Washington State Expands Paid Sick Leave Protections

Washington state has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 5793), which expands paid sick leave protections under state law. Senate Bill 5793 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

The details

The state of Washington enacted paid sick leave employer requirements in 2018.

Senate Bill 5793 expands the circumstances under which an employee may take paid sick leave under the law to include:

• When their child's school or place of care has been closed for a health-related reason; or
• After the declaration of an emergency by a local or state government or agency or by the federal government.

Covered Family Members

The law also expands the definition of a family member for paid sick leave purposes to:

• Clarify that grandchild and grandparent means the employee's grandchild or grandparent.
• Include a child's spouse in the definition of child.
• Include an individual who:

Note: The law does not cover an individual who lives in the same home where there is no expectation that the employee will care for the individual.

Next steps

• Review paid sick leave policies and practices.
• Train supervisors on the changes under Senate Bill 5793 by Jan. 1, 2025.