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.

Background

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.

Meetings & Timeline

A CR-103P (Permanent Rulemaking) was filed on September 19, 2023. The rule becomes effective November 1, 2023.

Permanent Rule Timeline
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

Public Hearings Schedule

A pre-hearing overview will occur one hour prior to the start of each public hearing. The hearings will begin at the indicated times and will continue until all oral comments are received.
When Where Time
June 20, 2023 Virtual Pre-Hearing Overview 2:00 pm
Hearing 3:00 pm
June 26, 2023 Mount Vernon
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC
16650 State Route 536
Mount Vernon, WA 98372		 Pre-Hearing Overview 2:00 pm
Hearing 3:00 pm​
June 27, 2023 Wenatchee
Pybus Public Market
3 North Worthen Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801		 Pre-Hearing Overview 2:00 pm
Hearing 3:00 pm​
June 28, 2023 Kennewick
Red Lion Hotel Columbia Center
1101 North Columbia Center Blvd.
Kennewick, WA 99336		 Pre-Hearing Overview 1:00 pm
Hearing 2:00 pm
​
Emergency Rule Timeline
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
  • Spanish translation of January 2022 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

    Rule Drafts & Documents

    Agency Filing Documents

    Permanent rule filing September 19, 2023

    Proposed & emergency rules

    Rule Drafts

    Stakeholder Feedback

    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.