# Washington State

Type: government

Source: Startup Intelligence Brief — https://getstartupbrief.com/entity/washington-state
Canonical HTML page: https://getstartupbrief.com/entity/washington-state

## Timeline

- **2027-10-01**: Notification Deadline — Final date for employers to notify staff in writing that noncompetes are void.
- **2027-06-30**: Effective Date — All noncompetition covenants become void and unenforceable statewide.
- **2026-03-23**: SHB 1155 Signed — Governor Bob Ferguson signs the near-total ban on noncompete agreements.
- **2019-05-01**: Initial Restrictions — Washington limits noncompetes to high-earning employees and contractors.

## Recent coverage (1 stories)

### Washington State Bans Noncompetes: A Seismic Shift for Tech Talent Mobility
2026-03-25 22:12:26 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 7/10 · Sources: 2

Governor Bob Ferguson has signed SHB 1155, effectively banning nearly all noncompete agreements for employees and independent contractors in Washington starting June 2027. This retroactive legislation marks a significant pivot for the Pacific Northwest’s tech ecosystem, prioritizing labor mobility over traditional corporate restrictive covenants.
Full story: https://getstartupbrief.com/story/washington-state-noncompete-ban-shb-1155

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