BILL REQ. #:  S-1432.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/18/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to administrative reassignment to home; and adding new sections to chapter 41.04 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 41.04 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each agency shall develop a home assignment policy or procedure that, at a minimum, complies with section 2 of this act. These policies or procedures must comply with any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
     (2) Agencies shall review their policies or procedures annually to ensure compliance with section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 41.04 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) An employee may be placed on home assignment if the employee's appointing authority determines that home assignment is necessary.
     (2) The appointing authority must notify the agency governing officer or designee and the agency human resources director in writing of the home assignment and the reasons for the home assignment.
     (3) A home assignment may last up to fifteen calendar days. The fifteen-day home assignment may be extended in thirty-day increments upon a determination by the governing officer or designee that additional time is needed.
     (4) Before extending the home assignment, the governing officer or designee must receive an update of activities since the initial home assignment or previous extension and the reason additional time is necessary. If the extension is necessary, the governing officer or designee shall document the reason for the extension and the estimated time the home assignment is expected to end. The governing officer or designee must notify the agency human resources director of any extensions.
     (5) When the home assignment ends, the governing officer or designee must document whether the employee returned to work and the date the home assignment ended.
     (6) If the governing officer is responsible to the governor, the agency must notify the state human resources director of all home assignments, extensions, and any other information the state human resources director requests.
     (7) Beginning March 1, 2014, and each March 1st thereafter, the state human resources director shall submit an annual report to the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding the use of home assignments during the preceding year.
     (8) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.
     (a) "Agency" has the definition in RCW 41.06.020.
     (b) "Home assignment" means administratively reassigning an employee to home during scheduled work hours.
     (c) "Employee" includes all employees of an agency, whether or not covered by civil service.
     (d) "Governing officer" means the person, or combination of persons such as a commission, board, or council, by law empowered to operate the agency.
     (e) "Appointing authority" means an individual lawfully authorized to appoint, transfer, layoff, reduce, dismiss, suspend, or demote employees.