Bill > HB1626

This bill expands access to grants within Washington state's Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) insurance program, specifically targeting small businesses and small school districts. The bill modifies existing law to allow employers with 51 to 150 employees, employers with 50 or fewer employees paying all premiums, and school districts of the second class to apply for financial assistance when employees take family or medical leave. Employers can receive a $3,000 grant for hiring a temporary worker to replace an employee on leave for seven or more days, or up to $1,000 to reimburse significant wage-related costs due to an employee's leave. Employers can apply for grants no more than ten times per calendar year and only once per employee on leave. To qualify, employers must provide documentation of additional costs incurred. Employers with fewer than 50 employees who receive a grant will be assessed premiums for three years following the grant, and the grants will be funded from the family and medical leave insurance account. Employers with approved voluntary plans are not eligible for these grants.

Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1626&Year=2025&Initiative=false