "claim for waiting period credit", or "claim for benefits".
The commissioner shall enter into an agreement with any other state whereby in the event an individual files a claim in another state against wages earned in employment in this state, or against wage credits earned in this state and in any other state or who files a claim in this state against wage credits earned in employment in any other state, or against wages earned in this state and in any other state, the claim will be paid by this state or another state as designated by the agreement in accordance with a determination on the claim as provided by the agreement and pursuant to the qualification and disqualification provisions of this title or under the provisions of the law of the designated paying state (including another state) or under such a combination of the provisions of both laws as shall be determined by the commissioner as being fair and reasonable to all affected interests, and whereby the wages of such individual, if earned in two or more states (including another state) may be combined, and further, whereby this state or another state shall reimburse the paying state in an amount which shall bear the same ratio to the amount of benefits already paid as the amount of wage credits transferred by this state or another state, and used in the determination, bear to the total wage credits used in computing the claimant's maximum amount of benefits potentially payable.
Whenever any claim is filed by an individual involving the combination of wages or a reciprocal arrangement for the payment of benefits, which is governed by the provisions of this section, the employment security department of this state, when not designated as the paying state, shall promptly make a report to the other state making the determination, showing wages earned in employment in this state.
The commissioner is hereby authorized to make to another state and to receive from another state reimbursements from or to the unemployment compensation fund in accordance with arrangements made pursuant to the provisions of this section.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 292 § 9; 1971 c 3 § 11; 1959 c 266 § 1; 1949 c 214 § 8; 1945 c 35 § 44; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 9998-182. Prior: 1943 c 127 § 8; 1941 c 253 § 8; 1939 c 214 § 9; 1937 c 162 § 11.]
NOTES:
Effective dates—1977 ex.s. c 292: See note following RCW 50.04.116.
Construction—Compliance with federal act—1971 c 3: See RCW 50.44.080.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.060 - Reciprocal coverage arrangements.

RCW 50.12.060
Reciprocal coverage arrangements.
The commissioner is hereby authorized to enter into arrangements with the appropriate agencies of other states, foreign governments, or the federal government whereby services performed by an individual for a single employing unit for which services are customarily performed in more than one state shall be deemed to be services performed entirely within any one of the states (1) in which any part of such individual's service is performed, or (2) in which such individual has his or her residence, or (3) in which the employing unit maintains a place of business: PROVIDED, That there is in effect, as to such services, an election by the employing unit with the acquiescence of such individual, approved by the agency charged with the administration of such state's unemployment compensation law, pursuant to which all the services performed by such individual for such employing unit are deemed to be performed entirely within such state.
[ 2010 c 8 § 13014; 1945 c 35 § 45; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-183. Prior: 1943 c 127 § 8; 1941 c 253 § 8; 1939 c 214 § 9; 1937 c 162 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.072 - Employer fails to register—Employer fails to obtain employment security account number—Penalties.

RCW 50.12.072
Employer fails to register—Employer fails to obtain employment security account number—Penalties.
An employer that knowingly fails to register with the department and obtain an employment security account number, as required under RCW 50.12.070(2), is subject to a penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars per quarter or two times the taxes due per quarter, whichever is greater. This penalty is in addition to all other penalties and is in addition to higher rates for employers that do not meet the definition of "qualified employer" under RCW 50.29.010. This penalty does not apply if the employer can prove that it had good cause to believe that it was not required to register with the department.
[ 2010 c 72 § 2.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2010 c 72 § 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect January 1, 2011." [ 2010 c 72 § 5.]
Conflict with federal requirements—2010 c 72: See note following RCW 50.29.025.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.080 - Arbitrary reports.

