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Equal Pay and Opportunities Act – Updated Rules Effective May 22, 2026

May 7, 2026
Effective May 22, 2026, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has adopted amendments to the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) rules under Chapter 296-123 WAC, implementing two bills passed in the 2025 legislative session.


Effective May 22, 2026, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has adopted amendments to the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) rules under Chapter 296-123 WAC, implementing two bills passed in the 2025 legislative session.

Substitute Senate Bill 5501 makes it unlawful for an employer to require a valid driver's license as a condition of employment, or to include such a requirement in a job posting, unless driving is an essential job function or related to a legitimate business purpose for the position.

Substitute Senate Bill 5408 clarifies wage and salary disclosure requirements. Employers with 15 or more employees must now disclose in each job posting:

  • The wage scale or salary range — or, if only a fixed wage is offered, the fixed amount; and
  • A general description of benefits and other compensation.

Upon request from an employee offered an internal transfer or promotion, the employer must also provide the wage scale, salary range, or fixed wage amount for the new position.

The rules also establish enforcement procedures and authorize statutory damages of up to $5,000 per affected applicant or employee for wage and salary disclosure violations, in addition to civil penalties.

Dental practices should review job descriptions, applications, and posting templates ahead of the effective date to confirm that any driver's license requirement reflects an essential function or legitimate business purpose, and that wage, salary, and benefit disclosures meet the updated standards.