History
History
The path to Paid Family and Medical Leave
2015: Governor Jay Inslee secured a federal grant to begin designing a paid family leave program.
2017: The Washington State Legislature approved Senate Bill 5975 during the 2017 legislative session. The new law went into effect on October 19, 2017.
2019: Employers begin reporting wages and hours for their employees and remitting premiums.
2020: Individuals begin applying for benefits January 1, 2020. We receive 2,313 applications.
We approve the first application for benefits on January 2, 2020.
We make the first benefit payment on January 8, 2020.
2021: Washingtonians have received $1 billion in payments.
2024: Washingtonians have received $5 billion in payments. We receive the 1 millionth application for benefits.
Research that informed the program
PowerPoint presentation: Findings from a Survey of Registered Voters Statewide
PowerPoint presentation: Washington Paid Leave Interviews with Employers
Report: Cost, Leave and Length Estimates Using Eight Different Leave Program Schemes for Washington
Report: Washington Paid Leave Preliminary Estimates
Report: Washington Paid Leave The Effect of State Paid Maternity Leave on SNAP and TANF