RCW 50.12.080
Arbitrary reports.
If any employing unit fails to make or file any report or return required by this title, or any regulation made pursuant hereto, the commissioner may, upon the basis of such knowledge as may be available to him or her, arbitrarily make a report on behalf of such employing unit and the report so made shall be deemed to be prima facie correct. In any action or proceedings brought for the recovery of contributions, interest, or penalties due upon the payroll of an employer, the certificate of the department that an audit has been made of the payroll of such employer pursuant to the direction of the department, or a certificate that a return has been filed by or for an employer or estimated by reason of lack of a return, shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such payroll for the period stated in the certificate.
[ 2010 c 8 § 13015; 1983 1st ex.s. c 23 § 9; 1951 c 215 § 2; 1945 c 35 § 47; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-185. Prior: 1943 c 127 § 8.]
NOTES:
Conflict with federal requirements—Effective dates—Construction—1983 1st ex.s. c 23: See notes following RCW 50.04.073.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.090 - Interstate use of employing unit records.

RCW 50.12.090
Interstate use of employing unit records.
The records of an employer maintained in this state pertaining to employment of persons in another state shall be open to representatives of the commissioner to permit cooperation with other state unemployment compensation agencies in ascertaining information necessary to administer the unemployment compensation acts of such other states.
[ 1945 c 35 § 48; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-186.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.100 - Compulsory production of records and information.

RCW 50.12.100
Compulsory production of records and information.
In case of contumacy or refusal to obey subpoenas issued to any person, any court of the state within the jurisdiction of which the inquiry is carried on, or within the jurisdiction of which said person guilty of contumacy or refusal to obey is found or resides or transacts business, upon application by any duly authorized representative of the commissioner, shall have jurisdiction to issue to such person an order requiring such person to appear before such authorized representative, there to produce evidence, if so ordered, or there to give testimony touching the matter under investigation, or in question. Failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by said court as a contempt thereof.
[ 1945 c 35 § 49; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-187. Prior: 1939 c 214 § 9; 1937 c 162 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.120 - Protection against self-incrimination.

RCW 50.12.120
Protection against self-incrimination.
No person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, and other records before any duly authorized representative of the commissioner or any appeal tribunal in obedience to the subpoena of such representative of the commissioner or such appeal tribunal, on the ground that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of him or her may tend to incriminate him or her or subject him or her to a penalty or forfeiture; but no individual shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he or she is compelled, after having claimed his or her privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, except that such individual so testifying shall not be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying.
[ 2010 c 8 § 13016; 1945 c 35 § 51; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-189. Prior: 1943 c 127 § 8; 1939 c 214 § 9; 1937 c 162 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.130 - Oaths and witnesses—Subpoenas—Application for court approval prior to issuance—No notice required.

RCW 50.12.130
Oaths and witnesses—Subpoenas—Application for court approval prior to issuance—No notice required.
(1) In the discharge of the duties imposed by this title, the appeal tribunal and any duly authorized representative of the commissioner shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations, take depositions, certify to official acts and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, and other records deemed to be necessary as evidence in connection with any dispute or the administration of this title. It shall be unlawful for any person, without just cause, to fail to comply with subpoenas issued pursuant to the provisions of this section.
(2)(a) Any authorized representative of the commissioner may apply for and obtain a superior court order approving and authorizing a subpoena in advance of its issuance. The application may be made in the county where the subpoenaed person resides or is found, or the county where the subpoenaed records or documents are located, or in Thurston county. The application must:
(i) State that an order is sought pursuant to this subsection;
(ii) Adequately specify the records, documents, or testimony; and
(iii) Declare under oath that an investigation is being conducted for a lawfully authorized purpose related to an investigation within the department's authority and that the subpoenaed documents or testimony are reasonably related to an investigation within the department's authority.
(b) Where the application under this subsection is made to the satisfaction of the court, the court must issue an order approving the subpoena. An order under this subsection constitutes authority of law for the agency to subpoena the records or testimony.
(c) Any authorized representative of the commissioner may seek approval and a court may issue an order under this subsection without prior notice to any person, including the person to whom the subpoena is directed and the person who is the subject of an investigation.
[ 2010 c 22 § 3; 1945 c 35 § 52; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-190. Prior: 1943 c 127 § 8; 1941 c 253 § 8; 1939 c 214 § 9; 1937 c 162 § 11.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2010 c 22: See note following RCW 51.04.040.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.140 - Destruction of office records.

