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Hearing divides over expanding job protections under Washington’s paid leave program
Summary
House substitute 12 13 would expand job‑restoration protections, reduce minimum claim period to four hours, and create small‑employer grants. Supporters called it a needed fix for workers who lack job protection; many business groups warned of solvency risks and added costs to small employers.
Second substitute House Bill 12 13, proposing expanded job protections and other changes to Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, was reported to the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee and drew a large and divided public record.
Committee staff Susan Jones described the bill’s core changes: lowering the minimum claim period from eight consecutive hours to four; removing the hourly threshold for employment protection and instead requiring that an employee have begun employment at least 180 days before taking leave to qualify for job protection; extending employment restoration protections to more employees regardless of employer size; and providing grants to offset small‑employer temporary replacement and health‑coverage costs. Jones also summarized the fiscal note and reported projected cash receipts and expenditures driven by projected rate changes and increased use.
Supporters included labor unions, caregivers and advocates who said the existing program leaves many workers—particularly low‑wage and part‑time workers—without meaningful job protection despite paying into the PFML trust. Maggie Humphreys of MomsRising described the current gap: “Nearly half of workers who pay … premiums to fund this program, nearly half of those workers have no right to their job back if they take leave,” she said, citing a UW‑funded study. Union and firefighter representatives said the bill would help emergency services and industries with younger workforces.
Business and local‑government witnesses raised substantial fiscal and operational concerns. Grocery, retail and construction associations, NFIB and Association of Washington Business argued the bill breaks the negotiated compromise reached when PFML was enacted. Witnesses said the fiscal note projected large premium increases and that the program had already required general‑fund support in a prior transfer. Katie Beeson for the Washington Food Industry Association warned of supply‑chain cost increases; Christine Brewer of the Associated General Contractors and others said holding skilled positions open during critical work periods is often infeasible and that grants might not fully cover replacement costs. Several industry witnesses urged administrative solutions and targeted exemptions for the smallest employers and critical positions in small jurisdictions.
Proponents countered that other states’ paid‑leave programs have extended protections to workers at small employers without widespread business closures. Labor representatives said the legislature must close the job‑protection gap for people who pay into the program. Several witnesses asked the committee to consider program solvency measures in parallel with expanded coverage.
The committee did not vote on the bill during the hearing. Staff noted the bill’s House passage figures during the readin and a high volume of pro and con sign‑ins: “208 pro, 1,132 con, and 3 other,” staff said while concluding testimony. Senators and stakeholders signaled further work would be required on solvency, small‑employer grants and narrow exemptions for critical positions before any committee action.
