RCW 41.48.030 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 48 / Section 030
RCW 41.48.030: Agreement with the federal secretary of health and human services.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL ) ***

(1) The governor is hereby authorized to enter on behalf of the state into an agreement with the federal secretary of health and human services consistent with the terms and provisions of this chapter, for the purpose of extending the benefits of the federal old-age and survivors insurance system to employees of the state or any political subdivision not members of an existing retirement system, or to members of a retirement system established by the state or by a political subdivision thereof or by an institution of higher learning with respect to services specified in such agreement which constitute "employment" as defined in RCW 41.48.020 . Such agreement may contain such provisions relating to coverage, benefits, contributions, effective date, modification and termination of the agreement, administration, and other appropriate provisions as the governor and secretary of health and human services shall agree upon, but, except as may be otherwise required by or under the social security act as to the services to be covered, such agreement shall provide in effect that: (a) Benefits will be provided for employees whose services are covered by the agreement (and their dependents and survivors) on the same basis as though such services constituted employment within the meaning of Title II of the social security act; (b) The state will pay to the secretary of the treasury, at such time or times as may be prescribed under the social security act, contributions with respect to wages (as defined in RCW 41.48.020 ), equal to the sum of the taxes which would be imposed by the federal insurance contributions act if the services covered by the agreement constituted employment within the meaning of that act; (c) Such agreement shall be effective with respect to services in employment covered by the agreement or modification thereof performed after a date specified therein but in no event may it be effective with respect to any such services performed prior to the first day of the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which such agreement or modification of the agreement is accepted by the secretary of health and human services; (d) All services which constitute employment as defined in RCW 41.48.020 and are performed in the employ of the state by employees of the state, shall be covered by the agreement; (e) All services which (i) constitute employment as defined in RCW 41.48.020 , (ii) are performed in the employ of a political subdivision of the state, and (iii) are covered by a plan which is in conformity with the terms of the agreement and has been approved by the governor under RCW 41.48.050 , shall be covered by the agreement; (f) As modified, the agreement shall include all services described in either (d) or (e) of this subsection and performed by individuals to whom section 218(c)(3)(C) of the social security act is applicable, and shall provide that the service of any such individual shall continue to be covered by the agreement in case he or she thereafter becomes eligible to be a member of a retirement system; (g) As modified, the agreement shall include all services described in either (d) or (e) of this subsection and performed by individuals in positions covered by a retirement system with respect to which the governor has issued a certificate to the secretary of health and human services pursuant to subsection (5) of this section; and (h) Law enforcement officers and firefighters of each political subdivision of this state who are covered by the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system act, chapter 41.26 RCW, shall constitute a separate "coverage group" for purposes of the agreement entered into under this section and for purposes of section 218 of the social security act. (2) Any instrumentality jointly created by this state and any other state or states is hereby authorized, upon the granting of like authority by such other state or states, (a) to enter into an agreement with the secretary of health and human services whereby the benefits of the federal old-age and survivors insurance system shall be extended to employees of such instrumentality, (b) to require its employees to pay (and for that purpose to deduct from their wages) contributions equal to the amounts which they would be required to pay under RCW 41.48.040 (1) if they were covered by an agreement made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, and (c) to make payments to the secretary of the treasury in accordance with such agreement, including payments from its own funds, and otherwise to comply with such agreements. Such agreement shall, to the extent practicable, be consistent with the terms and provisions of subsection (1) of this section and other provisions of this chapter. (3) The governor is empowered to authorize a referendum, and to designate an agency or individual to supervise its conduct, in accordance with the requirements of section 218(d)(3) of the social security act, and subsection (4) of this section on the question of whether service in all positions covered by a retirement system established by the state or by a political subdivision thereof should be excluded from or included under an agreement under this chapter. If a retirement system covers positions of employees of the state of Washington, of the institutions of higher learning, and positions of employees of one or more of the political subdivisions of the state, then for the purpose of the referendum as provided in this section, there may be deemed to be a separate retirement system with respect to employees of the state, or any one or more of the political subdivisions, or institutions of higher learning and the governor shall authorize a referendum upon request of the subdivisions' or institutions' of higher learning governing body: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That if a referendum of state employees generally fails to produce a favorable majority vote then the governor may authorize a referendum covering positions of employees in any state department who are compensated in whole or in part from grants made to this state under Title III of the federal social security act: PROVIDED, That any city or town affiliated with the statewide city employees retirement system organized under chapter 41.44 RCW may at its option agree to a plan submitted by the board of trustees of that statewide city employees retirement system for inclusion under an agreement under this chapter if the referendum to be held as provided in this section indicates a favorable result: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the teachers' retirement system be considered one system for the purpose of the referendum except as applied to the several *colleges of education. The notice of referendum required by section 218(d)(3)(C) of the social security act to be given to employees shall contain or shall be accompanied by a statement, in such form and such detail as the agency or individual designated to supervise the referendum shall deem necessary and sufficient, to inform the employees of the rights which will accrue to them and their dependents and survivors, and the liabilities to which they will be subject, if their services are included under an agreement under this chapter. (4) The governor, before authorizing a referendum, shall require the following conditions to be met: (a) The referendum shall be by secret written ballot on the question of whether service in positions covered by such retirement system shall be excluded from or included under the agreement between the governor and the secretary of health and human services provided for in subsection (1) of this section; (b) An opportunity to vote in such referendum shall be given and shall be limited to eligible employees; (c) Not less than ninety days' notice of such referendum shall be given to all such employees; (d) Such referendum shall be conducted under the supervision of the governor or of an agency or individual designated by the governor; (e)(i) The proposal for coverage shall be approved only if a majority of the eligible employees vote in favor of including services in such positions under the agreement; (ii) Coverage obtained through a divided referendum process shall extend coverage to law enforcement officers, firefighters, and employees of political subdivisions of this state, who have membership in a qualified retirement system, allowing them to obtain medicare coverage only (HI-only). In such a divided referendum process, those members voting in favor of medicare coverage constitute a separate coverage group; (f) The state legislature, in the case of a referendum affecting the rights and liabilities of state employees covered under the state employees' retirement system and employees under the teachers' retirement system, and in all other cases the local legislative authority or governing body, shall have specifically approved the proposed plan and approved any necessary structural adjustment to the existing system to conform with the proposed plan; (g) In the case of a referendum authorized under section 218(d)(6) of the social security act and (e)(ii) of this subsection, the retirement system will be divided into two parts or divisions. One part or division of the retirement system shall be composed of positions of those members of the system who desire coverage under the agreement as permitted by this section. The remaining part or division of the retirement system shall be composed of positions of those members who do not desire coverage under such an agreement. Each part or division is a separate retirement system for the purposes of section 218(d) of the social security act. The positions of individuals who become members of the system after the coverage is extended shall be included in the part or division of the system composed of members desiring the coverage, with the exception of positions that are excluded in the agreement. (5) Upon receiving satisfactory evidence that with respect to any such referendum the conditions specified in subsection (4) of this section and section 218(d)(3) of the social security act have been met, the governor shall so certify to the secretary of health and human services. (6) If the legislative body of any political subdivision of this state certifies to the governor that a referendum has been held under the terms of RCW 41.48.050 (1)(i) and gives notice to the governor of termination of social security for any coverage group of the political subdivision, the governor shall give two years advance notice in writing to the federal department of health and human services of the termination of the agreement entered into under this section with respect to that coverage group.
RCW 41.28.920 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 28 / Section 920
RCW 41.28.920: Effective date—1939 c 207.
Status: in_force

The retirement system shall become effective on July 1, 1939, as provided in RCW 41.28.020 .
RCW 41.05.831 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 831
RCW 41.05.831: Coverage for hearing instruments.
Status: in_force

A health plan offered to public employees and their covered dependents under this chapter issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2024, is subject to RCW 48.43.135 .
RCW 41.05.165 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 165
RCW 41.05.165: Rules—Insurance benefit reimbursement.
Status: in_force

The authority shall adopt rules that provide for members of the legislature who choose reimbursement under RCW 44.04.230 in lieu of insurance benefits under this chapter.
RCW 41.32.055 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 055
RCW 41.32.055: Falsification—Penalty.
Status: in_force

(1) Any person who shall knowingly make false statements or shall falsify or permit to be falsified any record or records of the retirement system, except under subsection (2) of this section, in any attempt to defraud such system as a result of such act, is guilty of a class B felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW. (2) Any person who shall knowingly make false statements or shall falsify or permit to be falsified any record or records of the retirement systems related to a member's separation from service and qualification for a retirement allowance under RCW 41.32.480 in any attempt to defraud that system as a result of such an act, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
RCW 41.28.005 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 28 / Section 005
RCW 41.28.005: Establishment of retirement and pension systems authorized.
Status: in_force

Any city attaining the status of a first-class city after July 1, 1939, is empowered by this chapter to establish retirement and pension systems for superannuated or totally and permanently disabled officers and employees of cities of the first class.
RCW 41.04.240 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 240
RCW 41.04.240: Direct deposit of salaries into financial institutions—Alternate payment methods for employees of institutions of higher education—Conservation district exemption.
Status: in_force

(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 authorized upon written request of at least twenty-five employees to pay all or part of such salaries or wages to any financial institution for either: (a) Credit to the employees' accounts in such financial institution; or (b) immediate transfer therefrom to the employees' accounts in any other financial institutions. (2) In disbursing funds for payment of salaries and wages of employees, institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 are authorized to require the following payment methods: (a) For employees who have an account in a financial institution, payment to any financial institution for either: (i) Credit to the employees' accounts in such financial institution; or (ii) immediate transfer therefrom to the employees' accounts in any other financial institutions; and (b) For employees who do not have an account in a financial institution, payment by alternate methods such as payroll cards. (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing any employer to require the employees to have an account in any particular financial institution or type of financial institution. A single warrant may be drawn in favor of such financial institution, for the total amount due the employees involved, and written directions provided to such financial institution of the amount to be credited to the account of an employee or to be transferred to an account in another financial institution for such employee. The issuance and delivery by the disbursing officer of a warrant in accordance with the procedure set forth herein and proper indorsement thereof by the financial institution shall have the same legal effect as payment directly to the employee. (4) Conservation districts as established and authorized under chapter 89.08 RCW are exempt from the requirement to obtain a written request of twenty-five employees as required in subsection (1) of this section, and may disburse funds in payment of salaries and wages of employees consistent with this chapter and RCW 89.08.215 . (5) For the purposes of this section "financial institution" means any bank or trust company established in this state pursuant to chapter 2, Title 12, United States Code, or *Title 30 RCW, and any credit union established in this state pursuant to chapter 14, Title 12, United States Code, or chapter 31.12 RCW, and any mutual savings bank established in this state pursuant to Title 32 RCW, and any savings and loan association established in this state pursuant to chapter 12, Title 12, United States Code, or Title 33 RCW.
RCW 70.24.450 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 450
RCW 70.24.450: Confidentiality—Reports—Unauthorized disclosures.
Status: in_force

(1) In order to assure compliance with the protections under this chapter and the rules of the board, and to assure public confidence in the confidentiality of reported information, the department shall: (a) Report annually to the board any incidents of unauthorized disclosure by the department, local health departments, or their employees of information protected under RCW 70.02.220 . The report shall include recommendations for preventing future unauthorized disclosures and improving the system of confidentiality for reported information; and (b) Assist health care providers, facilities that conduct tests, local health departments, and other persons involved in disease reporting to understand, implement, and comply with this chapter and the rules of the board related to disease reporting. (2) This section is exempt from RCW 70.24.084 , 70.05.070 , and 70.05.120 .A municipality employing reserve officers may adopt appropriate legislation extending the relief provisions of this chapter to its reserve officers. The relief provisions of this chapter may not be extended to reserve officers if the municipality has extended industrial insurance coverage to its reserve officers under RCW 51.12.140 or 51.12.035 (2), or any other provision of law. A municipality that adopts appropriate legislation extending the relief provisions of this chapter to its reserve officers shall enjoy the same extent of immunity from civil actions for personal injuries to its reserve officers that arises if the reserve officers were covered under Title 51 RCW.
RCW 41.05.730 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 730
RCW 41.05.730: Ground emergency medical transportation services—Medicaid reimbursement—Calculation—Federal approval—Department's duties.
Status: in_force

(1) An eligible provider, as described in subsection (2) of this section, must, in addition to the rate of payment that the provider would otherwise receive for medicaid ground emergency medical transportation services, receive supplemental medicaid reimbursement to the extent provided by law. (2) A provider is eligible for supplemental reimbursement only if the provider has all of the following characteristics continuously during a state fiscal year: (a) Provides ground emergency medical transportation services to medicaid beneficiaries: (b) Is a provider that is enrolled as a medicaid provider for the period being claimed; (c) Is owned or operated by the state, a city, county, fire protection district, community services district, health care district, federally recognized Indian tribe or any unit of government as defined in 42 C.F.R. Sec. 433.50; (3) An eligible provider's supplemental reimbursement pursuant to this section must be calculated and paid as follows: (a) The supplemental reimbursement to an eligible provider, as described in subsection (2) of this section, must be equal to the amount of federal financial participation received as a result of the claims submitted pursuant to subsection (6)(b) of this section; (b) In no instance may the amount certified pursuant to subsection (5)(a) of this section, when combined with the amount received from all other sources of reimbursement from the medicaid program, exceed one hundred percent of actual costs, as determined pursuant to the medicaid state plan, for ground emergency medical transportation services; (c) The supplemental medicaid reimbursement provided by this section must be distributed exclusively to eligible providers under a payment methodology based on ground emergency medical transportation services provided to medicaid beneficiaries by eligible providers on a per-transport basis or other federally permissible basis. The authority shall obtain approval from the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services for the payment methodology to be utilized, and may not make any payment pursuant to this section prior to obtaining that approval. (4)(a) It is the legislature's intent in enacting this section to provide the supplemental reimbursement described in this section without any expenditure from the general fund. An eligible provider, as a condition of receiving supplemental reimbursement pursuant to this section, shall enter into, and maintain, an agreement with the authority for the purposes of implementing this section and reimbursing the department for the costs of administering this section. (b) The nonfederal share of the supplemental reimbursement submitted to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services for purposes of claiming federal financial participation shall be paid only with funds from the governmental entities described in subsection (2)(c) of this section and certified to the state as provided in subsection (5) of this section. (5) Participation in the program by an eligible provider described in this section is voluntary. If an applicable governmental entity elects to seek supplemental reimbursement pursuant to this section on behalf of an eligible provider owned or operated by the entity, as described in subsection (2)(c) of this section, the governmental entity shall do all of the following: (a) Certify, in conformity with the requirements of 42 C.F.R. Sec. 433.51, that the claimed expenditures for the ground emergency medical transportation services are eligible for federal financial participation; (b) Provide evidence supporting the certification as specified by the department; (c) Submit data as specified by the department to determine the appropriate amounts to claim as expenditures qualifying for federal financial participation; (d) Keep, maintain, and have readily retrievable, any records specified by the department to fully disclose reimbursement amounts to which the eligible provider is entitled, and any other records required by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services. (6) The department shall promptly seek any necessary federal approvals for the implementation of this section. The department may limit the program to those costs that are allowable expenditures under Title XIX of the federal social security act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.). If federal approval is not obtained for implementation of this section, this section may not be implemented. (a) The department shall submit claims for federal financial participation for the expenditures for the services described in subsection (5) of this section that are allowable expenditures under federal law. (b) The department shall, on an annual basis, submit any necessary materials to the federal government to provide assurances that claims for federal financial participation will include only those expenditures that are allowable under federal law. (7) If either a final judicial determination is made by any court of appellate jurisdiction or a final determination is made by the administrator of the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services that the supplemental reimbursement provided for in this section must be made to any provider not described in this section, the director shall execute a declaration stating that the determination has been made and on that date this section becomes inoperative.
RCW 41.40.815 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 815
RCW 41.40.815: Lump sum payments—Reentry.
Status: in_force

