2009
Legislation is introduced to build family economic security by expanding the Family Leave Insurance program to include care of seriously ill family members and a worker’s own condition, financed through worker-paid payroll premiums of 2 cents per hour. However, facing an unprecedented budget shortfall, Washington lawmakers delay implementation of Washington’s family leave insurance until October, 2012.
Legislative champions and the Family Leave Coalition vow to continue working with state and federal policymakers to fully fund the program and begin benefit payments as soon as possible.
2008
Governor Gregoire recommends and legislators appropriate $6.2 million for start-up costs for FLI, directing the Employment Security Department to design and administer the program. The governor later suspends start-up funding in response to projected state revenue shortfall in 2009.
2007
Governor Gregoire signs Family Leave Insurance into law on May 8, 2007. The program is slated to begin providing benefits to new parents for up to 5 weeks in October 2009. The bill had originally proposed a broader program covering care of ill family members and a worker’s own illness, funded through a 2-cent per hour payroll tax (about $3.50 per month). However, legislators opted for a one-step-at-a-time approach, and left funding open.
2006
Legislators pass the Washington Family and Medical Leave Act. Similar to the federal FMLA, Washington’s FMLA protects state workers if federal law or rules change to limit workers’ access to FMLA leave.
2003
Washington legislature becomes first state in the nation to consider a minimum paid leave bill.
2002
Washington passes the Family Care Act, updating the 1988 law to allow workers to use most forms of paid leave to care for ill children, spouses, parents, parents-in-law, and grandparents.
2001
Advocates and legislators design and introduce family and medical leave insurance, making Washington the first state without an existing state disability insurance program to introduce such a bill.
1993
Success at the state level leads to passage of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in 1993. The FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to workers in companies of 50 or more to care for a new child, an ill family member, or their own serious health condition.
1980s
Advocates and legislators in Washington pass pioneering family leave legislation.
