HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2702
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
January 29, 2018
Title: An act relating to making technical corrections to the family and medical leave program and making no substantive changes.
Brief Description: Making technical corrections to the family and medical leave program.
Sponsors: Representatives Robinson, McCabe and Springer; by request of Employment Security Department.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor & Workplace Standards: 1/22/18, 1/23/18 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 1/29/18, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKPLACE STANDARDS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; McCabe, Ranking Minority Member; Pike, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doglio, Frame and Manweller.
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
In 2017 a state family and medical leave insurance program (program) was enacted to provide paid family and medical leave to employees. An employee must work 820 hours in the qualifying period to be eligible for benefits.
The program provides paid family leave of up to 12 weeks to bond after the birth or placement of a child or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. It also provides paid medical leave of up to 12 weeks for an employee's serious health condition, with an additional two weeks if there are pregnancy complications. Paid family leave and medical leave is subject to a combined limit of 16 weeks of leave in a year, plus an additional two weeks if there are pregnancy complications, for a possible total of 18 weeks.
Premiums to support the program will be assessed and collected beginning January 1, 2019, and qualifying employees will be eligible for benefits beginning January 1, 2020.
Summary of Bill:
Several statutory cross-references are corrected. Clarifying changes are made to provisions regarding administrative review and judicial review of administrative decisions.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is a technical fix to correct some cross-references that made the family and medical leave insurance program difficult to implement.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Robinson, prime sponsor; Bob Battles, Association of Washington Business; Marilyn Watkins, Economic Opportunity Institute; and Nick Streuli, Employment Security Department.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.