RCW 50.12.140
Destruction of office records.
The commissioner may destroy any form, claim, ledger, check, letter, or other record of the employment security department at the expiration of three years after such record was originated by or filed with the employment security department, except that warrants and claims, claim determination, employer liability forms and contribution reports may be destroyed at the expiration of six years after such form is originated by or filed with the employment security department, and except that this section shall not apply to records pertaining to grants, accounts or expenditures for administration, records of the unemployment compensation fund and the unemployment compensation administration fund.
[ 1947 c 215 § 11; 1945 c 35 § 53; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 99998-191.]
NOTES:
Preservation and destruction of public records: Chapter 40.14 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.150 - Representation by attorney general.

RCW 50.12.150
Representation by attorney general.
The attorney general shall be the general counsel of each and all divisions and departments under this title and it shall be his or her duty to institute and prosecute all actions and proceedings which may be necessary in the enforcement and carrying out of each, every, and all of the provisions of this title, and it shall be the duty of the attorney general to assign such assistants and attorneys as may be necessary to the exclusive duty of assisting each, every, and all divisions and departments created under this title in the enforcement of this title. The salaries of such assistants shall be paid out of the unemployment compensation administration fund, together with their expenses fixed by the attorney general and allowed by the treasurer of the unemployment compensation administration fund when approved upon vouchers by the attorney general.
[ 2010 c 8 § 13017; 1945 c 35 § 54; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-192. Prior: 1937 c 162 § 17.]
NOTES:
Attorney general: Chapter 43.10 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.160 - Publication of title, rules and regulations, etc.

RCW 50.12.160
Publication of title, rules and regulations, etc.
The commissioner may cause to be printed for distribution to the public the text of this title, the regulations and general rules, and other material which he or she deems relevant and suitable.
[ 2010 c 8 § 13018; 1977 c 75 § 76; 1945 c 35 § 55; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-193.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.170 - Services and fees of sheriffs.

RCW 50.12.170
Services and fees of sheriffs.
The sheriff of any county, upon request of the commissioner or his or her duly authorized representative, or upon request of the attorney general, shall, for and on behalf of the commissioner, perform the functions of service, distraint, seizure, and sale, authority for which is granted to the commissioner or his or her duly authorized representative. No bond shall be required by the sheriff of any county for services rendered for the commissioner, his or her duly authorized representative, or the attorney general. The sheriff shall be allowed such fees as may be prescribed for like or similar official services.
[ 2010 c 8 § 13019; 1945 c 35 § 56; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-194.]
NOTES:
County sheriff: Chapter 36.28 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.190 - Employment stabilization.

RCW 50.12.190
Employment stabilization.
The commissioner shall take all appropriate steps to reduce and prevent unemployment; to encourage and assist in the adoption of practical methods of vocational training, retraining and vocational guidance; to investigate, recommend, advise, and assist in the establishment and operation by municipalities, counties, school districts, and the state, of reserves for public works to be used in times of business depression and unemployment; to promote the reemployment of unemployed workers throughout the state in every other way that may be feasible; and to these ends to carry and publish the results of investigations and research studies.
[ 1945 c 35 § 58; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 9998-197. Prior: 1943 c 127 § 8; 1941 c 253 § 8; 1939 c 214 § 9; 1937 c 162 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.210 - Employment services for persons with disabilities—Report to legislative committees.

