(1) Subject to the other provisions of this title, personal services performed for, or for the benefit of, a third party pursuant to a contract with a temporary staffing services company or services referral agency constitutes employment for the temporary staffing services company or services referral agency when the agency is responsible, under contract or in fact, for the payment of wages in remuneration for the services performed.

(2) The temporary staffing services company or services referral agency is considered the employer as defined in RCW 50.04.080.

(3) Services performed by amateur sports officials, on a contest-by-contest basis, for interscholastic and youth or adult recreational sports contests are not considered employment for a services referral agency if the agency is not responsible for payment to the amateur sports officials unless and until the agency is paid or reimbursed by a third party.

(4) For the purposes of this section:

(a) "Temporary staffing services company" means an individual or entity that engages in: Recruiting and hiring its own employees; finding other organizations that need the services of those employees; and assigning those employees on a temporary basis to perform work at or services for a client to support or supplement the client's workforces, or to provide assistance in special work situations, such as employee absences, skill shortages, and seasonal workloads, or to perform special assignments or projects, all under the direction and supervision of the client. "Temporary staffing services company" does not include professional employer organizations as defined in RCW 50.04.298, permanent employee leasing, or permanent employee placement services.

(b) "Services referral agency" means an individual or entity other than a professional employer organization as defined in RCW 50.04.298 that is engaged in the business of offering the services of one or more individuals to perform specific tasks for a third party.

(c) "Amateur sports official" means any person who serves as a neutral participant in any sports contest where the players are not compensated including, but not limited to, an umpire, referee, judge, linesperson, scorekeeper, timekeeper, or organizer.

Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—2007 c 146: See notes following RCW 50.04.080.

Conflict with federal requirements—1995 c 120: "If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state or the eligibility of employers in this state for federal unemployment tax credits, the conflicting part of this act is hereby declared to be inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict, and such finding or determination shall not affect the operation of the remainder of this act. The rules under this act shall meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state or the granting of federal unemployment tax credits to employers in this state." [ 1995 c 120 s 2.]