BILL REQ. #:  S-0540.1 

Read first time 01/12/09.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to leaves of absence for peace corps volunteers; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.400 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.400 RCW to read as follows:
     School district boards of directors shall grant leaves of absence without pay for at least two years to any full-time certificated or classified employee who serves as a volunteer in the peace corps who volunteers for the peace corps at the time the person is a full-time employee. Upon expiration of the leave, the certificated or classified employee shall have the right to be reinstated to the position held before the leave was granted at the salary rate prevailing for that position when the employee resumes duty, without loss of seniority or sick leave. This section does not apply to employees who fail to report back to their districts within ninety days after termination of service with the peace corps.