Title 41 — Title 41 PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, CIVIL SERVICE, AND PENSIONS

Except for chapters 41.05 and 41.40 RCW, this title does not apply to any position in or employee of the Washington health benefit exchange established in chapter 43.71 RCW.[ 2012 c 87 s 19.]Notes:Effective date—2012 c 87 ss 4, 16, 18, and 19-23: See note following RCW 43.71.030.…

(1) As used in this section, "veteran" includes every person, who at the time he or she seeks the benefits of this section and has received a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005 and who meets at least one of the following criteria:(a) The person has served between Wo…

"Veteran" includes every person who, at the time he or she seeks the benefits of RCW 46.18.212, 46.18.235, 72.36.030, 41.04.010, 73.04.090, or 43.180.250, has received a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005, and who has served in at least one of the following capaciti…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5420.SL) ****** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5827-S.SL) ***In all competitive examinations, unless otherwise provided in this section, to determine the qualifications of applicants for public offices, positions, or employment, either the state, and all of i…

(1) In all competitive examinations, unless otherwise provided in this section, to determine the qualifications of applicants for public offices, positions, or employment, either the state, and all of its political subdivisions and all municipal corporations, or private companies…

A Washington high school equivalency certificate as awarded by the Washington state superintendent of public instruction or a high school equivalency certificate as provided in RCW 28B.50.536 shall be accepted in lieu of a high school diploma by the state and any local political …

A one hundred fifty thousand dollar death benefit shall be paid as a sundry claim to the estate of an employee of any state agency, the common school system of the state, or institution of higher education who dies as a result of (1) injuries sustained in the course of employment…

Any employee or group of employees of the state of Washington or any of its political subdivisions, or of any institution supported, in whole or in part, by the state or any of its political subdivisions, may authorize the deduction from his or her salaries or wages and payment t…

Upon being authorized by any employee or group of employees so to do under the provisions of RCW 41.04.020, the auditor or other person authorized to draw warrants against the funds involved is authorized, and if such medical, surgical, and hospital care or either of them, or lif…

The secretary of state is authorized to adopt rules, after consultation with state agencies, institutions of higher education, and employee organizations for the operation of the Washington state combined fund drive.[ 2010 1st sp.s. c 7 s 9; 2010 c 101 s 1; 2003 c 205 s 1; 2002 c…

To operate the Washington state combined fund drive program, the secretary of state or the secretary's designee may, but is not limited to the following:(1) Raise money for charity, and reducing [reduce] the disruption to government caused by multiple fund drives;(2) Establish cr…

The secretary of state may enter into contracts and partnerships with private institutions, persons, firms, or corporations for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the Washington state combined fund drive. Activities of the Washington state combined fund drive shall not result in…

For the purpose of RCW 41.04.035 and 41.04.036 "United Fund" means the organization conducting the single, annual, consolidated effort to secure funds for distribution to agencies engaged in charitable and public health, welfare and service purposes, which is commonly known as th…

Any official of the state or of any of its political subdivisions authorized to disburse funds in payment of salaries or wages of public officers or employees is authorized, upon written request of the officer or employee, to deduct from the salary or wages of the officer or empl…

The Washington state combined fund drive account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from the combined fund drive must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the beneficiaries of the Washington state combined f…

(1) As soon as available, a state agency shall provide the materials described in RCW 28B.77.009 in written or electronic form to:(a) All employees annually;(b) Newly hired employees within 30 days of the employee's first day of employment; and(c) Separated employees upon separat…

For the purpose of determining whether a part-time academic employee at an institution of higher education is considered full time for certifying employment for the public service loan forgiveness program, duties performed in support of, or in addition to, contractually assigned …

When there exists a joint operation of a public service, the authorities may make provision for membership of all new employees in one designated retirement system by agreement with the proper authorities.[ 1951 c 98 s 5.]

Any civil service employee of the state of Washington or of any political subdivision thereof who is on leave of absence by reason of having been elected or appointed to an elective office shall be preserved in his or her civil service status, his or her seniority, rank and retir…

Any city of the first class may, by ordinance, extend, upon conditions deemed proper, the provisions of retirement and pension systems for superannuated and disabled officers and employees to officers and employees with five years of continuous service and acting in capacities in…

"State agency" means a board, department, commission or institution of the state or its political subdivisions.[ 1959 c 102 s 1.]

