Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes up to 16 weeks of paid family leave.

Highlights:

• Authorizes up to 16 weeks of paid time off for the birth or adoption of a child or for a serious medical condition of an employee or an employee’s family member (Sec. 4)

• Requires an employee to work 820 hours to be eligible for paid time off (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that a premium of 0.4% of wages will be collected starting on January 1, 2019, with 63% being paid by employees and 37% paid by employers (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that weekly benefits are based on a percentage of the employee’s wages and the state’s weekly average wage (Sec. 6).

• Authorizes employers to operate their own equivalent voluntary plans (Sec. 14).

• Establishes special provisions for small businesses (Sec. 84).

• Authorizes tribes and self-employed individuals to opt in to coverage (Secs. 10 & 11)

• Specifies that eligibility for paid time off expires 12 months after the birth or adoption of a child (Sec. 4).

• Specifies the maximum pay per week for time off  is $1,000 or 90% of the average state weekly wage and the minimum is $100 per week (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes up to 16 weeks of paid family leave.

Highlights:

• Authorizes up to 16 weeks of paid time off for the birth or adoption of a child or for a serious medical condition of an employee or an employee’s family member (Sec. 4)

• Requires an employee to work 820 hours to be eligible for paid time off (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that a premium of 0.4% of wages will be collected starting on January 1, 2019, with 63% being paid by employees and 37% paid by employers (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that weekly benefits are based on a percentage of the employee’s wages and the state’s weekly average wage (Sec. 6).

• Authorizes employers to operate their own equivalent voluntary plans (Sec. 14).

• Establishes special provisions for small businesses (Sec. 84).

• Authorizes tribes and self-employed individuals to opt in to coverage (Secs. 10 & 11)

• Specifies that eligibility for paid time off expires 12 months after the birth or adoption of a child (Sec. 4).

• Specifies the maximum pay per week for time off  is $1,000 or 90% of the average state weekly wage and the minimum is $100 per week (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text