RCW 50.12.210
Employment services for persons with disabilities—Report to legislative committees.
It is the policy of the state of Washington that persons with disabilities shall be given equal opportunities in employment. The legislature recognizes that persons with disabilities have faced unfair discrimination in employment.
For these reasons, the state employment service division of the employment security department shall give particular and special attention service to those persons with disabilities which substantially limit one or more of their major life functions as defined under P.L. 93-112 and rules promulgated thereunder. Particular and special attention service shall include but not be limited to particular and special attention in counseling, referral, notification of job listings in advance of other persons, and other services of the employment service division.
Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to affect the veteran's preference or any other requirement of the United States department of labor.
The employment security department shall report to the house and senate commerce and labor committees by December 1, 1987, on its accomplishments under this section and on its future plans for implementation of this section. The department shall report to the above mentioned committees every odd-numbered year thereafter on its actions under this section.
The employment security department shall establish rules to implement this section.
[ 2020 c 274 § 42; 1987 c 76 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 273 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.240 - On-the-job training—Employer qualifications established by rule.

RCW 50.12.240
On-the-job training—Employer qualifications established by rule.
The commissioner may establish by rule qualifications for employers who agree to provide on-the-job training for new employees.
[ 1985 c 299 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.245 - Cooperation with workforce training and education coordinating board.

RCW 50.12.245
Cooperation with workforce training and education coordinating board.
The commissioner shall cooperate with the workforce training and education coordinating board in the conduct of the board's responsibilities under RCW 28C.18.060 and shall provide information and data in a format that is accessible to the board.
[ 1991 c 238 § 80.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.250 - Information clearinghouse to assist in employment of persons of disability.

RCW 50.12.250
Information clearinghouse to assist in employment of persons of disability.
The employment security department shall establish an information clearinghouse for use by persons of disability and governmental and private employers. The services of the clearinghouse shall include:
(1) Provision of information on private and state services available to assist persons of disability in their training and employment needs;
(2) Provision of information on private, state, and federal incentive programs and services available to employers of persons of disability; and
(3) Publication of a comprehensive list of programs and services in subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
[ 1987 c 369 § 2.]
NOTES:
Legislative finding—1987 c 369: "The legislature finds that improving the economic status of persons of disability, the state's largest social minority with over four hundred thousand people, will require active state involvement. Persons of disability suffer unemployment at almost twice the rate and experience poverty at more than twice the rate of the general population. Employers have experienced confusion about the variety of employment services available to them. Optimum service from, and access to, the state's training and placement programs for persons of disability requires coordination and a clear focus on the stated needs of persons of disability and their prospective employers. It is the purpose of this chapter to guarantee that representatives of the disability community, labor, and the private sector have an institutionalized means of meeting their respective needs in the training, employment, and economic participation of persons of disability." [ 1987 c 369 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.252 - Information clearinghouse—Consultation on establishment.

RCW 50.12.252
Information clearinghouse—Consultation on establishment.
In establishing the information clearinghouse, the employment security department shall consult with organizations of private sector employers and persons of disability.
[ 1987 c 369 § 3.]
NOTES:
Legislative finding—1987 c 369: See note following RCW 50.12.250.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.290 - Printed materials—Department's duties.

RCW 50.12.290
Printed materials—Department's duties.
When an employer initially files a business license application under chapter 19.02 RCW for the purpose, in whole or in part, of registering to pay unemployment insurance taxes, the employment security department must send to the employer any printed material the department recommends or requires the employer to post. Any time the printed material has substantive changes in the information, the department must send a copy to each employer.
[ 2013 c 144 § 41; 2007 c 287 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.310 - Professional employer organizations—Revocation of authority to act as coemployer.

RCW 50.12.310
Professional employer organizations—Revocation of authority to act as coemployer.
A professional employer organization's authority to act as a coemployer for purposes of this title may be revoked by the department when it determines that the professional employer organization has substantially failed to comply with the requirements of RCW 50.12.300.
[ 2007 c 146 § 12.]
NOTES:
Report on implementation and impact—2007 c 146 §§ 8-12: See note following RCW 50.04.298.
Effective date—2007 c 146 §§ 5, 6, and 10-12: See note following RCW 50.04.310.
Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—2007 c 146: See notes following RCW 50.04.080.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.330 - Domestic violence employment poster.

