Paid Family & Medical Leave
Senate Bill 5975, RCW 50A.04
Starting Jan 2019, all eligible employees will have a monthly paid leave deduction.
Starting in 2020, Washington will be the fifth state in the nation to offer paid family and medical leave benefits to workers. The program will be funded by premiums paid by both employees and many employers, and will be administered by the Employment Security Department (ESD). This insurance program will allow workers to take up to 12 weeks, as needed, when they welcome a new child into their family, are struck by a serious illness or injury, need to take care of an ill or ailing relative and for certain military connected events, or if workers experience multiple events in a health condition with a pregnancy that results in incapacity.
As directed by the Legislature, premium assessment begins Jan. 1, 2019 and benefits can be taken starting Jan. 1, 2020.