Temporary Worker Housing (TWH) Rulemaking
Status
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) in conjunction with the Department of Health (DOH) filed a CR-103P (Permanent Rulemaking) adopting amendments to chapter 296-307 WAC, Temporary Worker Housing (TWH) to protect occupants from the spread of communicable diseases in licensed temporary worker housing.
See all the rulemaking activity for Temporary Worker Housing on our L&I Rulemaking page.
Learn more about our rulemaking process and terminology.
RCW 70.114A.065 directs the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to adopt joint rules for the licensing, operation and inspection of temporary worker housing (TWH).
In April 2020, DOH and L&I received a petition for rulemaking requesting immediate rule amendments to further protect occupants in TWH and cherry harvest camps. In response to the petition, DOH in conjunction with L&I adopted emergency rules to protect occupants from COVID-19 hazards in licensed TWH. The last emergency rule expired January 14, 2023.
Throughout the duration of the emergency, DOH and L&I continued to review new information, data, and science as it became available.
DOH and L&I have assessed the emergency rule requirements, along with input from interested parties. The adopted amendments address prevention of future outbreaks and the spread of any airborne infectious disease.
A CR-103P (Permanent Rulemaking) was filed on September 19, 2023. The rule becomes effective November 1, 2023.
| Action Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Permanent Rule Language DRAFT | April 12, 2023 (Comments Due) |
| Permanent Rule Language DRAFT-Spanish | April 12, 2023 (Comments Due) |
| Proposed Language | May 3, 2023 |
| Proposed Language - Spanish | May 3, 2023 |
| Permanent Rule Language | September 19, 2023 |
| Permanent Rule Language - Spanish | September 19, 2023 |
| Action Item | Date |
|---|---|
| First Emergency Rule | May 13, 2020 |
| Second Emergency Rule | September 10, 2020 |
| CR-101 (Preproposal Statement of Inquiry) for permanent rulemaking | September 10, 2020 |
| Third Emergency Rule | January 8, 2021 |
| Fourth Emergency Rule | May 7, 2021 |
| Fifth Emergency Rule | May 28, 2021 |
| Sixth Emergency Rule | September 24, 2021 |
| Seventh Emergency Rule | January 21, 2022 |
| Eighth Emergency Rule | May 20, 2022 |
| Ninth Emergency Rule | September 16, 2022 |
Upcoming Meetings
No meetings are currently scheduled, please check back for updates.
Previous Meetings & Summaries
June 20-28, 2023 Public Hearing materials
Permanent rule filing September 19, 2023
- CR-103 Proposed Rulemaking
- Concise Explanatory Statement (CES)
- Small Business Economic Impact Statement (SBEIS)
- Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA)
- Chapter 296-307 WAC, Part L, Temporary Worker Housing
Proposed & expired emergency rules
- May 3, 2023 Proposed Language
- March 29, 2023 Permanent Rule Language DRAFT
September 16, 2022 CR-103E Emergency Rule Filing - May 20, 2022 CR-103E Emergency Rule Filing
- January 21, 2022 CR-103E Emergency Rule Filing
- September 24, 2021 CR-103E Emergency Rule Filing
- May 28, 2021 CR-103E Emergency Rule Filing
- May 7, 2021 CR-103E Emergency Rule Filing
- January 8, 2021 CR-103E Emergency Rule Filing
- September 10, 2020 CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry Filing
- September 10, 2020 CR-103E Emergency Rule Filing
- May 13, 2020 CR-103E Emergency Rule Filing
Rule Drafts
The following documents have been compiled regarding the Temporary Worker Housing emergency rules and the proposed permanent rulemaking:
Staff Contacts:
For rulemaking questions, please contact:
Carmyn.Shute@Lni.wa.gov or 360-870-4525
For technical questions, please contact:
Douglas.Hartfield@lni.wa.gov or 360-770-5724
Get updates via email
If you would like to receive updates regarding this proposed rulemaking project and future stakeholder meetings, please sign up for our email updates.