RCW 50.12.330
Domestic violence employment poster.
(1) The department shall create an employment poster regarding domestic violence. The poster shall include space in which an employer shall provide the name or names of community resources regarding domestic violence. The employer shall post the poster and keep it posted in a conspicuous place where other required employment posters are posted. The department shall make the poster available on its website and may make the poster available in other formats.
(2) This section does not create any liability for any person or entity for any acts or omissions.
[ 2019 c 228 § 2.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2019 c 228: "(1) The legislature finds that domestic violence causes physical and psychological harm, broken families, economic loss, and other societal ills. According to the center for disease control's national intimate partner and sexual violence survey, about one in three women and one in three men reported experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime. In Washington in 2017, over fifty-four thousand domestic violence offenses were reported to law enforcement and forty-nine domestic violence homicides were committed.
(2) The legislature finds that the workplace may be the only location in which an individual experiencing domestic violence may be free from a perpetrator and feel safe. Individuals experiencing domestic violence may also find the workplace a place of shared confidences. Therefore, the legislature intends to shine the light on and help curb domestic violence by providing, in the workplace, contact information for community resources regarding domestic violence." [ 2019 c 228 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.340 - Report to legislature.

RCW 50.12.340
Report to legislature.
By November 1, 2026, the employment security department, in coordination with the workforce training and education coordinating board, shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature and the governor on how the standard occupational classification or job title data required to be reported under RCW 50.12.070 has been used to evaluate educational investments, add new or modify existing training programs, or improve worksource job placement results.
[ 2020 c 334 § 4.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2020 c 334: See notes following RCW 50.12.070.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.350 - Use of social security numbers in correspondence with third parties.

RCW 50.12.350
Use of social security numbers in correspondence with third parties.
(1) For the purposes of preventing fraud and protecting personal privacy, the employment security department shall examine its current practices in which it discloses the full social security numbers of persons in its correspondence with nongovernmental third parties.
(2) If the disclosure of full social security numbers in its correspondence with nongovernmental third parties is not required by any state or federal law, the employment security department shall:
(a) Institute procedures to replace the use of full social security numbers with other forms of personal identifiers in its correspondence with nongovernmental third parties; and
(b) By July 1, 2023, cease disclosing the full social security numbers of persons in its correspondence with nongovernmental third parties.
(3) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section:
(a) "Correspondence" means letters, emails, or other similar communications. "Correspondence" does not include financial transactions or communications sent via secured or encrypted methods.
(b) "Nongovernmental third party" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, or other legal commercial entity. The term does not include a government or governmental subdivision, agency, instrumentality, or private persons or organizations covered by RCW 50.13.080.
[ 2021 c 80 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.355 - Report—Unemployment trust fund—Minimum weekly benefit increase—Wages subject to tax.

RCW 50.12.355
Report—Unemployment trust fund—Minimum weekly benefit increase—Wages subject to tax. (Expires January 31, 2026.)
(1) By December 1, 2021, and annually thereafter until December 1, 2025, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the department must report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature on the following:
(a) Status of the unemployment trust fund, including any federal advances required for trust fund solvency;
(b) An analysis of the impact of the minimum weekly benefit amount increase, including comparing wages earned and benefits claimed for those individuals receiving the minimum weekly benefit amount and the average claim duration for those individuals.
(2) By December 1, 2021, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the department must report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature a review of the amount of wages subject to tax. This review shall include an analysis of the equitable treatment of employers based on the amount of wages subject to tax, including a comparison of the percentage of wages subject to tax for small, medium, and large businesses and examples of how changes to the amount of wages subject to tax would impact trust fund balances and employer contributions.
(3) The department must use an existing unemployment insurance advisory committee comprising of members of business and members of labor to consult in the development of this report, including any evidentiary assumptions underlying the report. The report must be specifically discussed in a minimum of two meetings of the committee each year prior to submitting the report. The report must also include a section for committee members to respond directly to the contents of the report.
(4) This section expires January 31, 2026.
[ 2021 c 2 § 6.]
NOTES:
Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—Effective date—2021 c 2: See notes following RCW 50.04.323.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.365 - Plain language required for letters, alerts, and notices.

