SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6500
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 Senate, February 11, 2008
Title: An act relating to leave sharing for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Brief Description: Authorizing leave sharing for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Eide, Kohl-Welles, Stevens, Shin, Rasmussen, Kline, Spanel, Holmquist and Haugen; by request of Attorney General).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 1/24/08, 1/28/08 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 2/11/08, 48-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6500 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Keiser, Vice Chair; Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; Franklin, Hewitt, King, Murray and Prentice.
Staff: Ingrid Mungia (786-7423)
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 that has caused or is likely
to cause the employee to take leave without pay or terminate his or her employment. An
employee may also receive shared leave if the employee has been called to service in the
uniformed services, or a state emergency has been declared anywhere within the United States
by the federal or any state government that 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 leave, sick leave, or 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 Substitute Bill: An agency head may permit an employee to receive leave under
the Program if the employee is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Takes effect on October 1, 2008.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on October 1, 2008.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: A state employee that has exhausted their accumulated personal leave, should not have to choose between personal safety and financial stability. This bill will provide an economic cushion for victims who need time off but would not otherwise qualify for shared leave. This is an expansion of tools a victim of domestic violence can use.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Chris Johnson, WA Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs; Christy Peters, Thurston County Persecuting Attorney; Mickey Newberryi, Attorney General Office; Andy Colvin, Department of Personnel; Keith Galbraith, Family Renewal Shelter.