Washington State's paid leave act

Today, July 5, 2017, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Senate Bill 5975, a bipartisan bill providing paid family and medical leave for Washington employees. Although the law does not go into effect until 2020, here are the key details:

1. Eligible workers can take extended paid leave for a new child, a severely ill family member, or the worker's own serious health condition.

2. Both employers and employees pay into the system, but the burden to both is expected to be low. According to the Washington State Senate, an employee making $50,000 per year would pay $2.42 per week and the employer would pay $1.42 -- less than a trip to Starbucks.

3. The weekly amount paid out is capped at $1,000. Workers earning less than $1,000 per week would receive a payment of 90% of their income while on leave.

4. Two (2) additional weeks are available for health conditions related to a pregnancy. 

5. Self-employed workers will only be required to pay the employee share to receive the benefits.

6. Employers with fifty (50) or fewer employees are exempt from the employer share of premiums as well.

7. Premiums will begin to be collected on January 1, 2019 from employers and employees. 

8. Total annual leave is between 12 and 16 weeks maximum, depending upon the circumstances. 

Washington is the 5th state to have a paid family leave program, joining California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York. If you already have paid leave options or if you want to learn more as an employer or employee, contact an employment attorney. Note that this paid leave program is a supplement to state and federal FMLA laws.