(1) The director may pay a member eligible to receive a retirement allowance or the member's beneficiary a lump sum payment in lieu of a monthly benefit if the initial monthly benefit would be less than one hundred dollars. The one hundred dollar limit shall be increased annually as determined by the director. The lump sum payment shall be the actuarial equivalent of the monthly benefit. (2) Persons covered under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section may upon returning to member status reinstate all previous service by depositing the lump sum payment received, with interest as computed by the director, within two years of returning to service or prior to retiring again, whichever comes first. In computing the amount due, the director shall exclude the accumulated value of the normal payments the member would have received while in beneficiary status if the lump sum payment had not occurred. (3) Any member who receives a settlement under this section is deemed to be retired from this system.
RCW 41.18.010 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 010
RCW 41.18.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this chapter, unless clearly indicated otherwise by the context, words and phrases shall have the meaning hereinafter ascribed. (1) "Basic salary" means the basic monthly salary, including longevity pay, attached to the rank held by the retired firefighter at the date of his or her retirement, without regard to extra compensation which such firefighter may have received for special duties assignments not acquired through civil service examination: PROVIDED, That such basic salary shall not be deemed to exceed the salary of a battalion chief. (2) "Beneficiary" shall mean any person or persons designated by a firefighter in a writing filed with the board, and who shall be entitled to receive any benefits of a deceased firefighter under this chapter. (3) "Board" shall mean the municipal firefighters' pension board. (4) "Child" or "children" means a firefighter's child or children under the age of eighteen years, unmarried, and in the legal custody of such firefighter at the time of his death or her death. (5) "Contributions" shall mean and include all sums deducted from the salary of firefighters and paid into the fund as hereinafter provided. (6) "Disability" shall mean and include injuries or sickness sustained by a firefighter. (7) "Earned interest" means and includes all annual increments to the firefighters' pension fund from income earned by investment of the fund. The earned interest payable to any firefighter when he or she leaves the service and accepts his or her contributions, shall be that portion of the total earned income of the fund which is directly attributable to each individual firefighter's contributions. Earnings of the fund for the preceding year attributable to individual contributions shall be allocated to individual firefighters' accounts as of January 1st of each year. (8) "Fire department" shall mean the regularly organized, full time, paid, and employed force of firefighters of the municipality. (9) "Firefighter" means any person hereafter regularly or temporarily, or as a substitute newly employed and paid as a member of a fire department, who has passed a civil service examination for firefighters and who is actively employed as a firefighter or, if provided by the municipality by appropriate local legislation, as a fire dispatcher: PROVIDED, Nothing in chapter 209, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. shall impair or permit the impairment of any vested pension rights of persons who are employed as fire dispatchers at the time chapter 209, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. takes effect; and any person heretofore regularly or temporarily, or as a substitute, employed and paid as a member of a fire department, and who has contributed under and been covered by the provisions of chapter 41.16 RCW as now or hereafter amended and who has come under the provisions of this chapter in accordance with RCW 41.18.170 and who is actively engaged as a firefighter or as a member of the fire department as a firefighter or fire dispatcher. (10) "Fund" shall have the same meaning as in RCW 41.16.010 as now or hereafter amended. Such fund shall be created in the manner and be subject to the provisions specified in chapter 41.16 RCW as now or hereafter amended. (11) "Municipality" shall mean every city, town, fire protection district, or regional fire protection service authority having a regularly organized full time, paid, fire department employing firefighters. (12) "Performance of duty" shall mean the performance of work or labor regularly required of firefighters and shall include services of an emergency nature normally rendered while off regular duty. (13) "Retired firefighter" means and includes a person employed as a firefighter and retired under the provisions of this chapter. (14) "Widow or widower" means the surviving spouse of a firefighter and shall include the surviving wife, husband, or state registered domestic partner of a firefighter, retired on account of length of service, who was lawfully married to, or in a state registered domestic partnership with, him or to her for a period of five years prior to the time of his or her retirement; and the surviving wife, husband, or state registered domestic partner of a firefighter, retired on account of disability, who was lawfully married to, or in a state registered domestic partnership with, him or her at and prior to the time he or she sustained the injury or contracted the illness resulting in his or her disability. The word shall not mean the divorced wife or husband or former state registered domestic partner of an active or retired firefighter.
RCW 41.05.021 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 021
RCW 41.05.021: State health care authority—Director—Cost control and delivery strategies—Health information technology—Managed competition—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1) The Washington state health care authority is created within the executive branch. The authority shall have a director appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate. The director shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The director may employ a deputy director, and such assistant directors and special assistants as may be needed to administer the authority, who shall be exempt from chapter 41.06 RCW, and any additional staff members as are necessary to administer this chapter. The director may delegate any power or duty vested in him or her by law, including authority to make final decisions and enter final orders in hearings conducted under chapter 34.05 RCW. The primary duties of the authority shall be to: Administer insurance benefits for employees, retired or disabled state and school employees, and school employees; administer the basic health plan pursuant to chapter 70.47 RCW; administer the children's health program pursuant to chapter 74.09 RCW; study state purchased health care programs in order to maximize cost containment in these programs while ensuring access to quality health care; implement state initiatives, joint purchasing strategies, and techniques for efficient administration that have potential application to all state-purchased health services; and administer grants that further the mission and goals of the authority. The authority's duties include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) To administer health care benefit programs for employees, retired or disabled state and school employees, and school employees as specifically authorized in RCW 41.05.065 and 41.05.740 and in accordance with the methods described in RCW 41.05.075 , 41.05.140 , and other provisions of this chapter; (b) To analyze state purchased health care programs and to explore options for cost containment and delivery alternatives for those programs that are consistent with the purposes of those programs, including, but not limited to: (i) Creation of economic incentives for the persons for whom the state purchases health care to appropriately utilize and purchase health care services, including the development of flexible benefit plans to offset increases in individual financial responsibility; (ii) Utilization of provider arrangements that encourage cost containment, including but not limited to prepaid delivery systems, utilization review, and prospective payment methods, and that ensure access to quality care, including assuring reasonable access to local providers, especially for employees and school employees residing in rural areas; (iii) Coordination of state agency efforts to purchase drugs effectively as provided in RCW 70.14.050 ; (iv) Development of recommendations and methods for purchasing medical equipment and supporting services on a volume discount basis; (v) Development of data systems to obtain utilization data from state purchased health care programs in order to identify cost centers, utilization patterns, provider and hospital practice patterns, and procedure costs, utilizing the information obtained pursuant to RCW 41.05.031 ; and (vi) In collaboration with other state agencies that administer state purchased health care programs, private health care purchasers, health care facilities, providers, and carriers: (A) Use evidence-based medicine principles to develop common performance measures and implement financial incentives in contracts with insuring entities, health care facilities, and providers that: (I) Reward improvements in health outcomes for individuals with chronic diseases, increased utilization of appropriate preventive health services, and reductions in medical errors; and (II) Increase, through appropriate incentives to insuring entities, health care facilities, and providers, the adoption and use of information technology that contributes to improved health outcomes, better coordination of care, and decreased medical errors; (B) Through state health purchasing, reimbursement, or pilot strategies, promote and increase the adoption of health information technology systems, including electronic medical records, by hospitals as defined in RCW 70.41.020 , integrated delivery systems, and providers that: (I) Facilitate diagnosis or treatment; (II) Reduce unnecessary duplication of medical tests; (III) Promote efficient electronic physician order entry; (IV) Increase access to health information for consumers and their providers; and (V) Improve health outcomes; (C) Coordinate a strategy for the adoption of health information technology systems; (c) To analyze areas of public and private health care interaction; (d) To provide information and technical and administrative assistance to the board; (e) To review and approve or deny applications from counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions of the state to provide state-sponsored insurance or self-insurance programs to their employees in accordance with the provisions of RCW 41.04.205 and (g) of this subsection, setting the premium contribution for approved groups as outlined in RCW 41.05.050 ; (f) To review and approve or deny the application when the governing body of a tribal government or tribal school applies to transfer their employees to an insurance or self-insurance program administered by the public employees' benefits board or by the school employees' benefits board. In the event of an employee transfer pursuant to this subsection (1)(f), members of the governing body are eligible to be included in such a transfer if the members are authorized by the tribal government or tribal school to participate in the insurance program being transferred from and subject to payment by the members of all costs of insurance for the members. The authority shall: (i) Establish the conditions for participation; (ii) have the sole right to reject the application; and (iii) set the premium contribution for approved groups as outlined in RCW 41.05.050 . Approval of the application by the authority transfers the employees and dependents involved to the insurance, self-insurance, or health care program administered by the public employees' benefits board or the school employees' benefits board; (g) To ensure the continued status of the employee insurance or self-insurance programs administered under this chapter as a governmental plan under section 3(32) of the employee retirement income security act of 1974, as amended, the authority shall limit the participation of employer groups, including providing for the participation of those employees whose services are substantially all in the performance of essential governmental functions, but not in the performance of commercial activities. Charter schools established under chapter 28A.710 RCW are employers and are school employees' benefits board organizations unless: (i) The authority receives guidance from the internal revenue service or the United States department of labor that participation jeopardizes the status of plans offered under this chapter as governmental plans under the federal employees' retirement income security act or the internal revenue code; or (ii) The charter schools are not in compliance with regulations issued by the internal revenue service and the United States treasury department pertaining to section 414(d) of the federal internal revenue code; (h) To establish billing procedures and collect funds from school employees' benefits board organizations in a way that minimizes the administrative burden on districts; (i) Through December 31, 2019, to publish and distribute to nonparticipating school districts and educational service districts by October 1st of each year a description of health care benefit plans available through the authority and the estimated cost if school districts and educational service district employees were enrolled; (j) To apply for, receive, and accept grants, gifts, and other payments, including property and service, from any governmental or other public or private entity or person, and make arrangements as to the use of these receipts to implement initiatives and strategies developed under this section; (k) To issue, distribute, and administer grants that further the mission and goals of the authority; (l) To adopt rules consistent with this chapter as described in RCW 41.05.160 including, but not limited to: (i) Setting forth the criteria established by the public employees' benefits board under RCW 41.05.065 , and by the school employees' benefits board under RCW 41.05.740 , for determining whether a public employee is eligible for benefits; (ii) Establishing an appeal process in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW by which a public employee may appeal an eligibility determination; (iii) Establishing a process to assure that the eligibility determinations of an employing agency comply with the criteria under this chapter, including the imposition of penalties as may be authorized by the board; (m)(i) To administer the medical services programs established under chapter 74.09 RCW as the designated single state agency for purposes of Title XIX of the federal social security act; (ii) To administer the state children's health insurance program under chapter 74.09 RCW for purposes of Title XXI of the federal social security act; (iii) To enter into agreements with the department of social and health services for administration of medical care services programs under Titles XIX and XXI of the social security act and programs under chapters 71.05 , 71.24, and 71.34 RCW. The agreements shall establish the division of responsibilities between the authority and the department with respect to mental health, substance use disorders, and long-term care services, including services for persons with developmental disabilities. The agreements shall be revised as necessary, to comply with the final implementation plan adopted under section 116, chapter 15, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess.; (iv) To adopt rules to carry out the purposes of chapter 74.09 RCW; (v) To appoint such advisory committees or councils as may be required by any federal statute or regulation as a condition to the receipt of federal funds by the authority. The director may appoint statewide committees or councils in the following subject areas: (A) Health facilities; (B) children and youth services; (C) blind services; (D) medical and health care; (E) drug abuse and alcoholism; (F) rehabilitative services; and (G) such other subject matters as are or come within the authority's responsibilities. The statewide councils shall have representation from both major political parties and shall have substantial consumer representation. Such committees or councils shall be constituted as required by federal law or as the director in his or her discretion may determine. The members of the committees or councils shall hold office for three years except in the case of a vacancy, in which event appointment shall be only for the remainder of the unexpired term for which the vacancy occurs. No member shall serve more than two consecutive terms. Members of such state advisory committees or councils may be paid their travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now existing or hereafter amended; (n) To review and approve or deny the application from the governing board of the Washington health benefit exchange to provide public employees' benefits board state-sponsored insurance or self-insurance programs to employees of the exchange. The authority shall (i) establish the conditions for participation; (ii) have the sole right to reject an application; and (iii) set the premium contribution for approved groups as outlined in RCW 41.05.050 . (2) The public employees' benefits board and the school employees' benefits board may implement strategies to promote managed competition among employee and school employee health benefit plans. Strategies may include but are not limited to: (a) Standardizing the benefit package; (b) Soliciting competitive bids for the benefit package; (c) Limiting the state's contribution to a percent of the lowest priced qualified plan within a geographical area; (d) Monitoring the impact of the approach under this subsection with regards to: Efficiencies in health service delivery, cost shifts to subscribers, access to and choice of managed care plans statewide, and quality of health services. The health care authority shall also advise on the value of administering a benchmark employer-managed plan to promote competition among managed care plans.
RCW 41.05.042 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 042
RCW 41.05.042: Health information—Processes, guidelines, and standards.
Status: in_force

By December 1, 2011, the lead organization shall, consistent with the federal health insurance portability and accountability act, develop processes, guidelines, and standards that address: (1) Identification and prioritization of high value health data from health data providers. High value health data include: (a) Prescriptions; (b) Immunization records; (c) Laboratory results; (d) Allergies; and (e) Diagnostic imaging; (2) Processes to request, submit, and receive data; (3) Data security, including: (a) Storage, access, encryption, and password protection; (b) Secure methods for accepting and responding to requests for data; (c) Handling unauthorized access to or disclosure of individually identifiable patient health information, including penalties for unauthorized disclosure; and (d) Authentication of individuals, including patients and providers, when requesting access to health information, and maintenance of a permanent audit trail of such requests, including: (i) Identification of the party making the request; (ii) The data elements reported; and (iii) Transaction dates; (4) Materials written in plain language that explain the exchange of health information and how patients can effectively manage such information, including the use of online tools for that purpose; (5) Materials for health care providers that explain the exchange of health information and the secure management of such information.
RCW 41.14.280 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 280
RCW 41.14.280: City contracts to obtain sheriff's office law enforcement services—Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

In addition to its other duties prescribed by law, the civil service commission shall make such rules and regulations as may be necessary to provide for the orderly integration of employees of a city or town who shall transfer to the county sheriff's office pursuant to RCW 41.14.250 , 41.14.260 , and 41.14.270 .
RCW 41.28.150 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 28 / Section 150
RCW 41.28.150: Disability retirement allowances—Grounds for denial.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon retirement for disability, as hereinabove provided: PROVIDED, The disability is not due to intemperance, willful misconduct or violation of law, of which the board shall be the judge, a member shall receive a retirement allowance which shall consist of: (a) An annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his or her accumulated contributions at the time of his or her retirement. (b) A pension purchased by the contributions of the city, which, together with his or her annuity provided by his or her accumulated normal contributions, shall make the retirement allowance, exclusive of the annuity provided by his or her additional contributions equal to (i) one and one-fourth percent of his or her final compensation multiplied by the number of years of service which would be creditable to him or her were his or her services to continue until attainment by him or her of age sixty-two. The minimum disability retirement allowance shall be nine hundred sixty dollars per year. (2) If disability is due to intemperance, willful misconduct or violation of law on the part of the member, the board of administration in its discretion may pay to said member in one lump sum, his or her accumulated contributions, in lieu of a retirement allowance, and such payment shall constitute full satisfaction of all obligations of the city to such member, and upon receipt of such payment he or she shall cease to be a member of the retirement system. (3) Upon the death of a member while in receipt of a disability retirement allowance, his or her accumulated contributions, as they were at the date of his or her retirement, less any annuity payments made to him or her, shall be paid to his or her estate, or to such persons having an insurable interest in his or her life as he or she shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the board.
RCW 41.04.055 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 055
RCW 41.04.055: Public service loan forgiveness program—Part-time academic employees.
Status: in_force

