BILL REQ. #:  H-0201.1 

Read first time 01/13/11.   Referred to Committee on Labor & Workforce Development.

     AN ACT Relating to providing leave from employment for participating in a child's educational activities; amending RCW 49.78.010; adding a new section to chapter 49.78 RCW; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 49.78.010 and 2006 c 59 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The legislature finds that the demands of the workplace and of families need to be balanced to promote family stability and economic security. Workplace leave policies are desirable to accommodate changes in the workforce such as rising numbers of dual-career couples, working single parents, and an aging population. In addition, given the mobility of American society, many people no longer have available community or family support networks and therefore need additional flexibility in the workplace. The legislature declares it to be in the public interest to provide reasonable leave for medical reasons, for the birth or placement of a child, ((and)) for the care of a family member who has a serious health condition, and for participating in a child's educational activities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 49.78 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) In addition to other leave to which an employee is entitled under this chapter or federal law, an employee is entitled to a total of four hours of unpaid leave during any twelve-month period to attend or otherwise participate in a child's educational activities.
     (2) Leave under this section is subject to the following conditions:
     (a) The time of the leave must be mutually agreed upon by the employer and the employee;
     (b) An employer may require an employee to provide the employer with a written request for leave at least forty-eight hours before the anticipated time of the leave; and
     (c) An employer may require an employee to furnish written verification from the child's school that the employee attended or otherwise participated in the child's educational activities during the time of the leave.
     (3) As used in this section:
     (a) "Employee" means any person who is employed by an employer.
     (b) "Employer" means: (i) Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, business trust, legal representative, or other business entity that engages in any business, industry, profession, or activity in this state; (ii) the state, state institutions, and state agencies; and (iii) any unit of local government.
     (c) "School" means any: (i) Public school; (ii) private school; (iii) preschool; and (iv) child care center licensed under chapter 43.215 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2011.