RCW 50.12.365
Plain language required for letters, alerts, and notices.
(1) The department must designate department employees to assure that letters, alerts, and notices produced manually or by the department's unemployment insurance technology system are written in plainly understood language and tested on claimants before they are approved for use. Criteria for approval must include comprehensibility, clarity, and readability. If the messaging of any letter, alert, or notice falls short of those criteria, manual methods of producing a comprehensible version shall be considered while the department waits for their unemployment insurance technology system to incorporate required modifications.
(2) Determinations and redeterminations must clearly convey applicable statute numbers, a brief explanation of pertinent law, outline of relevant facts, reasoning, decision, and result.
(3) The department will work with an unemployment insurance advisory committee comprised of business and worker advocates to explore:
(a) Establishing thresholds that will trigger automatic adjustments in department staffing assignments and phone agent staffing levels;
(b) Establishing a pilot to provide a caseworker approach to the claims of a group of claimants with that casework carrying over to reemployment services;
(c) Increasing language access, including by providing translation of notices sent to claimants as part of their unemployment insurance claims; and
(d) Frequency of the initial and continuing training to meet the needs of RCW 50.12.360.
(4) Dedicated toll-free phone lines must be established for claimants who lack computer skills or access to computers, claimants with disabilities, and claimants with limited English proficiency.
[ 2021 c 271 § 3.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2021 c 271: See note following RCW 50.12.360.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.12 - Administration. › 50.12.370 - Unemployment insurance claims—Online data dashboard—Quarterly reports, performance metrics.

RCW 50.12.370
Unemployment insurance claims—Online data dashboard—Quarterly reports, performance metrics.
The department must:
(1) Maintain an online data dashboard;
(2) Provide quarterly reports with performance metrics that include:
(a) Updates of unemployment rates;
(b) Total numbers of claims paid, amount compensated, claims denied, claims pending in adjudication, claims on which payment has been halted for review, pending appeals, appeals redetermined by the department, and appeals sent to the office of administrative hearings;
(c) Claims center phone statistics including call volume, hold times, abandoned calls, repeat calls, and all-circuits-busy messages for both claimants and employers;
(d) Ratio of staff phone agents to employers and ratio of staff phone agents to claimants;
(e) Number and dollar total of overpayments imposed and overpayment waiver approval rate; and
(f) The percentage of unemployed persons in the state receiving benefits (recipiency rate).
[ 2021 c 271 § 4.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2021 c 271: See note following RCW 50.12.360.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.13 - Records and Information—Privacy and Confidentiality. › 50.13.015 - Information held private and confidential—Requests for disclosure.

RCW 50.13.015
Information held private and confidential—Requests for disclosure.
(1) If information provided to the department by another governmental agency is held private and confidential by state or federal laws, the department may not release such information.
(2) Information provided to the department by another governmental entity conditioned upon privacy and confidentiality is to be held private and confidential according to the agreement between the department and other governmental agency.
(3) The department may hold private and confidential information obtained for statistical analysis, research, or study purposes if the information was supplied voluntarily, conditioned upon maintaining confidentiality of the information.
(4) Persons requesting disclosure of information held by the department under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall request such disclosure from the agency providing the information to the department rather than from the department.
(5) This section supersedes any provisions of chapter 42.56 RCW to the contrary.
[ 2005 c 274 § 319; 1989 c 92 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.13 - Records and Information—Privacy and Confidentiality. › 50.13.020 - Information or records deemed private and confidential—Exceptions.

RCW 50.13.020
Information or records deemed private and confidential—Exceptions.
Any information or records concerning an individual or employing unit obtained by the employment security department pursuant to the administration of this title shall be private and confidential, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. This chapter does not create a rule of evidence. Information or records may be released by the employment security department when the release is:
(1) Required by the federal government in connection with, or as a condition of funding for, a program being administered by the employment security department; or
(2) Requested by a county clerk for the purposes of RCW 9.94A.760.
The provisions of RCW 50.13.060(1) (a), (b) and (c) will not apply to such release.
[ 2019 c 81 § 1; 2004 c 121 § 5; 1981 c 35 § 2; 1977 ex.s. c 153 § 2.]
NOTES:
Effective dates—Severability—1981 c 35: See notes following RCW 50.22.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.13 - Records and Information—Privacy and Confidentiality. › 50.13.030 - Rules.

