PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 23452025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning contributions in the state paid family and medical leave program.

Sponsored By: Suzanne Schmidt (Republican)

Became Law

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Small employers skip paid leave share

Beginning June 11, 2026, employers with fewer than 50 in‑state employees do not owe the employer share of paid leave premiums. Each September 30, the state averages the headcount on the last day of the past four quarters to set employer size for the next year. A small employer that chooses to pay premiums may get state assistance with those costs.

How paid leave premiums are set

Beginning June 11, 2026, the state charges a paid family and medical leave premium on each worker’s wages up to a yearly cap. Each year around October 20, the commissioner sets the total rate using 140% of last year’s costs, minus the account balance, divided by last year’s taxable wages, with required rounding. The rate cannot be more than 1.20% and must keep about a three‑month reserve. The total is then split into family and medical parts based on past paid claims. Only wages up to the Social Security wage limit are charged, and collected premiums are held in trust.

Paid leave deductions from paychecks

Beginning June 11, 2026, employers must take paid leave premiums from paychecks and send them to the state. For medical leave, they may deduct up to the full medical premium. For family leave, they can only deduct up to: the full family premium plus 45% of the full medical premium, minus the full medical premium. An employer can choose to pay some or all of the worker share.

State blocks local paid leave rules

Beginning June 11, 2026, cities and counties cannot set their own paid family or medical leave insurance rules for private employers. They cannot enforce the state program locally or require longer leave or higher wage replacement than the state plan. This keeps one statewide set of rules.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My TaxesMy HealthMy BudgetMy MoneyMy Freedom
Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Suzanne Schmidt

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brianna Thomas

    Democratic • House

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/28/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/13/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/11/2026House

  2. Chapter 26, 2026 Laws.

    3/11/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/5/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/4/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/4/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/28/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/28/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading consent calendar.

    2/27/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/24/2026House

  11. LC - Majority; do pass.

    2/23/2026House

  12. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    2/17/2026House

  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    2/13/2026House

  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2026House

  15. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    2/13/2026House

  16. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/11/2026House

  17. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

  18. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/7/2026House

  19. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/7/2026House

  20. Referred to Appropriations.

    1/27/2026House

  21. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/23/2026House

  22. LAWS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/23/2026House

  23. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.

    1/12/2026House

  24. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/8/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in