WA SB5217

Requires employers with one or more employees, including religious organizations, to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and pregnancy-related health conditions, including breast milk expression, unless doing so would impose undue hardship

Establishes specific accommodations employers must provide, including flexible restroom breaks, modified no food/drink policies, seating options, temporary transfers to less hazardous positions, lifting limits, scheduling flexibility for prenatal/postpartum visits, and paid break time for expressing breast milk for up to two years after birth

Prohibits employers from claiming undue hardship for basic accommodations such as restroom breaks, food/drink modifications, seating, or lifting limits over 17 pounds

Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries to investigate complaints, issue temporary restraining orders for violations, and assess civil penalties; also provides employees a private right of action to recover actual damages and attorneys' fees

Takes effect January 1, 2027, and may be cited as the "Healthy Starts Act"