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 in-class teaching hours must be included. To calculate this, each hour of in-class teaching time must be multiplied by at least 3.35 hours. This section shall not supersede any calculation or adjustment established by a collective bargaining agreement or employer policy for additional work done outside of in-class teaching for any purposes other than certifying employment for the public service loan forgiveness program. An institution of higher education shall not treat any adjusted total hours worked differently from hours worked without an adjustment when determining whether an employee is full time. "Institution of higher education" has the same meaning as "institutions of higher education" in RCW 28B.10.016 .
RCW 41.50.055 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 055
RCW 41.50.055: Director of retirement systems to administer Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system—Duties.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL ) ***

The administration of the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system is hereby vested in the director of retirement systems, and the director shall: (1) Keep in convenient form such data as shall be deemed necessary for actuarial evaluation purposes; (2) As of March 1, 1970, and at least every two years thereafter, through the state actuary, make an actuarial valuation as to the mortality and service experience of the beneficiaries under this chapter and the various accounts created for the purpose of showing the financial status of the retirement fund; (3) Adopt for the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system the mortality tables and such other tables as shall be deemed necessary; (4) Keep a record of all its proceedings, which shall be open to inspection by the public; (5) From time to time adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with chapter 41.26 RCW, for the administration of the provisions of this chapter, for the administration of the fund created by this chapter and the several accounts thereof, and for the transaction of the business of the system; (6) Prepare and publish annually a financial statement showing the condition of the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' fund and the various accounts thereof, and setting forth such other facts, recommendations and data as may be of use in the advancement of knowledge concerning the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system, and furnish a copy thereof to each employer, and to such members as may request copies thereof; (7) Perform such other functions as are required for the execution of the provisions of chapter 41.26 RCW; (8) Fix the amount of interest to be credited at a rate which shall be based upon the net annual earnings of the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' fund for the preceding twelve-month period and from time to time make any necessary changes in such rate; (9) Pay from the department of retirement systems expense fund the expenses incurred in administration of the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system from those funds appropriated for that purpose; (10) Perform any other duties prescribed elsewhere in chapter 41.26 RCW; (11) Issue decisions relating to appeals initiated pursuant to RCW 41.16.145 and 41.18.104 as now or hereafter amended and shall be authorized to order increased benefits pursuant to RCW 41.16.145 and 41.18.104 as now or hereafter amended.
RCW 41.06.560 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 560
RCW 41.06.560: Monetary performance-based awards or incentives—Restrictions.
Status: in_force

From February 15, 2010, until June 30, 2013, no monetary performance-based awards or incentives may be granted by the director or employers to employees covered by rules adopted under this section. This section does not prohibit the payment of awards provided for in chapter 41.60 RCW. For institutions of higher education, this section does not prohibit the payment of specific cash awards from private donations from individuals or businesses including, but not limited to, endowments. From July 1, 2011, until June 30, 2013, no performance-based awards or incentives may be granted by the director or employers to employees pursuant to a performance management confirmation granted by the department of personnel under WAC 357-37-055.
RCW 41.18.150 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 150
RCW 41.18.150: Credit for military service.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5420.SL ) ***

Every person who was a member of the fire department at the time he or she entered and served in the armed forces of the United States in time of war, whether as a draftee, or inductee, and who shall have been discharged from such armed forces under conditions other than dishonorable, shall have added and accredited to his or her period of employment as a firefighter his or her period of war or peacetime service in the armed forces: PROVIDED, That such added and accredited service shall not as to any individual exceed five years.
RCW 41.26.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 040
RCW 41.26.040: System created—Membership—Funds.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL ) ***

The Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system is hereby created for firefighters and law enforcement officers. (1) Notwithstanding *RCW 41.26.030 (20), all firefighters and law enforcement officers employed as such on or after March 1, 1970, on a full time fully compensated basis in this state shall be members of the retirement system established by this chapter with respect to all periods of service as such, to the exclusion of any pension system existing under any prior act. (2) Any employee serving as a law enforcement officer or firefighter on March 1, 1970, who is then making retirement contributions under any prior act shall have his or her membership transferred to the system established by this chapter as of such date. Upon retirement for service or for disability, or death, of any such employee, his or her retirement benefits earned under this chapter shall be computed and paid. In addition, his or her benefits under the prior retirement act to which he or she was making contributions at the time of this transfer shall be computed as if he or she had not transferred. For the purpose of such computations, the employee's creditability of service and eligibility for service or disability retirement and survivor and all other benefits shall continue to be as provided in such prior retirement act, as if transfer of membership had not occurred. The excess, if any, of the benefits so computed, giving full value to survivor benefits, over the benefits payable under this chapter shall be paid whether or not the employee has made application under the prior act. If the employee's prior retirement system was the Washington public employees' retirement system, payment of such excess shall be made by that system; if the employee's prior retirement system was the statewide city employees' retirement system, payment of such excess shall be made by the employer which was the member's employer when his or her transfer of membership occurred: PROVIDED, That any death in line of duty lump sum benefit payment shall continue to be the obligation of that system as provided in RCW 41.44.210 ; in the case of all other prior retirement systems, payment of such excess shall be made by the employer which was the member's employer when his or her transfer of membership occurred. (3) All funds held by any firefighters' or police officers' relief and pension fund shall remain in that fund for the purpose of paying the obligations of the fund. The municipality shall continue to levy the dollar rate as provided in RCW 41.16.060 , and this dollar rate shall be used for the purpose of paying the benefits provided in chapters 41.16 and 41.18 RCW. The obligations of chapter 41.20 RCW shall continue to be paid from whatever financial sources the city has been using for this purpose.
RCW 41.26.906 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 906
RCW 41.26.906: Effective date—2003 c 92.
Status: in_force

This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 23, 2003].
RCW 41.44.270 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 270
RCW 41.44.270: Agreements between board and cities which accept social security act benefits.
Status: in_force

Should any member city of the statewide city employees retirement system established pursuant to this chapter, hereafter take advantage of any benefits lawfully available to its employees and their survivors under the old age and survivors insurance system embodied in the social security act, or should any city which has lawfully taken advantage of such benefits desire to become a member of the statewide city employees retirement system, such city and the board shall have the power to enter into an agreement mutually satisfactory to both parties adjusting the contributions to be made by such city and by its employees and the benefits to be paid by the statewide city employees retirement system, in such a manner to permit the participation of such city in the system as a member with reduced benefits to its employees and reduced contributions by the city and by its employees: PROVIDED, That such adjustment shall be made upon an actuarially sound basis and that as to all matters, other than those changed by such agreement, the provisions of the statewide city employees retirement system law shall apply: PROVIDED FURTHER, That unless such an agreement is entered into by mutual consent of such city and the board, all of the provisions of the statewide city employees retirement system law shall be applicable.
RCW 41.56.913 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 913
RCW 41.56.913: Conflict with federal requirements—2006 c 54.
Status: in_force

If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.
RCW 41.50.033 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 033
RCW 41.50.033: Crediting interest to retirement system accounts.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL ) ***

(1) The director shall determine when interest, if provided by a plan, shall be credited to accounts in the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, the public safety employees' retirement system, the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system, or the Washington state patrol retirement system. The amounts to be credited and the methods of doing so shall be at the director's discretion, except that if interest is credited, it shall be done at least quarterly. (2) Interest as determined by the director under this section is "regular interest" as defined in RCW 41.40.010 , 41.32.010 , 41.35.010 , 41.37.010 , 41.26.030 , and 43.43.120 . (3) The legislature affirms that the authority of the director under RCW 41.40.020 and 41.50.030 includes the authority and responsibility to establish the amount and all conditions for regular interest, if any. The legislature intends chapter 493, Laws of 2007 to be curative, remedial, and retrospectively applicable.
RCW 41.59.180 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 59 / Section 180
RCW 41.59.180: Employees in specialized job category—Exclusion.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the definition of "employee" in RCW 41.59.020 , the commission may exclude from the coverage of chapter 288, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. any specialized job category of an employer where a majority of the persons employed in that job category consists of classified employees. At such time as a majority of such employees are certificated, the job category may be considered an appropriate unit under chapter 288, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess.
RCW 41.06.220 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 220
RCW 41.06.220: Reinstatement after appeal, guaranteed rights and benefits.
Status: in_force

Any employee, when fully reinstated after appeal, shall be guaranteed all employee rights and benefits, including back pay, sick leave, vacation accrual, retirement and OASDI credits.
RCW 41.50.085 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 085
RCW 41.50.085: Investments in accordance with established standards.
Status: in_force

Any investments under RCW 43.84.150 by the state investment board shall be made in accordance with the standards established in RCW 43.33A.140 .
RCW 41.24.155 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 155
RCW 41.24.155: Vocational rehabilitation—Purpose—Costs—Administration—Discretion of state board.
Status: in_force

(1) One of the primary purposes of this section is to enable injured participants to return to their regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit. To this end, the state board shall utilize the services of individuals and organizations, public or private, whose experience, training, and interests in vocational rehabilitation and retraining qualify them to lend expert assistance to the state board in such programs of vocational rehabilitation as may be reasonable to make the participant return to his or her regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit consistent with his or her physical and mental status. After evaluation and recommendation by such individuals or organizations and prior to final evaluation of the participant's permanent disability, if in the sole opinion of the state board, whether or not medical treatment has been concluded, vocational rehabilitation is both necessary and likely to enable the injured participant to return to his or her regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit, the state board may, in its sole discretion, pay the cost as provided in subsection (3) or (4) of this section. (2) When, in the sole discretion of the state board, vocational rehabilitation is both necessary and likely to make the participant return to his or her regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit, then the following order of priorities shall be used: (a) Return to the previous job with the same employer; (b) Modification of the previous job with the same employer including transitional return to work; (c) A new job with the same employer in keeping with any limitations or restrictions; (d) Modification of a new job with the same employer including transitional return to work; (e) Modification of the previous job with a new employer; (f) A new job with a new employer or self-employment based upon transferable skills; (g) Modification of a new job with a new employer; (h) A new job with a new employer or self-employment involving on-the-job training; (i) Short-term retraining and job placement. (3)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, costs for vocational rehabilitation benefits allowed by the state board under subsection (1) of this section may include the cost of books, tuition, fees, supplies, equipment, transportation, child or dependent care, and other necessary expenses in an amount not to exceed four thousand dollars. This amount must be used within fifty-two weeks of the determination that vocational rehabilitation is permitted under this section. (b) The expenses allowed under (a) of this subsection may include training fees for on-the-job training and the cost of furnishing tools and other equipment necessary for self-employment or reemployment. However, compensation or payment of retraining with job placement expenses under (a) of this subsection may not be authorized for a period of more than fifty-two weeks, except that such period may, in the sole discretion of the state board, after its review, be extended for an additional fifty-two weeks or portion thereof by written order of the state board. However, under no circumstances shall the total amount of benefit paid under this section exceed four thousand dollars. (4) In addition to the vocational rehabilitation expenditures provided for under subsection (3) of this section, an additional five thousand dollars may, upon authorization of the state board, be expended for: (a) Accommodations for an injured participant that are medically necessary for participation in an approved retraining plan; and (b) accommodations necessary to perform the essential functions of an occupation in which an injured participant is seeking employment, consistent with the retraining plan or the recommendations of a vocational evaluation. The injured participant's attending physician or licensed *advanced registered nurse practitioner must verify the necessity of the modifications or accommodations. The total expenditures authorized in this subsection shall not exceed five thousand dollars. (5) The state board shall follow the established criteria set forth by the department of labor and industries to monitor the quality and effectiveness of rehabilitation services provided by the individuals and organizations used under subsection (1) of this section. The state board shall make referrals for vocational rehabilitation services based on these performance criteria. (6) The state board may engage, where feasible and cost-effective, in a cooperative program with the state employment security department to provide job placement services under this section. (7) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the vocational benefits provided for in this section are available to participants who have claims currently pending as of April 17, 2007, or whose injury occurred on or after January 1, 2006.
RCW 41.35.470 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 470
RCW 41.35.470: Leaves of absence, military service.
Status: in_force

(1) A member who is on a paid leave of absence authorized by a member's employer shall continue to receive service credit as provided for under the provisions of RCW 41.35.400 through 41.35.599 . (2) A member who receives compensation from an employer while on an authorized leave of absence to serve as an elected official of a labor organization, and whose employer is reimbursed by the labor organization for the compensation paid to the member during the period of absence, may also be considered to be on a paid leave of absence. This subsection shall only apply if the member's leave of absence is authorized by a collective bargaining agreement that provides that the member retains seniority rights with the employer during the period of leave. The compensation earnable reported for a member who establishes service credit under this subsection may not be greater than the salary paid to the highest paid job class covered by the collective bargaining agreement. (3) Except as specified in subsection (4) of this section, a member shall be eligible to receive a maximum of two years service credit during a member's entire working career for those periods when a member is on an unpaid leave of absence authorized by an employer. Such credit may be obtained only if: (a) The member makes both the plan 2 employer and member contributions plus interest as determined by the department for the period of the authorized leave of absence within five years of resumption of service or prior to retirement whichever comes sooner; or (b) If not within five years of resumption of service but prior to retirement, pay the amount required under RCW 41.50.165 (2). The contributions required under (a) of this subsection shall be based on the average of the member's compensation earnable at both the time the authorized leave of absence was granted and the time the member resumed employment. (4) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States shall be entitled to retirement system service credit for up to five years of military service. This subsection shall be administered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the federal uniformed services employment and reemployment rights act. (a) The member qualifies for service credit under this subsection if: (i) Within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge from the uniformed services of the United States, the member applies for reemployment with the employer who employed the member immediately prior to the member entering the uniformed services; and (ii) The member makes the employee contributions required under RCW 41.35.430 within five years of resumption of service or prior to retirement, whichever comes sooner; or (iii) Prior to retirement and not within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge or five years of resumption of service the member pays the amount required under RCW 41.50.165 (2); or (iv) Prior to retirement the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service credit during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection. (b) Upon receipt of member contributions under (a)(ii), (d)(iii), or (e)(iii) of this subsection, or adequate proof under (a)(iv), (d)(iv), or (e)(iv) of this subsection, the department shall establish the member's service credit and shall bill the employer for its contribution required under RCW 41.35.430 for the period of military service, plus interest as determined by the department. (c) The contributions required under (a)(ii), (d)(iii), or (e)(iii) of this subsection shall be based on the compensation the member would have earned if not on leave, or if that cannot be estimated with reasonable certainty, the compensation reported for the member in the year prior to when the member went on military leave. (d) The surviving spouse or eligible child or children of a member who left the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and died while serving in the uniformed services may, on behalf of the deceased member, apply for retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of the member's death in the uniformed services. The department shall establish the deceased member's service credit if the surviving spouse or eligible child or children: (i) Provides to the director proof of the member's death while serving in the uniformed services; (ii) Provides to the director proof of the member's honorable service in the uniformed services prior to the date of death; and (iii) Pays the employee contributions required under chapter 41.45 RCW within five years of the date of death or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or (iv) Prior to the distribution of any benefit, provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . If the deceased member made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 , the surviving spouse or eligible child or children may, prior to the distribution of any benefit and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to the deceased member's credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to the surviving spouse or children. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection. (e) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer while serving in the uniformed services is entitled to retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of discharge from the uniformed services if: (i) The member obtains a determination from the director that he or she is totally incapacitated for continued employment due to conditions or events that occurred while serving in the uniformed services; (ii) The member provides to the director proof of honorable discharge from the uniformed services; and (iii) The member pays the employee contributions required under chapter 41.45 RCW within five years of the director's determination of total disability or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or (iv) Prior to retirement the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service credit during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection.
RCW 41.04.033 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 033
RCW 41.04.033: Operation of the Washington state combined fund drive—Secretary of state—Rules.
Status: in_force

