WSR 05-09-112

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL


[ Filed April 20, 2005, 10:49 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 357-31-525 What is an employee entitled to under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993?

     Hearing Location(s): Department of Personnel, Joan B. Darin Conference Room, 521 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA, on May 24, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: May 24, 2005.

     Submit Written Comments to: Sharon Whitehead, Department of Personnel, P.O. Box 47500, FOR DOP TRACKING PURPOSES PLEASE NOTE ON SUBMITTED COMMENTS "FORMAL COMMENT," fax (360) 586-4694, by May 18, 2005.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Department of Personnel by May 18, 2005, TTY (360) 753-4107 or (360) 586-8260.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed modification clarifies how the twelve-month period under the Family and Medical Leave Act is measured.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 41.06 RCW.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 41.06.150.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: Due to the passage of SHB 1268 the director of the Department of Personnel has rule-making authority regarding leave. This proposal implements this provision of the Personnel System Reform Act.

     Name of Proponent: Department of Personnel, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Sharon Whitehead, 521 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA, (360) 664-6348; Implementation and Enforcement: Department of Personnel.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Not required.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328.

April 19, 2005

Eva N. Santos

Director


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-08-140, filed 4/6/05, effective 7/1/05)

WAC 357-31-525   What is an employee entitled to under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993?   (1) The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 USC 2601 et seq) and its implementing rules, 29 CFR Part 825, provide that an eligible employee must be granted, during a twelve-month period, a total of twelve (12) work weeks of absence ((when one or more of the following conditions exist)):

     (a) As a result of the employee's serious health condition;

     (b) To care for an employee's parent, spouse, or minor/dependent child who has a serious health condition; and/or

     (c) To provide care to an employee's newborn, adopted or foster child as provided in WAC 357-31-460.

     (2) For general government employers, the twelve-month period in subsection (1) above is ((a rolling twelve (12) months measured from the date an employee)) measured forward from the date the requesting employee begins leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. The employee's next twelve (12) month period would begin the first time leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act is taken after completion of the previous twelve (12) month period. Higher education employers must define within their family and medical leave policy how the twelve (12) months ((is)) are measured.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 41.06 RCW. 05-08-140, § 357-31-525, filed 4/6/05, effective 7/1/05.]

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