Gov. Ferguson signs law letting state employees use shared leave for immigration proceedings and hate-crime victimization

Gov. Ferguson signed House Bill 2411 into law, expanding Washington’s shared leave program so state employees absent for immigration proceedings or who are victims of hate crimes can receive donated leave from colleagues.

The governor framed the bill as preventing workers from having to ‘‘choose between your job and your safety’’ in the face of detention or other immigration enforcement actions. He recounted a case in which a state employee and her son were detained and sent to Texas for weeks, saying the new law ensures employees in similar circumstances can keep receiving pay through donated leave.

Rep. Usman Salahuddin, the bill’s prime sponsor, described the personal stories that shaped the proposal and said his district, which he said is more than 43% immigrant, played a critical role in moving the bill. ‘‘Your coworkers can stand with you and the law will stand with you,’’ Salahuddin said, emphasizing the measure’s intent to keep public servants ‘‘whole’’ during crises.

The bill was signed in a brief ceremony with photos; implementation specifics such as eligibility review processes or administrative rules were not detailed in the remarks given at the event.

What happens next: Agencies that administer shared leave will need to update guidance and processes to reflect the expanded eligibility (not specified at the ceremony).