Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, shared leave statutes were amended by the Washington state legislature (HB 2739 (2020)). Office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) is considering rule making concerning shared leave to align with recent changes to the related statute. The purpose will be to clearly articulate changes to the shared leave program eligibility for district staff to include the permitted use of shared leave as a result of the 2019 novel coronavirus. Additional changes to the chapter may be considered.

Process for Developing New Rule: Early solicitation of feedback and recommendations concerning new or amended rules, consideration of comments and recommendations during the process of drafting rule language.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting T. J. Kelly, OSPI, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, phone 360-725-6301, TTY 360-664-3631, email Thomas.Kelly@k12.wa.us, website k12.wa.us.