WSR 20-09-111

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT

[Filed April 16, 2020, 5:26 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The passage of HB [SHB] 2614 in the 2020 legislative session requires the department to engage in rule making in order to implement the bill. This preproposal statement of inquiry includes, but is not limited to, rules related to the waiting period, conditional waivers, program eligibility (family members), appeals, exemptions from "employment," subpoena authority, and damages.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 50A.05.060.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The employment security department (ESD) must implement HB [SHB] 2614 as directed by the legislature. As part of that implementation, this rule making seeks to provide clear and usable guidance for the public regarding program operations.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No federal agencies and no other state agencies regulate this program as it is a new state entitlement with authority granted solely to ESD.

Process for Developing New Rule: The draft rules will be shared with the public, stakeholders, and the program's advisory committee. The department will solicit input from all involved parties and consider all comments in the development of the final rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting April Amundson, 640 Woodland Square Loop S.E., Lacey, WA 68503, phone 360-485-2816, Teresa Eckstein, State EO Officer, TTY 771 [711] or 360-902-9354, email Rules@esd.wa.gov.

April 16, 2020

April Amundson

Policy and Rules Manager

for Paid Family and Medical Leave