WA SB5539

Reduces the minimum claim duration for paid family and medical leave benefits from eight consecutive hours to four consecutive hours

Expands employment restoration rights to employees after just 90 calendar days with their current employer, eliminating previous requirements of 12 months employment, 1,250 hours worked, and employer size of 50+ employees

Extends employment restoration rights to employees who take unpaid FMLA leave during periods when they were eligible for but did not apply for state paid leave benefits

Requires the department to conduct regular outreach to employers and periodic audits of employer files and records to enforce compliance with the program

Requires employers to maintain employee health benefits during family or medical leave regardless of federal FMLA applicability, with exceptions for employees not entitled to employment protection or who did not timely exercise restoration rights

Takes effect January 1, 2026