Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the coverage of the paid family and medical leave program.

Highlights:

• Defines the ‘qualifying period’ as means the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters or, if eligibility is not established, the last four completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the application for leave (Sec. 1).

• Defines ‘medical leave’ as any leave taken by an employee from work made necessary by the employee's own serious health condition (Sec. 1).

• Defines ‘family leave’ as any leave taken by an employee from work (Sec. 1):

• To participate in providing care, including physical or psychological care, for a family member of the employee made necessary by a serious health condition of the family member;

•  To bond with the employee's child during the first twelve months after the child's birth, or the first twelve months after the placement of a child under the age of eighteen with the employee; or

• Because of any qualifying exigency as permitted under the federal family and medical leave act.

• Specifies that employees are for family and medical leave benefits if they have earned at least $1000 in employment during the qualifying period (Sec. 2).

• Requires employers to maintain employees health benefits even when they are on leave (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text