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Bill

HB 1013

Concerning exemption of certain personnel of the department of social and health services from civil service.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Berry and 3 co-sponsors

Washington exempts certain DSHS personnel from civil service requirements, allowing flexible hiring and employment practices without merit-based protections.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1013

Legislative bill overview

HB 1013 exempts certain personnel from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) from Washington's civil service requirements. This allows designated DSHS positions to be filled outside the standard merit-based hiring and job protection systems that typically govern state employment.

Why is this important

Civil service exemptions affect how state agencies hire, manage, and potentially remove employees. This change allows DSHS greater flexibility in personnel decisions but removes job security protections and merit-based hiring requirements for affected positions, which could streamline operations or create concerns about politicization of hiring practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Job security and merit-based hiring: Exempted positions lose civil service protections, meaning employees can be terminated without the typical procedural safeguards and hiring may not strictly follow merit-based criteria
  • Lack of specific details: The bill doesn't specify which DSHS positions are exempted or the scope of the exemption, making it unclear how many employees are affected
  • Political versus professional decision-making: Exemptions risk allowing political considerations to influence hiring and retention in health and social services roles that should prioritize professional qualifications and continuity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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