A state agency may enter into agreements with departments or other subdivisions of the federal government for the interchange of personnel on projects which are of mutual benefit to the state and federal government.An interchange agreement shall specify the fiscal arrangements to…

State agency employees participating in an interchange may be carried on detail or in a leave of absence status.(1) Wherever practicable, employees should be carried on detail. While on detail under an interchange agreement, employees shall remain employees of the state agency fo…

Federal employees participating in an interchange may receive appointment by the state agency, or may be considered to be on detail with the state agency.(1) Appointments of federal employees shall be made without regard to civil service laws or regulations. Compensation shall be…

Any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state acting through its principal supervising official or governing body may, whenever funds shall be available for that purpose provide for all or a part of hospitalization and medical aid for its employees and the…

The cost of a policy or plan to a public agency or body is not additional compensation to the employees or elected officials covered thereby. The elected officials to whom this section applies include but are not limited to commissioners elected under chapters 28A.315, 52.14, 53.…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL) ***(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 41.04.180, the employees, with their dependents, of any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall be eligible to participate in any insurance or self-insurance prog…

(1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.(a) " Disabled employee" means a person eligible to receive a disability retirement allowance from the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retire…

Employers providing access to health insurance coverage under chapter 319, Laws of 2002 may adopt criteria which specify allowable enrollment periods, require enrollees to keep current addresses and information, and outline other processes to ensure that plans can be administered…

Any governmental entity other than state agencies , may use the services of the department of enterprise services upon the approval of the director , in procuring health benefit programs as provided by RCW 41.04.180, 28A.400.350 and 28B.10.660: PROVIDED, That the department of en…

Any official of the state authorized to disburse funds in payment of salaries and wages of public officers or employees is authorized, upon written request of the officer or employee, to deduct from the salaries or wages of the officers or employees, the amount or amounts of subs…

In order to facilitate the transition from one payroll per month to two payrolls per month, the following guidelines concerning payroll deductions and deferrals are established:(1) All mandatory and voluntary deductions which are based upon a percentage of salary shall be deducte…

Any employee or retired employee of the state or its departments, agencies, or subdivisions and any employee or retired employee of a county, public or municipal corporation, school district, or tax supported institution may authorize the deduction from his or her salary or wages…

Participants in a health care benefit plan approved pursuant to RCW 41.04.180, 41.05.065, or 28A.400.350, whichever is applicable, who are retired public employees, may authorize the deduction from their retirement allowances, of the amount or amounts of their subscription paymen…

(1) Except with regard to institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, any official of the state or of any political subdivision, municipal corporation, or quasi-municipal corporation authorized to disburse funds in payment of salaries and wages of employees is …

Any official of any local political subdivision of the state, municipal corporation, or quasi-municipal corporation authorized to disburse funds in payment of salaries and wages of employees is authorized upon written request of any employee, to deduct all or part of such employe…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL) ***(1) Except as provided in chapter 2.10, 2.12, 41.26, 41.28, 41.32, 41.35, 41.37, 41.40, or 43.43 RCW, on and after March 19, 1976, any member or former member who (a) receives a retirement allowance earned by the former member as deferre…

(1) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:(a) "Abuser" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 11.84.010.(b) "Decedent" means any person who is entitled to benefits from the Washington state department of retirement systems by written designation or …

(1) The select committee on pension policy is created. The select committee consists of:(a) Four members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, two of whom are members of the majority party and two of whom are members of the minority party. At least three of the …

(1) The select committee on pension policy may form three function-specific subcommittees, as set forth under subsection (2) of this section, from the members under RCW 41.04.276(1) (a) through (e), as follows:(a) A public safety subcommittee with one member from each group under…

The select committee on pension policy has the following powers and duties:(1) Study pension issues, develop pension policies for public employees in state retirement systems, and make recommendations to the legislature;(2) Study the financial condition of the state pension syste…

Except as otherwise provided by law the payment of travel expenses by the state to any appointive official or employee of any commission, agency, or other body of the executive, judicial, or legislative branches of state government shall be in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43…

(1) An attendance incentive program is established for all eligible employees. As used in this section the term "eligible employee" means any employee of the state, other than eligible employees of the community and technical colleges and the state board for community and technic…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL) ***(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no employee of the state of Washington or any of its political subdivisions or any institution supported in total or in part by the state or any of its political subdivisions, other than e…

In the case of a minister or other clergyperson employed as a religious coordinator in a state institution or agency, there is designated in the salary or wage paid to the person an amount up to forty percent of the gross salary as either of the following:(1) The rental value of …

(1) Directors of state and local entities, in consultation with applicable state agencies and employee organizations, may develop and administer a voluntary state employee wellness program.(2) A director may:(a) Develop and implement state employee wellness policies, procedures, …

The legislature recognizes that supporting child care for employees of public and private organizations is a worthwhile pursuit. To further the goals of affordable, accessible, and quality child care for working parents, the legislature intends to provide for the development of s…

An agency may identify space they wish to use for child care facilities or they may request assistance from the department of enterprise services in identifying the availability of suitable space in state-owned or state-leased buildings for use as child care centers for the child…

When suitable space is determined to be available, either agencies or organizations of state employees may contract with one or more providers to operate child care facilities.Subject to the approval of the director of financial management, suitable space for child care centers m…

In order to qualify for services under RCW 41.04.380, state employee child care organizations shall be organized as nonprofit under chapter 24.03A RCW.[ 2021 c 176 s 5218; 1993 c 194 s 4.]Notes:Effective date—2021 c 176: See note following RCW 24.03A.005.