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.
RCW 41.76.005 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 76 / Section 005
RCW 41.76.005: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Faculty governance system" means the internal organization that serves as the faculty advisory body and is charged with the responsibility for recommending policies, regulations, and rules for the college or university. (2) "Grievance arbitration" means a method to resolve disputes arising out of interpretations or application of the terms of an agreement under which the parties to a controversy must accept the decision of an impartial person or persons. (3) "Collective bargaining" and "bargaining" mean the performance of the mutual obligation of the representatives of the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative to meet at reasonable times to bargain in good faith in an effort to reach agreement with respect to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. A written contract incorporating any agreements reached must be executed if requested by either party. The obligation to bargain does not compel either party to agree to a proposal or to make a concession. In the event of a dispute between an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative over the matters that are terms and conditions of employment, the commission shall decide which items are mandatory subjects for bargaining, subject to RCW 41.76.010 . (4) "Commission" means the public employment relations commission established pursuant to RCW 41.58.010 . (5) "Faculty" means employees who, at a public four-year institution of higher education, are designated with faculty status or who perform faculty duties as defined through policies established by the faculty governance system, excluding casual or temporary employees, administrators, confidential employees, graduate student employees, postdoctoral and clinical employees, and employees subject to chapter 41.06 or 41.56 RCW. (6) "Employee organization" means any organization that includes as its members faculty of the employer and that has as one of its purposes representation of faculty under this chapter. A faculty governance system is not an employee organization as defined in this subsection. (7) "Employer" means the board of regents or the board of trustees of a public four-year institution of higher education. (8) "Exclusive bargaining representative" means any employee organization that has been determined by the commission to represent all of the faculty members of the bargaining unit as required in RCW 41.76.015 . (9) "Administrator" means deans, associate and assistant deans, vice provosts, vice presidents, the provost, chancellors, vice chancellors, the president, and faculty members who exercise managerial or supervisory authority over other faculty members. (10) "Confidential employee" means (a) a person who participates directly on behalf of an employer in the formulation of labor relations policy, the preparation for or conduct of collective bargaining, or the administration of a collective bargaining agreement, if the role of the person is not merely routine or clerical in nature but calls for the consistent exercise of independent judgment; and (b) a person who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to a person in (a) of this subsection. (11) "Bargaining unit" includes all faculty members of all campuses of each of the colleges and universities. Only one bargaining unit is allowable for faculty of each employer, and that unit must contain all faculty members from all schools, colleges, and campuses of the employer. (12) "Public four-year institutions of higher education" means the University of Washington, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, Central Washington University, and The Evergreen State College.
RCW 41.40.805 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 805
RCW 41.40.805: Leaves of absence—Military service.
Status: in_force

(1) A member who is on a paid leave of absence authorized by a member's employer shall continue to receive service credit. (2) A member who receives compensation from an employer while on an authorized leave of absence to serve as an elected official of a labor organization, and whose employer is reimbursed by the labor organization for the compensation paid to the member during the period of absence, may also be considered to be on a paid leave of absence. This subsection shall only apply if the member's leave of absence is authorized by a collective bargaining agreement that provides that the member retains seniority rights with the employer during the period of leave. The earnable compensation reported for a member who establishes service credit under this subsection may not be greater than the salary paid to the highest paid job class covered by the collective bargaining agreement. (3) Except as specified in subsection (4) of this section, a member shall be eligible to receive a maximum of two years service credit during a member's entire working career for those periods when a member is on an unpaid leave of absence authorized by an employer. Such credit may be obtained only if: (a) The member makes the contribution on behalf of the employer, plus interest, as determined by the department; and (b) The member makes the employee contribution, plus interest, as determined by the department, to the defined contribution portion. The contributions required shall be based on the average of the member's earnable compensation at both the time the authorized leave of absence was granted and the time the member resumed employment. (4) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States shall be entitled to retirement system service credit for up to five years of military service if within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge from the uniformed services of the United States, the member applies for reemployment with the employer who employed the member immediately prior to the member entering the uniformed services. This subsection shall be administered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the federal uniformed services employment and reemployment rights act. The department shall establish the member's service credit and shall bill the employer for its contribution required under RCW 41.45.060 and 41.45.067 for the period of military service, plus interest as determined by the department. Service credit under this subsection may be obtained only if the member makes the employee contribution to the defined contribution portion as determined by the department, or prior to retirement, the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection. The contributions required shall be based on the compensation the member would have earned if not on leave, or if that cannot be estimated with reasonable certainty, the compensation reported for the member in the year prior to when the member went on military leave. (a) The surviving spouse or eligible child or children of a member who left the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and died while serving in the uniformed services may, on behalf of the deceased member, apply for retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of the member's death in the uniformed services. The department shall establish the deceased member's service credit if the surviving spouse or eligible child or children: (i) Provides to the director proof of the member's death while serving in the uniformed services; (ii) Provides to the director proof of the member's honorable service in the uniformed services prior to the date of death; and (iii) Pays the employee contributions required under this subsection within five years of the date of death or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or (iv) Prior to the distribution of any benefit, provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . If the deceased member made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 , the surviving spouse or eligible child or children may, prior to the distribution of any benefit and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to the deceased member's credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to the surviving spouse or children. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection. (b) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer while serving in the uniformed services is entitled to retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of discharge from the uniformed services if: (i) The member obtains a determination from the director that he or she is totally incapacitated for continued employment due to conditions or events that occurred while serving in the uniformed services; (ii) The member provides to the director proof of honorable discharge from the uniformed services; and (iii) The member pays the employee contributions required under this subsection within five years of the director's determination of total disability or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or (iv) Prior to retirement the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service credit during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection.
RCW 41.80.330 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 80 / Section 330
RCW 41.80.330: Interest arbitration panel—State agency designation.
Status: in_force

An interest arbitration panel created pursuant to RCW 41.80.320 , in the performance of its duties under this chapter, exercises a state function and is, for the purposes of this chapter, a state agency. Chapter 34.05 RCW does not apply to proceedings before an interest arbitration panel under this chapter.
RCW 41.59.110 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 59 / Section 110
RCW 41.59.110: Commission, rules and regulations of—Federal precedents as standard.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall promulgate, revise, or rescind, in the manner prescribed by the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary and appropriate to administer the provisions of this chapter, in conformity with the intent and purpose of this chapter, and consistent with the best standards of labor-management relations. (2) The rules, precedents, and practices of the national labor relations board, provided they are consistent with this chapter, shall be considered by the commission in its interpretation of this chapter, and prior to adoption of any aforesaid commission rules and regulations.
RCW 41.40.780 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 780
RCW 41.40.780: Provisions applicable to plan 3—Plan 3 elements.
Status: in_force

(1) RCW 41.40.780 through 41.40.850 and 41.40.930 apply only to plan 3 members. (2) Plan 3 consists of two separate elements: (a) A defined benefit portion covered under this subchapter; and (b) a defined contribution portion covered under chapter 41.34 RCW. (3) Unless otherwise specified, all references to "plan 3" in this subchapter refer to the defined benefit portion of plan 3.
RCW 41.80.100 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 80 / Section 100
RCW 41.80.100: Employee authorization of membership dues and other payments—Revocation.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon authorization of an employee within the bargaining unit and after the certification or recognition of the bargaining unit's exclusive bargaining representative, the employer must deduct from the payments to the employee the monthly amount of dues as certified by the secretary of the exclusive bargaining representative and must transmit the same to the treasurer of the exclusive bargaining representative. (2)(a) If the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative of a bargaining unit enter into a collective bargaining agreement that includes requirements for deductions of other payments, the employer must make such deductions upon authorization of the employee. (b) An employee's written, electronic, or recorded voice authorization to have the employer deduct membership dues from the employee's salary must be made by the employee to the exclusive bargaining representative. If the employer receives a request for authorization of deductions, the employer shall as soon as practicable forward the request to the exclusive bargaining representative. (c) Upon receiving notice of the employee's authorization, the employer shall deduct from the employee's salary membership dues and remit the amounts to the exclusive bargaining representative. (d) The employee's authorization remains in effect until expressly revoked by the employee in accordance with the terms and conditions of the authorization. (e) An employee's request to revoke authorization for payroll deductions must be in writing and submitted by the employee to the exclusive bargaining representative in accordance with the terms and conditions of the authorization. (f) After the employer receives confirmation from the exclusive bargaining representative that the employee has revoked authorization for deductions, the employer shall end the deduction no later than the second payroll after receipt of the confirmation. (g) The employer shall rely on information provided by the exclusive bargaining representative regarding the authorization and revocation of deductions.
RCW 41.26.005 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 005
RCW 41.26.005: Provisions applicable to "plan 1" and "plan 2."
Status: in_force

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RCW 41.26.010 through 41.26.062 shall apply to members of plan 1 and plan 2.
RCW 41.32.380 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 380
RCW 41.32.380: Source of pension reserve—Contributions.
Status: in_force

There shall be placed in the pension reserve all appropriations made by the legislature for the purpose of paying pensions and survivors' benefits and of establishing and maintaining an actuarial reserve and all gifts and bequests to the pension reserve, and contributions of persons entering the retirement system who have established prior service credit. Members establishing prior service credit shall contribute to the pension reserve as follows: For the first ten years of prior service fifteen dollars per year; For the second ten years of prior service thirty dollars per year; For the third ten years of prior service forty-five dollars per year.
RCW 41.05A.100 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05A / Section 100
RCW 41.05A.100: Lien against real and personal property—Lien priority—Recovery by deduction or withholding of payments—Civil action.
Status: in_force

(1) Overpayments of assistance become a lien against the real and personal property of the recipient from the time of filing by the authority with the county auditor of the county in which the recipient resides or owns property, and the lien claim has preference over the claims of all unsecured creditors. (2) Debts due the state for overpayments of assistance may be recovered by the state by deduction from the subsequent assistance payments to such persons, lien and foreclosure, or order to withhold and deliver, or may be recovered by civil action.
RCW 41.14.100 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 100
RCW 41.14.100: Qualifications of applicants for position—Law enforcement agencies.
Status: in_force

An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service under the provisions of this chapter, must be a citizen of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, or a deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient. An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service under the provisions of this chapter must be able to speak, read, and write the English language. An application for a position with a law enforcement agency may be rejected if the law enforcement agency deems that it does not have the resources to conduct the background investigation required pursuant to chapter 43.101 RCW. Resources means materials, funding, and staff time. Nothing in this section impairs an applicant's rights under state antidiscrimination laws.
RCW 41.44.170 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 170
RCW 41.44.170: Allowance on retirement for disability.
Status: in_force

On retirement for permanent and total disability not incurred in line of duty a member shall receive a retirement allowance which shall consist of: (1) An annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his or her accumulated normal contributions; and (2) A pension provided by the contributions of the city which, together with his or her annuity provided by his or her accumulated normal contributions, shall make his or her retirement allowance equal to thirty percent of his or her final compensation for the first ten years of service, which allowance shall be increased by one and one-half percent for each year of service in excess of ten years to a maximum of fifty percent of his or her final compensation; otherwise he or she shall receive a retirement allowance of forty dollars per month or, except as to a part time employee, such sum, monthly, not in excess of sixty dollars per month, as is equal to six dollars per month for each year of his or her creditable service, whichever is greater. If the retirement allowance of a part time employee, based upon the pension hereinabove provided, does not exceed forty dollars per month, then such part time employee shall receive a retirement allowance of forty dollars per month and no more. Nothing herein contained shall be construed in a manner to increase or to decrease any pension being paid or to be paid to a member retired prior to August 6, 1965. (3) If it appears to the satisfaction of the board that permanent and total disability was incurred in line of duty, a member shall receive in lieu of the retirement allowance provided under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this section full pay from, and be furnished all hospital and medical care by, the city for a period of six months from the date of his or her disability, and commencing at the expiration of such six month period, shall receive a retirement allowance, regardless of his or her age or years of service, equal to fifty percent of his or her final compensation exclusive of any other benefit he or she may receive. (4) No disability retirement allowance shall exceed seventy-five percent of final compensation, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, except as provided in subdivision (7) of this section. (5) Upon the death of a member while in receipt of a disability retirement allowance, his or her accumulated contributions, as they were at the date of his or her retirement, less any annuity payments made to him or her, shall be paid to his or her estate, or to such persons having an insurable interest in his or her life as he or she shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the board. In the alternative, if there be a surviving spouse, or if no surviving spouse, there are surviving a child or children under the age of eighteen years, upon written notice to the board by such spouse, or if there be no such spouse, by the duly appointed, qualified and acting guardian of such child or children, within sixty days of the date of such member's death, there shall be paid to such spouse during his or her lifetime, or, if there be no such spouse, to such child or children, until they shall reach the age of eighteen years, a monthly pension equal to one-half of the monthly final compensation of such deceased member. If any such spouse or child or children shall marry, then such person so marrying shall thereafter receive no further pension herein provided. (6) If disability is due to intemperance, willful misconduct, or violation of law, on the part of the member, the board, in its discretion, may pay to said member, in one lump sum his or her accumulated contribution, in lieu of a retirement allowance, and such payment shall constitute full satisfaction of all obligations of the city to such member. (7) In addition to the annuity and pension provided for in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this section, a member shall receive an annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his or her accumulated additional contributions.
RCW 41.80.350 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 80 / Section 350
RCW 41.80.350: Interest arbitration panel proceeding—Consent to change existing wages, hours, and conditions of employment.
Status: in_force

During the pendency of the proceedings before the arbitration panel, existing wages, hours, and other conditions of employment shall not be changed by action of either party without the consent of the other but a party may so consent without prejudice to his rights or position under RCW 41.80.310 through 41.80.370 .
RCW 41.05.123 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 123
RCW 41.05.123: Flexible spending administrative account—Salary reduction account—School employees' benefits board flexible spending and dependent care administrative account—School employees' benefits board salary reduction account.
Status: in_force

(1) For the public employees' benefits board program, the flexible spending administrative account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. (a) All receipts from the following must be deposited in the account: (i) Revenues from employing agencies for costs associated with operating the *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter; and (ii) Unclaimed moneys at the end of the plan year after all timely submitted claims for that plan year have been processed. Expenditures from the account may be used only for administrative and other expenses related to operating the *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter. Only the director or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures. (b) The salary reduction account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Employee salary reductions paid to reimburse participants or service providers for benefits provided by the *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter shall be paid from the salary reduction account. The funds held by the state to pay for benefits provided by the *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter shall be deposited in the salary reduction account. Unclaimed moneys remaining in the salary reduction account at the end of a plan year after all timely submitted claims for that plan year have been processed shall become a part of the flexible spending administrative account. Only the director or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is not subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW and an appropriation is not required for expenditures. (c) Program claims reserves and money necessary for start-up costs transferred from the public employees' and retirees' insurance account established in RCW 41.05.120 may be deposited in the flexible spending administrative account. Moneys in excess of the amount necessary for administrative and operating expenses of the *medical flexible spending arrangement program may be transferred to the public employees' and retirees' insurance account. (d) The authority may periodically bill employing agencies for costs associated with operating the *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter. (2) For the school employees' benefits board program, the school employees' benefits board flexible spending and dependent care administrative account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. (a) All receipts from the following must be deposited in the account: (i) Revenues from school employees' benefits board organizations for costs associated with operating the school employees' benefits board *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the school employees' benefits board dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter; and (ii) Unclaimed moneys at the end of the plan year after all timely submitted claims for that plan year have been processed. Expenditures from the account may be used only for administrative and other expenses related to operating the school employees' benefits board *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the school employees' benefits board dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter. Only the director or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures. (b) The school employees' benefits board salary reduction account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. School employee salary reductions paid to reimburse participants or service providers for benefits provided by the school employees' benefits board *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the school employees' benefits board dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter shall be paid from the school employees' benefits board salary reduction account. The funds held by the state to pay for benefits provided by the school employees' benefits board *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the school employees' benefits board dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter shall be deposited in the school employees' benefits board salary reduction account. Unclaimed moneys remaining in the school employees' benefits board salary reduction account at the end of a plan year after all timely submitted claims for that plan year have been processed shall become a part of the school employees' benefits board flexible spending and dependent care administrative account. Only the director or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is not subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW and an appropriation is not required for expenditures. (c) Program claims reserves and money necessary for start-up costs transferred from the school employees' insurance account established in RCW 41.05.120 may be deposited in the school employees' benefits board flexible spending and dependent care administrative account. Moneys in excess of the amount necessary for administrative and operating expenses of the school employees' benefits board *medical flexible spending arrangement and the school employees' benefits board dependent care assistance program may be transferred to the school employees' insurance account. (d) The authority may periodically bill school employees' benefits board organizations for costs associated with operating the school employees' benefits board *medical flexible spending arrangement program and the school employees' benefits board dependent care assistance program provided through the salary reduction plan authorized under this chapter.
RCW 41.18.170 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 170
RCW 41.18.170: Application of chapter.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter governing contributions, pensions, and benefits shall have exclusive application (1) to firefighters as defined in this chapter hereafter becoming members of a fire department, (2) to firefighters as defined in this chapter heretofore employed in a department who have not otherwise elected as provided for in RCW 41.18.160 , and (3) to firefighters on disability retirement under chapter 41.16 RCW, at the effective date of this chapter, who thereafter shall have been returned to active duty by the retirement board, and who have not otherwise elected as provided for in RCW 41.18.160 within sixty days after return to active duty.
RCW 41.05.074 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 074
RCW 41.05.074: Public employees—Prior authorization standards and criteria—Health plan requirements—Definitions.
Status: in_force

