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Bill

HB 2144

Requiring notices to employees when electronic monitoring is used to assist employers conducting performance evaluations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by April Berg and 37 co-sponsors

Washington bill requires employers to notify workers when electronic monitoring systems evaluate job performance, establishing workplace surveillance transparency standards.

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
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Bill Summary · HB 2144

Legislative bill overview

HB 2144 requires Washington employers to provide written notice to employees when electronic monitoring systems are used to evaluate job performance. The bill establishes transparency requirements around workplace surveillance technology used for performance assessment purposes.

Why is this important

Employee monitoring technology—including keystroke tracking, screen recording, GPS location monitoring, and productivity analytics—is increasingly common but often invisible to workers. This bill addresses a significant workplace transparency gap where employees may be unaware they're being monitored, affecting workplace privacy expectations and employee trust.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Employers argue mandatory notice requirements create administrative burdens and may require system overhauls, particularly for small businesses using third-party monitoring software
  • Definition disputes: Ambiguity around what constitutes "electronic monitoring" for performance evaluation (does metadata collection count? What about time-tracking software?) could lead to implementation challenges and legal disputes
  • Competitive disadvantage concerns: Some employers worry that notice requirements could disadvantage Washington companies competing with out-of-state firms not subject to similar restrictions, potentially affecting hiring or relocation decisions
  • Employee concerns about retaliation: Workers may hesitate to acknowledge monitoring awareness or file complaints if they fear consequences, limiting the practical protections the notice provides

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

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