HB 2281

SENATE 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 Reported By Senate Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections, March 27, 2007

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Kline and Swecker.

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: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED STRIKING AMENDMENT (S) AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Government Operations & Elections): An agency head may permit an employee to receive leave under the Program if a state of emergency has been declared anywhere within the United States by the federal or any state government and the employee has needed skills to assist in responding to the emergency or its aftermath.

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 subjected 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 in connection with an illness or injury, or any other qualifying condition, he or she must receive from the affected employee a statement from the 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.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.