(1) A health plan offered to public employees and their covered dependents under this chapter that imposes different prior authorization standards and criteria for a covered service among tiers of contracting providers of the same licensed profession in the same health plan shall inform an enrollee which tier an individual provider or group of providers is in by posting the information on its website in a manner accessible to both enrollees and providers. (2) The health plan may not require prior authorization for an evaluation and management visit or an initial treatment visit with a contracting provider in a new episode of chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture and Eastern medicine, massage therapy, or speech and hearing therapies. Notwithstanding RCW 48.43.515 (5) this section may not be interpreted to limit the ability of a health plan to require a referral or prescription for the therapies listed in this section. (3) The health care authority shall post on its website and provide upon the request of a covered person or contracting provider any prior authorization standards, criteria, or information the health plan uses for medical necessity decisions. (4) A health care provider with whom the administrator of the health plan consults regarding a decision to deny, limit, or terminate a person's covered health care services must hold a license, certification, or registration, in good standing and must be in the same or related health field as the health care provider being reviewed or of a specialty whose practice entails the same or similar covered health care service. (5) The health plan may not require a provider to provide a discount from usual and customary rates for health care services not covered under the health plan, policy, or other agreement, to which the provider is a party. (6) For purposes of this section: (a) "New episode of care" means treatment for a new or recurrent condition for which the enrollee has not been treated by the provider within the previous ninety days and is not currently undergoing any active treatment. (b) "Contracting provider" does not include providers employed within an integrated delivery system operated by a carrier licensed under chapter 48.44 or 48.46 RCW.
RCW 41.32.4851 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 4851
RCW 41.32.4851: Minimum retirement allowance—Annual adjustment—Persons who become beneficiaries after June 30, 1995.
Status: in_force

(1) No one who becomes a beneficiary after June 30, 1995, shall receive a monthly retirement allowance of less than twenty-four dollars and twenty-two cents times the number of years of service creditable to the person whose service is the basis of such retirement allowance. (2) If the retirement allowance payable was adjusted at the time benefit payments to the beneficiary commenced, the minimum allowance provided in this section shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with that adjustment. (3) Beginning July 1, 1996, the minimum benefit set forth in subsection (1) of this section shall be adjusted annually by the annual increase. (4) Those receiving a temporary disability benefit under RCW 41.32.540 shall not be eligible for the benefit provided by this section. (5) Beginning July 1, 2011, the minimum benefit set forth in subsection (1) of this section, prior to adjustments set forth in subsection (2) of this section, for a beneficiary with either (a) at least twenty years of service and who has been retired at least twenty-five years, or (b) at least twenty-five years of service and who has been retired at least twenty years, shall be one thousand five hundred dollars per month. On July 1, 2011, and each year thereafter, the minimum benefit in this subsection shall be increased by three percent, rounded to the nearest cent.
RCW 41.58.800 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 58 / Section 800
RCW 41.58.800: Transfer of employees to commission.
Status: in_force

All employees of the department of labor and industries classified under the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, whose positions are entirely concerned with functions transferred to the commission by chapter 296, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. shall be transferred to the jurisdiction of the commission.
RCW 41.20.130 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 130
RCW 41.20.130: Fund created.
Status: in_force

There is created in each city subject to the provisions of this chapter a police relief and pension fund. The fund shall be constituted as follows: A sum equal to six percent thereof shall be deducted monthly from the salary of each police officer by the city treasurer and placed in the fund, but the maximum deduction shall not exceed six percent of the monthly salary of captain. At the time the annual tax levy of the city is made, the city council, or other legislative body, shall order the transfer of an amount of money into the fund, sufficient with the salary deductions, to meet the financial requirements thereof: (1) From moneys collected or received from all licenses issued; (2) From fines and forfeitures collected or received in money for violation of city ordinances.
RCW 41.20.170 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 170
RCW 41.20.170: Transfer of membership.
Status: in_force

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Any former employee of a department of a city of the first class who (1) was a member of the employees' retirement system of such city, and (2) is now employed within the police department of such city, may transfer his or her membership from the city employees' retirement system to the city's police relief and pension fund system by filing a written request with the board of administration and the board of trustees, respectively, of the two systems. Upon the receipt of such request, the transfer of membership to the city's police relief and pension fund system shall be made, together with a transfer of all accumulated contributions credited to such member. The board of administration of the city's employees' retirement system shall transmit to the board of trustees of the city's police relief and pension fund system a record of service credited to such member which shall be computed and credited to such member as a part of his or her period of employment in the city's police relief and pension fund system. For the purpose of the transfer contemplated by this section, the affected individuals shall be allowed to restore withdrawn contributions to the city employees' retirement system and reinstate their membership service records. Any employee so transferring shall have all the rights, benefits and privileges that he or she would have been entitled to had he or she been a member of the city's police relief and pension fund system from the beginning of his or her employment with the city. No person so transferring shall thereafter be entitled to any other public pension, except that provided by chapter 41.26 RCW or social security, which is based upon service with the city. The right of any employee to file a written request for transfer of membership as set forth herein shall expire December 31, 1973.
RCW 41.50.803 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 803
RCW 41.50.803: Savings.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter nor in the amendment of RCW 43.17.010 , 43.17.020 , or * 43.33.070 shall be construed to affect any existing rights acquired under RCW 43.17.010 , 43.17.020 , or * 43.33.070 except as to the governmental agencies referred to and their officials and employees, nor as affecting any actions, activities, or proceedings validated thereunder, nor as affecting any civil or criminal proceedings instituted thereunder, nor any rule, regulation, or order promulgated thereunder, nor any administrative action taken thereunder; and neither the abolition of any agency or division thereof nor any transfer of powers, duties, and functions as provided in this chapter shall affect the validity of any act performed by such agency or division thereof or any officer thereof prior to the effective date of transfer as provided in RCW 41.50.030 .
RCW 41.06.073 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 073
RCW 41.06.073: Department of ecology—Certain personnel exempted from chapter.
Status: in_force

In addition to the exemptions set forth in RCW 41.06.070 , the provisions of this chapter shall not apply in the department of ecology to the director, his or her confidential secretary, his or her deputy director, and not to exceed six assistant directors.
RCW 41.56.525 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 525
RCW 41.56.525: Interest arbitration panel a state agency.
Status: in_force

An interest arbitration panel created pursuant to *RCW 41.56.521 , in the performance of its duties under chapter 41.56 RCW, exercises a state function and is, for the purposes of this chapter, a state agency. Chapter 34.05 RCW does not apply to proceedings before an interest arbitration panel under this chapter.
RCW 41.05.310 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 310
RCW 41.05.310: Salary reduction plan—Policies and procedures—Plan document.
Status: in_force

The authority shall have responsibility for the formulation and adoption of a plan, policies, and procedures designed to guide, direct, and administer the salary reduction plan. For the plan year beginning January 1, 1996, the director may establish a premium only plan. Expansion of the salary reduction plan or cafeteria plan during subsequent plan years shall be subject to approval by the director of the office of financial management. (1) A plan document describing the benefits offered under the salary reduction plan shall be adopted and administered by the authority. The authority shall represent the state in all matters concerning the administration of the plan. The state, through the authority, may engage the services of a professional consultant or administrator on a contractual basis to serve as an agent to assist the authority or perform the administrative functions necessary in carrying out the purposes of RCW 41.05.123 , 41.05.300 through 41.05.350 , and 41.05.295 . (2) The authority shall formulate and establish policies and procedures for the administration of the salary reduction plan that are consistent with existing state law, the internal revenue code, and the regulations adopted by the internal revenue service as they may apply to the benefits offered to participants under the plan. (3) Every action taken by the authority in administering RCW 41.05.123 , 41.05.300 through 41.05.350 , and 41.05.295 shall be presumed to be a fair and reasonable exercise of the authority vested in or the duties imposed upon it. The authority shall be presumed to have exercised reasonable care, diligence, and prudence and to have acted impartially as to all persons interested unless the contrary be proved by clear and convincing affirmative evidence.
RCW 41.20.060 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 060
RCW 41.20.060: Pension on retirement for duty connected disability.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person, while serving as a police officer in any such city becomes physically disabled by reason of any bodily injury received in the immediate or direct performance or discharge of his or her duties as a police officer, or becomes incapacitated for service on account of any duty connected disability, such incapacity not having been caused or brought on by dissipation or abuse, of which the board shall be judge, the board may, upon his or her written request filed with the secretary, or without such written request, if it deems it to be for the benefit of the public, retire such person from the department, and order and direct that he or she be paid from the fund during his or her lifetime, a pension equal to fifty percent of the amount of salary *at any time hereafter attached to the position which he or she held in the department at the date of his or her retirement, but not to exceed an amount equivalent to fifty percent of the salary of captain except as to a position higher than that of captain held for at least three calendar years prior to the date of retirement in which case as to such position the provisions of RCW 41.20.050 shall apply, and all existing pensions shall be increased to not less than three hundred dollars per month as of April 25, 1973: PROVIDED, That where, at the time of retirement hereafter for duty connected disability under this section, such person has served honorably for a period of more than twenty-five years as a member, in any capacity, of the regularly constituted police department of a city subject to the provisions of this chapter, the foregoing percentage factors to be applied in computing the pension payable under this section shall be increased by two percent of his or her salary per year for each full year of such additional service to a maximum of five additional years. Whenever such disability ceases, the pension shall cease, and such person shall be restored to active service at the same rank he or she held at the time of his or her retirement, and at the current salary attached to said rank at the time of his or her return to active service. Disability benefits provided for by this chapter shall not be paid when the police officer is disabled while he or she is engaged for compensation in outside work not of a police or special police nature.
RCW 41.40.262 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 262
RCW 41.40.262: Elected officials—Restoration of withdrawn contributions.
Status: in_force

Any active member or separated member who was not eligible to restore contributions under section 3, chapter 317, Laws of 1986, solely because he or she was an elected official, other than an elected official under Articles II or III of the Constitution of the state of Washington, shall be permitted to restore withdrawn contributions for periods of nonelected service no later than June 30, 1994, with interest as determined by the director.
RCW 41.16.150 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 16 / Section 150
RCW 41.16.150: Payment on separation from service.
Status: in_force

(1) Any firefighter who has served twenty years or more and who shall resign or be dismissed, shall have the option of receiving all his or her contributions plus earned interest compounded semiannually, or a monthly pension in the amount of his or her average monthly salary times the number of years of service rendered, times one and one-half percent. Payment of such pension shall commence at the time of severance from the fire department, or at the age of fifty-five years, whichever shall be later. The firefighter shall have sixty days from the severance date to elect which option he or she will take. In the event he or she fails to exercise his or her right of election then he or she shall receive the amount of his or her contributions plus accrued compounded interest. In the event he or she elects such pension, but dies before attaining the age of fifty-five, his widow or her widower, or if he leaves no widow or she leaves no widower, then his or her child or children shall receive only his or her contribution, plus accrued compounded interest. In the event he or she elects to take a pension and dies after attaining the age of fifty-five, his widow or her widower, or if he leaves no widow or she leaves no widower, then child or children shall receive his or her contributions, plus accrued compounded interest, less the amount of pension payments made to such firefighter during his or her lifetime. (2) Any firefighter who shall have served for a period of less than twenty years, and shall resign or be dismissed, shall be paid the amount of his or her contributions, plus accrued compounded interest.
RCW 41.26.170 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 170
RCW 41.26.170: Refund of contributions on discontinuance of service—Reentry.
Status: in_force

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(1) Should service of a member be discontinued except by death, disability, or retirement, the member shall, upon application therefor, be paid the accumulated contributions within sixty days after the day of application and the rights to all benefits as a member shall cease: PROVIDED, That any member with at least five years' service may elect the provisions of RCW 41.26.090 (2). (2) Any member whose contributions have been paid in accordance with subsection (1) of this section and who reenters the service of an employer shall upon the restoration of withdrawn contributions, which restoration must be completed within a total period of five years of service following resumption of employment, then receive credit toward retirement for the period of previous service which these contributions are to cover. (3) If the member fails to meet the time limitations of subsection (2) of this section, the member may make the payment required under RCW 41.50.165 (2) prior to retirement. The member shall then receive credit toward retirement for the period of previous service that the withdrawn contributions cover.
RCW 41.40.811 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 811
RCW 41.40.811: Purchased service credit—Allocation.
Status: in_force

(1) Contributions on behalf of the employer paid by the employee to purchase plan 3 service credit shall be allocated to the defined benefit portion of plan 3 and shall not be refundable when paid to the fund described in RCW 41.50.075 (3). Contributions on behalf of the employee shall be allocated to the member account. If the member fails to meet the statutory time limitations to purchase plan 3 service credit, it may be purchased under the provisions of RCW 41.50.165 (2). One-half of the purchase payments under RCW 41.50.165 (2), plus interest, shall be allocated to the member's account. (2) No purchased plan 3 membership service may be credited until all payments required of the member are made, with interest. Upon receipt of all payments owed by the member, the department shall bill the employer for any contributions, plus interest, required to purchase membership service.
RCW 41.06.102 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 102
RCW 41.06.102: Criminal justice training commission—Certain personnel exempted from chapter.
Status: in_force

In addition to the exemptions set forth in RCW 41.06.070 , the provisions of this chapter do not apply in the Washington state criminal justice training commission to two confidential secretaries involved in managing the confidential records under RCW 43.101.135 and 43.101.400 .
RCW 41.40.720 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 720
RCW 41.40.720: Vested membership.
Status: in_force

A member who separates or has separated after having completed at least five years of service may remain a member during the period of such member's absence from service for the exclusive purpose only of receiving a retirement allowance under the provisions of RCW 41.40.630 if such member maintains the member's accumulated contributions intact.
RCW 41.16.921 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 16 / Section 921
RCW 41.16.921: Construction—1975 1st ex.s. c 178, RCW 41.16.145.
Status: in_force

