As the new year begins, Washington State citizens wake up to new laws that offer better protection for workers, animals, and pedestrians. Starting yesterday a series of new laws will affect different parts of public life.
Significant among these is the increase in the minimum wage to $16.66, a 2.35% rise from the previous year’s rate of $16.28. This wage adjustment, detailed by KOMO News, is mandated by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) who sets the minimum wage to help ensure that workers can maintain a decent standard of living amidst the ever-rising cost of living.
Moreover, a stringent negligent driving law comes into effect, in response to the alarming uptick in traffic fatalities involving pedestrians and other non-vehicular road users. In an effort to preserve life and limb of those amongst us who tread the lanes and paths without the protective embrace of steel, the state will levy heavier fines and penalties on those whose driving negligence results in serious injury or fatality. According to a FOX 13 Seattle report, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission defines vulnerable road users as not only pedestrians and cyclists but also scooter riders, wheelchair users, and a host of others traveling exposed to the raw dangers of the road.
Simultaneously, Washington state embraces a more humane approach to beauty, with the prohibition of the sale of cosmetics developed or manufactured using animal testing. Companies attempting to peddle products forged through such means will be met with fines up to $5,000 per violation, as outlined by KING 5. Exemptions exist, including tests conducted outside U.S. borders to fulfill foreign regulations or those necessitated by other non-cosmetic standards, under the condition that no animal alternatives are available and a substantial need for the testing can be demonstrated.
