Washington § 49.94.030 - Attorney general's enforcement powers — Penalties.

(1) The state attorney general's office shall enforce this chapter. Its powers to enforce this chapter include the authority to:

(a) Investigate violations of this chapter on its own initiative;

(b) Investigate violations of this chapter in response to complaints and seek remedial relief for the complainant;

(c) Educate the public about how to comply with this chapter;

(d) Issue written civil investigative demands for pertinent documents, answers to written interrogatories, or oral testimony as required to enforce this chapter;

(e) Adopt rules implementing this chapter including rules specifying applicable penalties; and

(f) Pursue administrative sanctions or a lawsuit in the courts for penalties, costs, and attorneys' fees.

(2)(a) For purposes of administrative sanctions, the attorney general's office may waive penalties for first time or de minimis violations of this chapter, and instead provide education and a warning to deter future noncompliance. The attorney general's office may impose administrative sanctions and pursue appropriate legal action for second and subsequent violations.

(b) Maximum monetary penalties for administrative sanctions are as follows:

(i) $1,500 for the first violation, except where a waiver has been granted under this section;

(ii) $3,000 for the second violation;

(iii) $15,000 for each subsequent violation.

(c) A penalty under (b) of this subsection must be imposed per aggrieved job applicant, employee, or party for each violation. The penalty accrues for the benefit of and is payable to the job applicant, employee, or other aggrieved party. If there is no identifiable job applicant, employee, or aggrieved person for the violation, the penalty is retained by the attorney general.

(d) The attorney general may pursue legal action to obtain unpaid wages, unpaid administrative penalties, damages, and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

Application—2025 c 71: See note following RCW 49.94.010.