(1) The provisions of this section are procedural and remedial. (2) The application and effect of chapter 178, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. shall be retroactive to and including May 6, 1974. Each benefit being paid on June 4, 1975, shall then be adjusted as if chapter 178, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. had been in existence since May 6, 1974. Additionally, any amounts which would have been paid had chapter 178, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. been in effect since May 6, 1974, shall then be due as a one-time lump sum payment. (3) The provisions of RCW 41.16.145 shall be construed and read to have granted the percentage increase provided by that section to those receiving benefits pursuant to RCW 41.16.230 , until and including July 1, 1974, at which time those persons shall be regarded as eligible for the benefits granted by chapter 190, Laws of 1974 ex. sess., as provided in subsection (2) of this section. Any amounts now payable due to a failure to so construe and read RCW 41.16.145 are now due as a one-time lump sum payment.
RCW 41.06.580 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 580
RCW 41.06.580: Energy facility site evaluation council—Certain personnel exempted from chapter.
Status: in_force

In addition to the exemptions provided under RCW 41.06.070 , the provisions of this chapter do not apply to the following positions at the energy facility site evaluation council: The director; the personal secretary to the director and the council chair; and up to two professional staff members.
RCW 41.59.940 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 59 / Section 940
RCW 41.59.940: Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 288.
Status: in_force

Except for RCW 41.59.040 , 41.59.050 , 41.59.110 and 41.59.160 which shall take effect ninety days following enactment hereof, this chapter and RCW * 28A.150.060 and 28A.405.100 as amended by chapter 288, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. shall take effect on January 1, 1976. Where the term "effective date of this chapter" is used elsewhere in this chapter it shall mean January 1, 1976.
RCW 41.05A.260 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05A / Section 260
RCW 41.05A.260: Temporary total disability compensation recipients—Adjudicative proceeding.
Status: in_force

(1) A recipient feeling aggrieved by the action of the authority in recovering his or her temporary total disability compensation as provided in RCW 41.05A.230 through 41.05A.270 has the right to an adjudicative proceeding. (2) A recipient seeking an adjudicative proceeding shall file an application with the director within twenty-eight days after the statement of lien and notice to withhold and deliver was mailed to the recipient. If the recipient files an application more than twenty-eight days after, but within one year of, the date the statement of lien and notice to withhold and deliver was mailed, the recipient is entitled to a hearing if the recipient shows good cause for the recipient's failure to file a timely application. The filing of a late application does not affect prior collection action pending the final adjudicative order. Until good cause for failure to file a timely application is decided, the authority may continue to collect under the lien and notice to withhold and deliver. (3) The proceeding shall be governed by chapter 34.05 RCW, the administrative procedure act.
RCW 41.26.075 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 075
RCW 41.26.075: Provisions applicable to plan 1.
Status: in_force

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RCW 41.26.080 through 41.26.3903 shall apply only to members of plan 1.
RCW 41.35.170 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 170
RCW 41.35.170: Appeal—No bond required.
Status: in_force

No bond of any kind shall be required of a claimant appealing to the superior court, the court of appeals, or the supreme court from a finding of the department affecting the claimant's right to retirement or disability benefits.
RCW 41.32.260 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 260
RCW 41.32.260: Credit for military service or as state legislator.
Status: in_force

Any member whose public school service is interrupted by active service to the United States as a member of its uniformed services, or to the state of Washington, as a member of the legislature, may upon becoming reemployed in the public schools, receive credit for that service upon presenting satisfactory proof, and contributing to the member reserve, either in a lump sum or installments, amounts determined by the director. Except that no military service credit in excess of five years shall be established or reestablished after July 1, 1961, unless the service was actually rendered during time of war. This section shall be administered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the federal uniformed services employment and reemployment rights act. (1) The surviving spouse or eligible child or children of a member who left the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and died while serving in the uniformed services may, on behalf of the deceased member, apply for retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of the member's death in the uniformed services. The department shall establish the deceased member's service credit if the surviving spouse or eligible child or children: (a) Provides to the director proof of the member's death while serving in the uniformed services; (b) Provides to the director proof of the member's honorable service in the uniformed services prior to the date of death; and (c) Pays the employee contributions required under chapter 41.45 RCW within five years of the date of death or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first. (2) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer while serving in the uniformed services is entitled to retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of discharge from the uniformed services if: (a) The member obtains a determination from the director that he or she is totally incapacitated for continued employment due to conditions or events that occurred while serving in the uniformed services; (b) The member provides to the director proof of honorable discharge from the uniformed services; and (c) The member pays the employee contributions required under chapter 41.45 RCW within five years of the director's determination of total disability or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first.
RCW 41.14.150 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 150
RCW 41.14.150: Procedure for payment of compensation—Refusal to pay.
Status: in_force

No treasurer, auditor or other officer, or employee of any county subject to this chapter shall approve the payment of or be in any manner concerned in paying, auditing, or approving any salary, wage, or other compensation for services, to any person subject to the jurisdiction and scope of this chapter, unless a payroll, estimate, or account for such salary, wage, or other compensation, containing the names of the persons to be paid, the amount to be paid to each such person, the services on account of which same is paid, and any other information which, in the judgment of the civil service commission, should be furnished on such payroll, bears the certificate of the civil service commission, or of its chief examiner or other duly authorized agent, that the persons named therein have been appointed or employed in compliance with the terms of this chapter and the rules of the commission, and that the payroll, estimate, or account is, insofar as known to the commission, a true and accurate statement. The commission shall refuse to certify the pay of any public officer or employee whom it finds to be illegally or improperly appointed, and may further refuse to certify the pay of any public officer or employee who wilfully or through culpable negligence, violates or fails to comply with this chapter or with the rules of the commission.
RCW 41.40.700 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 700
RCW 41.40.700: Death benefits.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in RCW 11.07.010 , if a member or a vested member who has not completed at least ten years of service dies, the amount of the accumulated contributions standing to such member's credit in the retirement system at the time of such member's death, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If there be no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, such member's accumulated contributions standing to such member's credit in the retirement system, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse as if in fact such spouse had been nominated by written designation, or if there be no such surviving spouse, then to such member's legal representatives. (2) If a member who is eligible for retirement or a member who has completed at least ten years of service dies, the surviving spouse or eligible child or children shall elect to receive one of the following: (a) A retirement allowance computed as provided for in RCW 41.40.630 , actuarially reduced by the amount of any lump sum benefit identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 and actuarially adjusted to reflect a joint and one hundred percent survivor option under RCW 41.40.660 and, except under subsection (4) of this section, if the member was not eligible for normal retirement at the date of death a further reduction as described in RCW 41.40.630 ; if a surviving spouse who is receiving a retirement allowance dies leaving a child or children of the member under the age of majority, then such child or children shall continue to receive an allowance in an amount equal to that which was being received by the surviving spouse, share and share alike, until such child or children reach the age of majority; if there is no surviving spouse eligible to receive an allowance at the time of the member's death, such member's child or children under the age of majority shall receive an allowance share and share alike calculated as herein provided making the assumption that the ages of the spouse and member were equal at the time of the member's death; (b) The member's accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 ; or (c) For a member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and who dies after January 1, 2007, while honorably serving in the uniformed services of the United States in Operation Enduring Freedom or Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom, an amount equal to two hundred percent of the member's accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 . (3) If a member who is eligible for retirement or a member who has completed at least ten years of service dies after October 1, 1977, and is not survived by a spouse or an eligible child, then the accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid: (a) To a person or persons, estate, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department; or (b) If there is no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, then to the member's legal representatives. (4) A member who is killed in the course of employment, as determined by the director of the department of labor and industries, or a member who has left the employ of an employer due to service in the national guard or military reserves and dies while honorably serving in the national guard or military reserves during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 , is not subject to an actuarial reduction under RCW 41.40.630 . The member's retirement allowance is computed under RCW 41.40.620 .
RCW 41.34.060 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 34 / Section 060
RCW 41.34.060: Members' accounts—Investment—Election.
Status: in_force

(1) Members may select investments as provided in subsections (2) and (4) of this section. If a member of the public employees' retirement system entering plan 3 under RCW 41.40.785 , a member of the teachers' retirement system entering plan 3 under RCW 41.32.835 , or a member of the school employees' retirement system entering plan 3 under RCW 41.35.610 does not select investments, the member's account shall be invested in the default investment option of the retirement strategy fund that is closest to the retirement target date of the member. Retirement strategy fund means one of several diversified asset allocation portfolios managed by investment advisors under contract to the state investment board. The asset mix of the portfolios adjusts over time depending on a target retirement date. The retirement strategy fund asset mix may include investment in state investment board commingled funds as authorized in RCW 43.33A.170 . (2) Members may elect to have their account invested by the state investment board. In order to reduce transaction costs and address liquidity issues, based upon recommendations of the state investment board, the department may require members to provide up to ninety days' notice prior to moving funds from the state investment board portfolio to self-directed investment options provided under subsection (4) of this section. (a) For members of the retirement system as provided for in chapter 41.32 RCW of plan 3, investment shall be in the same portfolio as that of the teachers' retirement system combined plan 2 and 3 fund under RCW 41.50.075 (2). (b) For members of the retirement system as provided for in chapter 41.35 RCW of plan 3, investment shall be in the same portfolio as that of the school employees' retirement system combined plan 2 and 3 fund under RCW 41.50.075 (4). (c) For members of the retirement system as provided for in chapter 41.40 RCW of plan 3, investment shall be in the same portfolio as that of the public employees' retirement system combined plan 2 and 3 fund under RCW 41.50.075 (3). (3) The state investment board shall declare unit values no less than monthly for the portfolios or funds, or portions thereof, utilized under subsection (2)(a), (b), and (c) of this section. The declared values shall be an approximation of portfolio or fund values, based on internal procedures of the state investment board. Such declared unit values and internal procedures shall be in the sole discretion of the state investment board. The state investment board may delegate any of the powers and duties under this subsection, including discretion, pursuant to RCW 43.33A.030 . Member accounts shall be credited by the department with a rate of return based on changes to such unit values. (4) Members may elect to self-direct their investments as set forth in RCW 41.34.130 and 43.33A.190 .
RCW 41.04.410 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 410
RCW 41.04.410: Consolidation of local governmental unit and first-class city retirement system—Membership in public employees' or public safety employees' retirement system.
Status: in_force

If a consolidated employer is a participating member in the public employees' retirement system under chapter 41.40 RCW prior to the consolidation or in the public safety employees' retirement system under chapter 41.37 RCW prior to the consolidation: (1) All existing employees of the consolidated employer who are active members of the public employees' or public safety employees' retirement system immediately prior to the consolidation shall continue to be members of that retirement system while employed by the consolidated employer. (2) All existing employees of the consolidated employer who are active members of a first-class city retirement system under chapter 41.28 RCW immediately prior to the consolidation shall cease to be members of that system at the time of the consolidation and, if eligible, shall immediately become members of the public employees' or public safety employees' retirement system. However, any such active member may, by a writing filed with the consolidated employer within thirty days after the consolidation or within thirty days after March 15, 1984, whichever is later, irrevocably elect instead to continue to be a member of the first-class city retirement system, thereby forever waiving any rights under the public employees' or public safety employees' retirement system based upon employment with the consolidated employer. (3) Only prospective periods of qualifying service under the public employees' or public safety employees' retirement system may be established under this section.
RCW 41.44.110 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 110
RCW 41.44.110: Membership.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, membership of this retirement system shall be composed of the following groups of employees in any participating city or cities: (a) Miscellaneous personnel as defined in this chapter; (b) Uniformed personnel as defined in this chapter; (c) Elective officials, who shall have the right to membership in this retirement system upon filing written notice of such election with the board of trustees; (d) Employees of the retirement system itself shall be entitled to membership and any costs in connection with such membership shall be a part of the cost of administration; (e) Employees of any state association of cities and towns shall be entitled to membership, upon election to participate made by the board of directors pursuant to RCW 41.44.050 , and any costs in connection with such membership which would be borne by a city in the case of employees of a city shall be borne by the association. (2) Any city may, when electing to participate in this retirement system in the manner set forth in RCW 41.44.050 , include any one group or combination of the groups mentioned in subsection (1) of this section. For an initial period not to exceed one year from the effective date of any city's entry into this system, if so provided at the time of its election to participate, only a majority of the employees of any group or combination of groups must be members of the system. At all times subsequent to the effective date of the city's entry into this system, or at all times after expiration of such initial period, if such initial period is established at the time of the city's election to participate, all employees of any group or combination of groups must be included or excluded as members of this system. Groups (c) and (d) shall be considered as being composed of miscellaneous personnel as far as benefits and obligations are concerned except when the contrary is clearly indicated. (3) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, membership in the retirement system shall be compulsory for all employees in groups (a) and (b), after qualification as provided in subsection (4) of this section. (4) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, all employees in city service, on the effective date, or on June 9, 1949, or on expiration of the initial period therein provided if they have completed six consecutive months' service or six months' service in any calendar year prior to the expiration of such initial period, shall be members of the system, provided that such employees who are not regular full time employees and are earning less than one hundred dollars per month, or are part time employees serving in an official or special capacity may with the acquiescence of the legislative body of the city or town in which they are employed, elect on or before January 1, 1950, to discontinue membership by giving written notice of such election to the board. All other regular employees earning more than one hundred dollars per month shall become members upon the completion of six consecutive months' service or six months' service in any calendar year. Any employee otherwise eligible, employed in a permanent position, may elect in writing to become a member of the system at any time during the initial period, or at any time prior to completing such six months' service. Such individual employees other than regular employees, who are earning less than one hundred dollars per month or who are serving in an official or special capacity may elect to become members with the acquiescence of the legislative body of the city or town in which they are employed upon the completion of six months of consecutive service or six months' service in any calendar year. (5) It shall be the duty of the proper persons in each city to immediately report to the board routine changes in the status of personnel and to immediately furnish such other information regarding the employment of members as the board may from time to time require. (6) Should any member withdraw more than one-quarter of his or her accumulated contributions, or should he or she die or be retired, he or she shall thereupon cease to be a member. (7) Transfer of any employee from one city to another shall not cause the employee to lose membership in the system providing the city to which he or she transfers participates in the retirement system created herein.
RCW 41.24.185 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 185
RCW 41.24.185: Lump sum payments—Monthly pension under fifty dollars.
Status: in_force

Any monthly pension, payable under this chapter, which will not amount to fifty dollars may be converted into a lump sum payment equal to the actuarial equivalent of the monthly pension. The conversion may be made either upon written application to the state board and shall rest at the discretion of the state board; or the state board may make, on its own motion, lump sum payments, equal or proportionate, as the case may be, to the value of the annuity then remaining in full satisfaction of claims due. Any person receiving a monthly payment of less than twenty-five dollars at the time of September 1, 1979, may elect, within two years, to convert such payments into a lump sum payment as provided in this section.
RCW 41.06.540 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 540
RCW 41.06.540: Joint employee-management committees.
Status: in_force

Meaningful and effective involvement of employees and their representatives is essential to the efficient and effective delivery of state government services. To accomplish this, agencies shall use joint employee-management committees to collaborate on the desired goals of streamlined organizational structures, continuous improvement in all systems and processes, empowerment of line level employees to solve workplace and system delivery problems, managers functioning as coaches and facilitators, and employee training and development as an investment in the future. If employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, the representative shall select the employee committee members and also be on the committee. In addition, the committees shall be used for improvement of the quality of work life for state employees resulting in more productive and efficient service delivery to the general public and customers of state government. Nothing in this section supplants any collective bargaining process or provision.
RCW 41.06.097 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 097
RCW 41.06.097: Department of children, youth, and families—Certain personnel exempted from chapter.
Status: in_force

In addition to the exemptions under RCW 41.06.070 , the provisions of this chapter shall not apply in the department of children, youth, and families to the secretary, the secretary's personal secretary, and any other exempt staff members provided for in RCW 43.216.025 (2).
RCW 41.04.245 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 245
RCW 41.04.245: Payroll deductions to a bank, savings bank, credit union, or savings and loan association.
Status: in_force