RCW 50.13.030
Rules.
The commissioner shall have the authority to adopt, amend, or rescind rules interpreting and implementing the provisions of this chapter.
[ 2019 c 81 § 2; 2005 c 274 § 320; 1977 ex.s. c 153 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.13 - Records and Information—Privacy and Confidentiality. › 50.13.040 - Access of individual or employing unit to records and information.

RCW 50.13.040
Access of individual or employing unit to records and information.
(1) An individual shall have access to all records and information concerning that individual held by the employment security department, unless the information is exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.56.410.
(2) An employing unit shall have access to its own records and to any records and information relating to a benefit claim by an individual if the employing unit is either the individual's last employer or is the individual's base year employer.
(3) An employing unit shall have access to any records and information relating to any decision to allow or deny benefits if:
(a) The decision is based on employment or an offer of employment with the employing unit; or
(b) If the decision is based on material information provided by the employing unit.
(4) An employing unit shall have access to general summaries of benefit claims by individuals whose benefits are chargeable to the employing unit's experience rating or reimbursement account.
(5) The employment security department may disclose records and information deemed confidential under this chapter to a third party acting on behalf of an individual or employing unit that would otherwise be eligible to receive records under subsections (1) through (4) of this section when the employment security department receives a release from the individual, the employing unit, or the third party. The release must be signed and include a statement:
(a) Specifically identifying the information that is to be disclosed;
(b) That state government files will be accessed to obtain the information;
(c) Of the specific purpose or purposes for which the information is sought and that the information obtained under the release will only be used for that purpose or purposes; and
(d) Indicating all the parties who may receive the information disclosed.
[ 2019 c 81 § 3; 2005 c 274 § 321; 1993 c 483 § 6; 1977 ex.s. c 153 § 4.]
NOTES:
Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1993 c 483: See notes following RCW 50.04.293.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.13 - Records and Information—Privacy and Confidentiality. › 50.13.050 - Access to records or information by interested party in proceeding before appeal tribunal or commissioner—Decisions not private and confidential, exception.

RCW 50.13.050
Access to records or information by interested party in proceeding before appeal tribunal or commissioner—Decisions not private and confidential, exception.
(1) Any interested party, as defined by rule, in a proceeding before the appeal tribunal or commissioner shall have access to any information or records deemed private and confidential under this chapter if the information or records are material to the issues in that proceeding.
(2) No decisions by the commissioner or the appeals tribunal shall be deemed private and confidential under this chapter unless the decisions are based on information obtained in a closed hearing.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 153 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 50 - Unemployment Compensation › Chapter 50.13 - Records and Information—Privacy and Confidentiality. › 50.13.070 - Availability of records or information to parties to judicial or administrative proceedings—Discovery proceedings—Subpoenas.

RCW 50.13.070
Availability of records or information to parties to judicial or administrative proceedings—Discovery proceedings—Subpoenas.
Information or records deemed private and confidential under this chapter shall be available to parties to judicial or formal administrative proceedings only upon a written finding by the presiding officer that the need for the information or records in the proceeding outweighs any reasons for the privacy and confidentiality of the information or records. Information or records deemed private and confidential under this chapter shall not be available in discovery proceedings unless the court in which the action has been filed has made the finding specified above. A judicial or administrative subpoena directed to the employment security department must contain this finding. A subpoena for records or information under this section must be submitted in a manner prescribed by the employment security department. The employment security department may recover costs of responding to subpoenas, consistent with 20 C.F.R. Sec. 603.8 (2012), for proceedings where the employment security department is not a party.
[ 2019 c 81 § 5; 1977 ex.s. c 153 § 7.]