HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2281
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to shared leave.
Brief Description: Revising provisions for shared leave.
Sponsors: By Representatives Appleton and Hunt.
Brief History:
State Government & Tribal Affairs: 2/20/07, 2/23/07 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/6/07, 96-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/12/07, 44-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 4/16/07, 95-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Green, Kretz, McDermott, Miloscia and Ormsby.
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
In 1989, the Legislature enacted the Washington State Leave Sharing Program (Program) for
state employees. The stated purpose of the Program is to permit state employees to donate
annual leave, sick leave, or personal holidays to fellow state employees who are suffering
from, or have relatives or household members who are suffering from, an extraordinary or
severe illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition and has caused or is likely
to cause the employee to take leave without pay or terminate his or her employment. As long
as a certain balance is maintained, an employee may transfer annual and sick leave, and may
transfer all of his or her personal holiday to an employee in the Program.
If an employee qualifies to participate in the Program, the agency head determines the
amount of leave, not to exceed 261 days, that the employee may receive. The agency head
also determines when the leave is no longer needed or will not be needed at a future time in
connection with the illness or injury for which it was granted.
Summary of Bill:
Agency heads may authorize an employee to receive shared leave for state or federally
declared emergencies anywhere in the United States when the emergency volunteer service
would cause the employee to take leave without pay or to terminate state employment, and
the employee has depleted, or will shortly deplete, his or her annual and sick leave reserves.
Qualifying employees must have skills necessary for the humanitarian relief organized, and
have been accepted as a volunteer by either a governmental or nonprofit organization
engaged in that effort.
Employees who have been permitted to use shared leave for a declared emergency are
subject to the same requirements and benefits as those receiving shared leave due to
personal or household illness, or who have been called to military service.
Before an agency head makes a determination to return unused leave under the Program, he
or she must receive a statement from the affected employee's doctor verifying that the illness
or injury is resolved. Granted leave under the Program may be used for any other qualifying
condition, in addition to the illness or injury for which the leave was originally granted.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) None.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Appleton, prime sponsor.