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 employee's salary or wages for payment to any bank, savings bank, credit union, or savings and loan association if (1) the bank, savings bank, credit union, or savings and loan association is authorized to do business in this state; and (2) twenty-five or more employees of a single local political subdivision, or fewer, if a lesser number is established by such local political subdivision, authorize such a deduction for payment to the same bank, savings bank, credit union, or savings and loan association.
RCW 41.76.050 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 76 / Section 050
RCW 41.76.050: Unfair labor practices.
Status: in_force

(1) It is an unfair labor practice for an employer to: (a) Interfere with, restrain, or coerce faculty members in the exercise of the rights guaranteed by this chapter; (b) Dominate or interfere with the formation or administration of any employee organization or contribute financial or other support to it: PROVIDED, That subject to rules adopted by the commission, an employer is not prohibited from permitting faculty members to confer with it or its representatives or agents during working hours without loss of time or pay; (c) Encourage or discourage membership in any employee organization by discrimination in regard to hire, tenure of employment, or any term or condition of employment; (d) Discharge or discriminate otherwise against a faculty member because that faculty member has filed charges or given testimony under this chapter; (e) Refuse to bargain collectively with the exclusive bargaining representative of its faculty. (2) It is an unfair labor practice for an employee organization to: (a) Restrain or coerce a faculty member in the exercise of the rights guaranteed by this chapter: PROVIDED, That this subsection does not impair the rights of (i) an employee organization to prescribe its own rules with respect to the acquisition or retention of membership in the employee organization or (ii) to the rights of an employer in the selection of its representatives for the purpose of bargaining or the adjustment of grievances; (b) Cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate against a faculty member in violation of subsection (1)(c) of this section; (c) Discriminate against a faculty member because that faculty member has filed charges or given testimony under this chapter; (d) Refuse to bargain collectively with an employer. (3) The expressing of any view, arguments, or opinion, or the dissemination thereof to the public, whether in written, printed, graphic, or visual form, shall not constitute or be evidence of an unfair labor practice under this chapter, if such expression contains no threat of reprisal or force or promise of benefit.
RCW 41.50.220 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 220
RCW 41.50.220: Trustees, employees not to guarantee loans.
Status: in_force

No trustee or employee of the department shall become an endorser or surety or an obligor for moneys loaned by the department.
RCW 41.06.010 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 010
RCW 41.06.010: Declaration of purpose.
Status: in_force

The general purpose of this chapter is to establish for the state a system of personnel administration based on merit principles and scientific methods governing the appointment, promotion, transfer, layoff, recruitment, retention, classification and pay plan, removal, discipline, training and career development, and welfare of its civil employees, and other incidents of state employment. All appointments and promotions to positions, and retention therein, in the state service, shall be made on the basis of policies hereinafter specified.
RCW 41.05.039 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 039
RCW 41.05.039: Health information—Secure access—Lead organization—Director's duties.
Status: in_force

(1) By August 1, 2009, the director shall designate one or more lead organizations to coordinate development of processes, guidelines, and standards to: (a) Improve patient access to and control of their own health care information and thereby enable their active participation in their own care; and (b) Implement methods for the secure exchange of clinical data as a means to promote: (i) Continuity of care; (ii) Quality of care; (iii) Patient safety; and (iv) Efficiency in medical practices. (2) The lead organization designated by the director under this section shall: (a) Be representative of health care privacy advocates, providers, and payors across the state; (b) Have expertise and knowledge in the major disciplines related to the secure exchange of health data; (c) Be able to support the costs of its work without recourse to state funding. The director and the lead organization are authorized and encouraged to seek federal funds, including funds from the federal American recovery and reinvestment act, as well as solicit, receive, contract for, collect, and hold grants, donations, and gifts to support the implementation of this section and RCW 41.05.042 ; (d) In collaboration with the director, identify and convene work groups, as needed, to accomplish the goals of this section and RCW 41.05.042 ; (e) Conduct outreach and communication efforts to maximize the adoption of the guidelines, standards, and processes developed by the lead organization; (f) Submit regular updates to the director on the progress implementing the requirements of this section and RCW 41.05.042 ; and (g) With the director, report to the legislature December 1, 2009, and on December 1st of each year through December 1, 2012, on progress made, the time necessary for completing tasks, and identification of future tasks that should be prioritized for the next improvement cycle. (3) Within available funds as specified in subsection (2)(c) of this section, the director shall: (a) Participate in and review the work and progress of the lead organization, including the establishment and operation of work groups for this section and RCW 41.05.042 ; and (b) Consult with the office of the attorney general to determine whether: (i) An antitrust safe harbor is necessary to enable licensed carriers and providers to develop common rules and standards; and, if necessary, take steps, such as implementing rules or requesting legislation, to establish a safe harbor; and (ii) Legislation is needed to limit provider liability if their health records are missing health information despite their participation in the exchange of health information. (4) The lead organization or organizations shall take steps to minimize the costs that implementation of the processes, guidelines, and standards may have on participating entities, including providers.
RCW 41.37.290 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 37 / Section 290
RCW 41.37.290: Reentry.
Status: in_force

(1) A member, who had left service and withdrawn the member's accumulated contributions, shall receive service credit for prior service if the member restores all withdrawn accumulated contributions together with interest since the time of withdrawal as determined by the department. The restoration of funds must be completed within five years of the resumption of service or prior to retirement, whichever occurs first. (2) If a member fails to meet the time limitations of subsection (1) of this section, the member may receive service credit destroyed by the withdrawn contributions if the amount required under RCW 41.50.165 (2) is paid.
RCW 41.40.670 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 670
RCW 41.40.670: Earned disability allowance—Applicability to certain judges—Disposition upon death of recipient.
Status: in_force

(1) A member of the retirement system who becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer as determined by the department upon recommendation of the department shall be eligible to receive an allowance under the provisions of RCW 41.40.610 through 41.40.740 . The member shall receive a monthly disability allowance computed as provided for in RCW 41.40.620 and shall have this allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at disability and the attainment of age sixty-five. Any member who receives an allowance under the provisions of this section shall be subject to comprehensive medical examinations as required by the department. If these medical examinations reveal that a member has recovered from the incapacitating disability and the member is offered reemployment by an employer at a comparable compensation, the member shall cease to be eligible for the allowance. (2) The retirement for disability of a judge, who is a member of the retirement system, by the supreme court under Article IV, section 31 of the Constitution of the state of Washington (Amendment 71), with the concurrence of the department, shall be considered a retirement under subsection (1) of this section. (3)(a) If the recipient of a monthly retirement allowance under this section dies before the total of the retirement allowance paid to the recipient equals the amount of the accumulated contributions at the date of retirement, then the balance shall be paid to the member's estate, or the person or persons, trust, or organization as the recipient has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the director, or, if there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of the recipient's death, then to the surviving spouse, or, if there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of his or her death nor a surviving spouse, then to his or her legal representative. (b) If a recipient of a monthly retirement allowance under this section died before April 27, 1989, and before the total of the retirement allowance paid to the recipient equaled the amount of his or her accumulated contributions at the date of retirement, then the department shall pay the balance of the accumulated contributions to the member's surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, then in equal shares to the member's children. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the department shall retain the contributions.
RCW 41.20.150 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 150
RCW 41.20.150: Return of member's contributions—Option to be classified as vested member.
Status: in_force

Whenever any member affected by this chapter terminates his or her employment prior to the completion of twenty-five years of service he or she shall receive seventy-five percent of his or her contributions made after *the effective date of this act and he or she shall not receive any contributions made prior thereto: PROVIDED, That in the case of any member who has completed twenty years of service, such member, upon termination for any cause except for a conviction of a felony, shall have the option of electing, in lieu of recovery of his or her contributions as herein provided, to be classified as a vested member in accordance with the following provisions: (1) Written notice of such election shall be filed with the board within thirty days after the effective date of such member's termination; (2) During the period between the date of his or her termination and the date upon which he or she becomes a retired member as hereinafter provided, such vested member and his or her spouse or dependent children shall be entitled to all benefits available under chapter 41.20 RCW to a retired member and his or her spouse or dependent children with the exception of the service retirement allowance as herein provided for: PROVIDED, That any claim for medical coverage under RCW 41.20.120 shall be attributable to service connected illness or injury; (3) Any member electing to become a vested member shall be entitled at such time as he or she otherwise would have completed twenty-five years of service had he or she not terminated, to receive a service retirement allowance computed on the following basis: Two percent of the amount of salary at any time hereafter attached to the position held by the vested member for the year preceding the date of his or her termination, for each year of service rendered prior to the date of his or her termination. At such time the vested member shall be regarded as a retired member and, in addition to the retirement allowance herein provided for, shall continue to be entitled to all such other benefits as are by chapter 41.20 RCW made available to retired members.
RCW 41.24.160 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 160
RCW 41.24.160: Death benefits.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Whenever a participant dies as the result of injuries received, or sickness contracted in consequence or as the result of the performance of his or her duties, the board of trustees shall order and direct the payment from the principal fund of (i) the sum of two hundred fourteen thousand dollars to his widow or her widower, or if there is no widow or widower, then to his or her dependent child or children, or if there is no dependent child or children, then to his or her dependent parents or either of them, or if there are no dependent parents or parent, then the death benefit shall be paid to the member's estate, and (ii)(A) the sum of one thousand two hundred seventy-five dollars per month to his widow or her widower, with (B) an additional amount of five hundred dollars per month paid to the legal guardian or surviving parent of each birth or legally adopted child, unemancipated or under eighteen years of age, and dependent upon the member for support at the time of his or her death. (b) Beginning on July 1, 2001, and each July 1st thereafter, the compensation amounts specified in (a)(ii)(A) and (B) of this subsection shall be readjusted to reflect the percentage change in the consumer price index, calculated as follows: The index for the calendar year preceding the year in which the July calculation is made, to be known as "calendar year A," is divided by the index for the calendar year preceding calendar year A, and the resulting ratio is multiplied by the compensation amount in effect on June 30th immediately preceding the July 1st on which the respective calculation is made. For the purposes of this subsection, "index" means the same as the definition in RCW 2.12.037 (1). (2) In the case provided for in this section, the monthly payment provided may be converted in whole or in part into a lump sum payment, not in any case to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars, equal or proportionate, as the case may be, to the actuarial equivalent of the monthly payment in which event the monthly payments shall cease in whole or in part accordingly or proportionately. Such conversion may be made either upon written application to the state board and shall rest in the discretion of the state board; or the state board is authorized to make, and authority is given it to make, on its own motion, lump sum payments, equal or proportionate, as the case may be, to the value of the annuity then remaining in full satisfaction of claims due to dependents. Within the rule under this subsection the amount and value of the lump sum payment may be agreed upon between the applicant and the state board.
RCW 41.48.110 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 48 / Section 110
RCW 41.48.110: Legislative declaration—Payments to state employees on account of sickness.
Status: in_force

It is the policy of the state of Washington to pay its employees on account of sickness or accident disability in accordance with applicable leave regulations and in such a manner so such payments are excluded from federal old age and survivors' insurance contribution requirements.
RCW 41.50.800 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 800
RCW 41.50.800: Apportionment of budgeted funds of affected agencies.
Status: in_force

If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the transfers herein authorized, the director of financial management shall certify such apportionments to the agencies affected, the state auditor, and the state treasurer. Each of these shall make the appropriate transfer and adjustment in funds and appropriation accounts and equipment records in accordance with such certification.
RCW 41.05.180 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 180
RCW 41.05.180: Mammograms—Insurance coverage.
Status: in_force

Each health plan offered to public employees and their covered dependents under this chapter that is not subject to the provisions of Title 48 RCW and is established or renewed after January 1, 1990, and that provides benefits for hospital or medical care shall provide benefits for screening or diagnostic mammography services, provided that such services are delivered upon the recommendation of the patient's physician or *advanced registered nurse practitioner as authorized by the state board of nursing pursuant to chapter 18.79 RCW or physician assistant pursuant to chapter 18.71A RCW. This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the authority of the state health care authority to negotiate rates and contract with specific providers for the delivery of mammography services. This section shall not apply to medicare supplement policies or supplemental contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.
RCW 41.28.060 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 28 / Section 060
RCW 41.28.060: Board of administration to administer system—Powers and duties—Actuarial investigations and valuations—Reports, records, and accounts.
Status: in_force

The administration of the retirement system is hereby vested in the board of administration created in RCW 41.28.080 . The board shall exercise the powers and duties conferred upon it by said section, and in addition thereto: (1) The board shall keep in convenient form such data as shall be necessary for the actuarial valuation of the retirement fund created by this chapter. At the end of the five-year period beginning with the year 1939, and at the end of every five-year period thereafter, the board shall cause to be made an actuarial investigation into the mortality, service and compensation experience of the members, and beneficiaries as defined by this chapter; and shall further cause to be made an actuarial valuation of the assets and liabilities of the retirement fund, and upon the basis of such investigation and valuation and subject to the approval of the city council or city commission, shall: (a) Make any necessary changes in the rate of interest; (b) Adopt for the retirement system such mortality, service and other tables as shall be necessary; (c) Revise or change the rates of contribution by members on the basis of such mortality, service and other tables. (2) The board shall promptly transmit to the city council or city commission a report covering the actuarial investigation and actuarial valuation provided for in subdivision (1) of this section. (3) In addition to other records and accounts, the board shall keep such detailed reports and accounts as shall be necessary to show the financial condition of the retirement fund at all times. (4) The board shall annually transmit to the city council or city commission a report showing the financial condition of the fund established by this chapter.
RCW 41.26.463 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 463
RCW 41.26.463: Optional actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit—Rules—Definition.
Status: in_force

(1) At the time of retirement, plan 2 members may purchase an optional actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit from the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' system plan 2 retirement fund established in RCW 41.50.075 . A minimum payment of twenty-five thousand dollars is required. (2) Retirees, or their beneficiaries, who have received a one-time lump sum defined benefit under RCW 41.26.555 may purchase an optional actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit from the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' system plan 2 retirement fund established in RCW 41.50.075 , with the money received from the lump sum defined benefit. A minimum payment of $20,000 is required. (3) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member purchasing an annuity under this section must pay all of the cost with an eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan. (a) The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all eligible rollovers and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law. (b) "Eligible retirement plan" means a tax qualified plan offered by a governmental employer.
RCW 41.26.550 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 550
RCW 41.26.550: Reentry.
Status: in_force

(1) A member, who had left service and withdrawn the member's funds pursuant to RCW 41.26.540 , shall receive service credit for such prior service if the member restores all withdrawn funds together with interest since the time of withdrawal as determined by the department. The restoration of such funds must be completed within five years of the resumption of service or prior to retirement, whichever occurs first. (2) If a member fails to meet the time limitations of subsection (1) of this section, the member may receive service credit destroyed by the withdrawn contributions if the amount required under RCW 41.50.165 (2) is paid.
RCW 41.04.170 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 170
RCW 41.04.170: Interchange of personnel between federal and state agencies—Employment status of federal employees participating—Retirement—Civil service.
Status: in_force

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 in accordance with the usual rates paid by the state agency for similar positions. An appropriate percentage of compensation shall be deducted and transmitted to the federal agency for retirement and insurance where the interchange agreement so provides. (2) Federal employees on detail with a state agency remain employees of and shall continue to receive their compensation from the federal agency, subject to the terms of the interchange agreement.
RCW 41.44.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 040
RCW 41.44.040: System created—Operative date.
Status: in_force

A retirement system is hereby authorized for employees of cities, same to become operative after the requisite city or cities or combination thereof, have signified their intention to participate in the retirement system and the board has been appointed and qualified as herein provided. The board may begin to function, establish an office, employ an actuary and such other personnel as necessary and undertake the work of establishing the retirement system but it shall not be required to undertake such work unless necessary moneys are made available through negotiated loans or advances from cities or otherwise. Whenever cities have notified the governor of election to join the retirement system to an extent which would place three hundred or more employees under the system, the governor shall appoint board members as provided herein and the system so created and established shall be forthwith constituted. The date when the system shall become operative as to any city shall be fixed by the board.
RCW 41.32.837 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 837
RCW 41.32.837: Right to waive benefit—Irrevocable choice.
Status: in_force

