Paid Family Leave in Washington
Issue Overview: House Bill 3305 and Senate Bill 6280 would implement some of the recommendations of the Paid Family Leave Insurance Task Force, including directing the Employment Security Department (ESD) to administer the new benefit and implement several administrative efficiencies to reduce overhead costs of the new benefit. The Department would also set up a state advisory committee on family leave insurance. These two bills, however, are most notable for what they do not include.
Issue Background: Specifically, the task force recommended that the new family leave benefit be funded out of the general fund for the first two biennia, but the bills are silent as to a funding source. They do not direct ESD to explore the possibility of privatizing this program, even though the Task Force spent considerable time discussing this possibility. The bills don't go far enough to clarify that taking leave under this new benefit but not returning to work is akin to a "voluntary quit," thus making the individual ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits. In addition, the business community strongly supports allowing an exception to this program for employers who already offer equal or greater paid family leave benefits to their employees. Finally, there are already at least four (three state and one federal) employment leave laws on the books; this adds a fifth. All of these laws have different eligibility requirements and lengths of leave. The Legislature needs to coordinate these benefit programs to help employers understand and comply with the confusing array of requirements.
NFIB Position: NFIB opposes House Bill 3305 and Senate Bill 6280.
Issue Status: Both measures are dead for the 2008 session.
