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Linebarger Attorney Helps Craft Washington State Remote Work Rule

Linebarger Attorney Kevin Underwood is one of six subject matter experts developing a remote work rule in Washington that could allow licensed collection agency employees to work off-site permanently in that state. The Washington State Department of Licensing will hold a hearing on January 5 to discuss the provisions of the remote work rule with interested members of the industry.

A temporary remote work rule currently allows licensed collection agencies to work off-site through Feb. 17, 2021 and was originally put in place due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. The proposed permanent rule will allow licensed agencies to continue working off-site as long as they meet all the required security measures and data storage requirements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing sent out the hearing notice on December 1. The meeting notice adds new remote work requirements and amends definitions in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 308-29-010.

“We understand the weight of the work we do here as this decision could impact whether other states follow suit and amend their remote work rules for the industry,” Underwood said.

Underwood serves on the Washington State Collection Agency Licensing Board (CAB) Rulemaking Committee.

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