Any member receiving or having received a distribution under chapter 41.34 RCW may make an irrevocable choice to waive all rights to a benefit under RCW 41.32.840 by notifying the department in writing of their intention.
RCW 41.05.820 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 820
RCW 41.05.820: Qualified requirement for health carrier in insurance holding company to offer silver and gold health plans.
Status: in_force

(1) For plan years beginning January 1, 2020, at least one health carrier in an insurance holding company system must offer in the exchange at least one silver and one gold qualified health plan in any county in which any health carrier in that insurance holding company system offers a fully insured health plan that was approved, on or after June 7, 2018, by the school employees' benefits board or the public employees' benefits board to be offered to employees and their covered dependents under this chapter. (2) The rates for a health plan approved by the school employees' benefits board or the public employees' benefits board may not include the administrative costs or actuarial risks associated with a qualified health plan offered under subsection (1) of this section. (3) The authority shall perform an actuarial review during the annual rate setting process for plans approved by the school employees' benefits board or the public employees' benefits board to ensure compliance with subsection (2) of this section. (4) For purposes of this section, "exchange" and "health carrier" have the same meaning as in RCW 48.43.005 . (5) For purposes of this section, "insurance holding company system" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.31B.005 .
RCW 41.41.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 41 / Section 020
RCW 41.41.020: Terms and provisions of plan.
Status: in_force

The terms and provisions of the plan are as follows: (1) Each political subdivision of the state employing members of the state employees' retirement system, and such employees, after approval of this plan by its governing body as provided in RCW 41.48.030 (4)(f) and after approval by its eligible employees through referendum as provided in RCW 41.48.030 (3) and (4), and the state itself as such a subdivision, and its employees, after approval of this plan by the legislature as provided in RCW 41.48.050 (d) and RCW 41.48.030 (4)(f) and after approval by its eligible employees through referendum as provided in RCW 41.48.030 (3) and (4), shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed to be bound by the following terms and conditions in consideration of extension of the existing agreement between the secretary of health, education and welfare and the governor to make the protection of the federal old age and survivors insurance program available and applicable to such employees. (2) As used in this plan the terms quoted below shall have the meanings assigned thereto in this subsection. "Political subdivision" means any political subdivision, or instrumentality of one or more such subdivisions, or proprietary enterprise acquired, purchased, or originated by one or more such subdivisions after December, 1950, which employs members of the state employees' retirement system. The state, its agencies, instrumentalities, and institutions of higher learning shall be grouped and considered as a single political subdivision. "Employee" means any person who is a member of the state employees' retirement system and is employed by a political subdivision, except persons serving in police officer's or firefighters' positions and officials compensated on a fee basis. "Wages" shall have the meaning given in *RCW 41.48.020 (1) and section 209 of the social security act (42 U.S.C.A. Sec. 409); and refers to the first four thousand two hundred dollars paid to any employee in any calendar year. "State," where not otherwise clearly indicated by the context, means the commissioner of employment security or other officer designated by the governor to administer the plan at the state level for all participating political subdivisions. (3) The terms and conditions of this plan are intended and shall be construed to be in conformity with the requirements of the federal social security act as amended and with the requirements of chapter 41.48 RCW, and particularly RCW 41.48.050 , as amended by chapter 4, Laws of the extraordinary session of 1955. (4) The rights and benefits accruing to employees from membership in the state employees' retirement system shall in no way be altered or impaired by this plan or by the additional and supplementary OASI coverage which such employees may receive hereunder. Nothing herein shall be construed to alter in any way the obligations of any political subdivision or its employees to the retirement system. (5) There shall be no additional cost to or involvement of the state with respect to OASI coverage for state employee members of the state employees' retirement system until this plan has been approved by the legislature. (6) OASI coverage shall be applicable to all services performed by its employees for a political subdivision which has approved this plan. (7) Each employee to whom OASI coverage is made applicable under this plan pursuant to an extension or modification under RCW 41.48.030 of the existing agreement between the secretary of health, education, and welfare and the governor shall be required to pay into the OASI contribution account established by RCW 41.48.060 during the period of such coverage contributions with respect to his or her wages in an amount equal to the employee tax imposed by the federal insurance contributions act (section 3101, Internal Revenue Code of 1954), in consideration of the employee's retention in service by the political subdivision. The subdivision shall withhold such contributions from the wages paid to the employee; and shall remit the contributions so withheld in each calendar quarter to the state for deposit in the contribution account not later than the twentieth calendar day of the month following that quarter. (8) Each political subdivision shall pay into the contribution account with respect to the wages of its employees during the period of their OASI coverage pursuant to this plan contributions in an amount equal to the employer tax imposed by the federal insurance contributions act (section 3111, Internal Revenue Code of 1954), from the fund of the subdivision from which such employees' wages are paid. The subdivision shall remit such contributions to the state for deposit in the contribution account on a quarterly basis, not later than the twentieth calendar day of the month following each calendar quarter. (9) If any political subdivision other than that comprising the state, its agencies, instrumentalities, and institutions of higher learning fails to remit as provided herein employer contributions or employee contributions, or any part of either, such delinquent contributions may be recovered with interest at the rate of six percent per annum by action in a court of competent jurisdiction against the political subdivision; or such delinquent contributions may at the request of the governor be deducted from any moneys payable to such subdivision by the state. (10) Each political subdivision shall be charged with a share of the cost of administration of this plan by the state, to be computed as that proportion of the overall cost of administration which its total annual contributions bear to the total annual contributions paid by all subdivisions on behalf of employees covered by the plan. The state shall compute the share of cost allocable to each subdivision and bill the subdivision therefor at the end of each fiscal year. The subdivision shall within ninety days thereafter remit its share of the cost to the state for deposit in the general fund of the state. (11) Each political subdivision shall submit to the state, through the employment security department, P.O. Box 367, Olympia, Washington, or such other officer or agency as the governor may subsequently designate, on forms furnished by the state, not later than the twentieth calendar day of the month following the end of each calendar quarter, the following information: A. The social security account number of each employee; B. The name of each employee; C. The amount of wages subject to contributions as required hereunder paid to each employee during the quarter; D. The total amount of wages subject to contributions paid to all employees during the quarter; E. The total amount of employee contributions withheld and remitted for the quarter; and F. The total amount of employer contributions paid by the subdivision for the quarter. (12) Each political subdivision shall furnish in the same manner as provided in subsection (11) [of this section], upon reasonable notice, such other and further reports or information as the governor may from time to time require. Each subdivision shall comply with such requirements as the secretary of health, education, and welfare or the governor may from time to time establish with respect to any or all of the reports or information which are or may be provided for under subsection (11) [of this section] or this subsection in order to assure the correctness and verification thereof. (13) The governing body of each political subdivision shall designate an officer of the subdivision to administer such accounting, reporting, and other functions as will be required for the effective operation of this plan within the subdivision, as provided herein. The commissioner of employment security, or such other officer as the governor may designate, shall perform or supervise those functions with respect to employees of the subdivision comprising the state, its agencies, instrumentalities, and institutions of higher learning; and shall serve as the representative of the participating political subdivisions in the administration of this plan with the secretary of health, education, and welfare. (14) OASI coverage may be made applicable as provided herein to employees of any political subdivision regardless of the approval or disapproval of this plan by any other subdivision. (15) Each political subdivision, with the approval of a majority of its employees as indicated by vote thereon in conjunction with the referendum to be held pursuant to RCW 41.48.030 (3) and (4), may designate the first day of any month beginning with January of 1955 as the effective date of OASI coverage for such employees; except that after January 1, 1958, a subdivision may not so designate an effective date prior to the first day of the current calendar year. (16) The governor may terminate the operation of this plan in its entirety with respect to any political subdivision, in his or her discretion, if he or she finds that the subdivision has failed to comply substantially with any requirement or provision of this plan. The plan shall not be so terminated until reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing thereon have been given to the subdivision under such conditions, consistent with the provisions of the social security act, as shall have been established in regulations by the governor.
RCW 41.40.748 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 748
RCW 41.40.748: Commercial vehicle enforcement officers—Limited optional transfer to Washington state patrol retirement system.
Status: in_force

(1) Active members of the Washington state patrol retirement system who have previously established service credit in the public employees' retirement system plan 2 while employed in the state patrol as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer, and who became a commissioned officer after July 1, 2000, and prior to June 30, 2001, have the following options: (a) Remain a member of the public employees' retirement system; or (b) Transfer service credit earned under the retirement system as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer to the Washington state patrol retirement system by making an irrevocable choice filed in writing with the department of retirement systems within one year of the department's announcement of the ability to make such a transfer. (2)(a) Any commissioned officer choosing to transfer under this section shall have transferred from the retirement system to the Washington state patrol retirement system: (i) All the employee's applicable accumulated contributions plus interest, and an equal amount of employer contributions attributed to such employee; and (ii) All applicable months of service as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer credited to the employee under this chapter as though that service was rendered as a member of the Washington state patrol retirement system. (b) For the applicable period of service, the employee shall pay: (i) The difference between the contributions the employee paid to the retirement system, and the contributions which would have been paid by the employee had the employee been a member of the Washington state patrol retirement system, plus interest as determined by the director. This payment shall be made no later than December 31, 2010, or the date of retirement, whichever comes first; (ii) The difference between the employer contributions paid to the public employees' retirement system, and the employer contributions which would have been payable to the Washington state patrol retirement system; and (iii) An amount sufficient to ensure that the funding status of the Washington state patrol retirement system will not change due to this transfer. (c) If the payment required by this subsection is not paid in full by the deadline, the transferred service credit shall not be used to determine eligibility for benefits nor to calculate benefits under the Washington state patrol retirement system. In such case, the employee's accumulated contributions plus interest transferred under this subsection, and any payments made under this subsection, shall be refunded to the employee. The employer shall be entitled to a credit for the employer contributions transferred under this subsection. (d) An individual who transfers service credit and contributions under this subsection is permanently excluded from the public employees' retirement system for all service as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer.
RCW 41.40.408 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 408
RCW 41.40.408: District or municipal court judges retirement allowances—In lieu of RCW 41.40.185.
Status: in_force

(1) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.185 , the retirement allowance payable for service as a district court judge or municipal court judge, for those judges who elected to participate under RCW 41.40.127 (1), shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service earned after the election. The total retirement benefit accrued or purchased under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to the election shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation. (2) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.185 , the retirement allowance payable for service as a district court judge, or municipal court judge, for those judges newly elected or appointed after January 1, 2007, and who are not eligible for membership under chapter 41.28 RCW, shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service after January 1, 2007. The total retirement benefits accrued under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to January 1, 2007, shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.
RCW 41.35.599 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 599
RCW 41.35.599: Provisions applicable to plan 2.
Status: in_force

RCW 41.35.400 through 41.35.510 apply only to plan 2 members.
RCW 41.06.098 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 098
RCW 41.06.098: Puget Sound partnership—Certain personnel exempted from chapter.
Status: in_force

In addition to the exemptions under RCW 41.06.070 , the provisions of this chapter shall not apply in the Puget Sound partnership to the executive director, to one confidential secretary, and to all professional staff.
RCW 41.76.065 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 76 / Section 065
RCW 41.76.065: Strikes and lockouts prohibited—Violations—Remedies.
Status: in_force

The right of faculty to engage in any strike is prohibited. The right of a board of regents or trustees to engage in any lockout is prohibited. Should either a strike or lockout occur, the representative of the faculty or board of regents or trustees may invoke the jurisdiction of the superior court in the county in which the labor dispute exists, and such court has jurisdiction to issue an appropriate order against either or both parties. In fashioning an order, the court shall take into consideration not only the elements necessary for injunctive relief but also the purpose and goals of this chapter and any mitigating factors such as the commission of an unfair labor practice by either party.
RCW 41.28.100 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 28 / Section 100
RCW 41.28.100: City obligated to contribute.
Status: in_force

The payments of the city due the retirement fund as provided for in this chapter are hereby made obligations of the city as defined in this chapter. The board shall annually, on or before the tenth day of July each year, prepare and submit to the city council or city commission an estimate of the amounts necessary to meet such obligations, and the city council or city commission shall provide for the raising of such amounts as are necessary to make such payments.
RCW 41.16.120 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 16 / Section 120
RCW 41.16.120: Payment on death in line of duty.
Status: in_force

Whenever any active firefighter or firefighter retired for disability shall die as the result of an accident or other fortuitous event occurring while in the performance of his or her duty, his widow or her widower may elect to accept a monthly pension equal to one-half the deceased firefighter's salary but in no case in excess of one hundred fifty dollars per month, or the sum of five thousand dollars cash. The right of election must be exercised within sixty days of the firefighter's death. If not so exercised, the pension benefits shall become fixed and shall be paid from the date of death. Such pension shall cease if, and when, he or she remarries. If there is no widow or widower, then such pension benefits shall be paid to his or her child or children.
RCW 41.58.080 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 58 / Section 080
RCW 41.58.080: Organizing petitions—Electronic signatures.
Status: in_force

(1) For any new organizing petition to form a new bargaining unit of currently unrepresented workers or to add unrepresented workers to an existing bargaining unit, regardless of whether the election is by mail ballot or cross-check, the public employment relations commission must accept electronic signatures, subject to the requirements set forth in this section and by rules adopted by the commission. (2) At a minimum, electronic signature submissions must include: (a) The name of the signer; (b) The phone number, email address, or social media account of the signer; (c) The exact authorization language to which the signer assents; (d) The date of submission of the electronic signature; and (e) The name of the signer's employer. (3) The petitioning party must provide a declaration that: (a) Identifies the technology used to obtain and verify the signature; (b) Provides the methods used to ensure the authenticity of the signature; and (c) Confirms the information transmitted to the signer was the same information to which the signer assented. (4) The public employment relations commission must adopt rules to implement this section.
RCW 41.37.250 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 37 / Section 250
RCW 41.37.250: Death benefits.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in RCW 11.07.010 , if a member or a vested member who has not completed at least ten years of service dies, the amount of the accumulated contributions standing to that member's credit in the retirement system at the time of the member's death, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid to the member's estate, or the person or persons, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, the member's accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit in the retirement system, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse as if in fact that spouse had been nominated by written designation, or if there is no surviving spouse, then to the member's legal representatives. (2) If a member who is eligible for retirement or a member who has completed at least ten years of service dies, the surviving spouse or eligible child or children shall elect to receive either: (a) A retirement allowance computed as provided for in RCW 41.37.210 , actuarially reduced by the amount of any lump sum benefit identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 and actuarially adjusted to reflect a joint and one hundred percent survivor option under RCW 41.37.170 and, except under subsection (4) of this section, if the member was not eligible for normal retirement at the date of death a further reduction as described in RCW 41.37.210 ; if a surviving spouse who is receiving a retirement allowance dies leaving a child or children of the member under the age of majority, then the child or children shall continue to receive an allowance in an amount equal to that which was being received by the surviving spouse, share and share alike, until the child or children reach the age of majority; if there is no surviving spouse eligible to receive an allowance at the time of the member's death, the member's child or children under the age of majority shall receive an allowance, share and share alike, calculated under this section making the assumption that the ages of the spouse and member were equal at the time of the member's death; or (b) The member's accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 . (3) If a member who is eligible for retirement or a member who has completed at least ten years of service dies and is not survived by a spouse or an eligible child, then the accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid: (a) To a person or persons, estate, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department; or (b) If there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, then to the member's legal representatives. (4) A member who is killed in the course of employment, as determined by the director of the department of labor and industries, or a member who has left the employ of an employer due to service in the national guard or military reserves and dies while honorably serving in the national guard or military reserves during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 , is not subject to reduction under RCW 41.37.210 . The member's retirement allowance is computed under RCW 41.37.190 .