SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Governor Bob Ferguson has signed House Bill 1934 into law, strengthening privacy protections for individuals involved in workplace harassment investigations.
The bill was prompted by a situation in Spokane Valley involving City Council member Al Merkel. It requires the redaction of names, contact details, and job titles from complaints. Additionally, the law mandates that audio recordings be altered to protect identities.
Washington State House Representative Rob Chase, from Spokane Valley, introduced the bill. It references an unfolding situation over the past year involving Merkel.
Merkel was investigated by an independent investigator for disrespectful behavior after several complaints were filed against him by city staff members. Reports indicate that Merkel discovered these complaints and was able to identify the individuals who filed them.
A public records employee informed the House Government Committee in February that Merkel subsequently posted quotes from the complaints on social media, mocking them.
This new law aims to protect individuals involved in such investigations and prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
