RCW 50A.30.020 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 30 / Section 020
RCW 50A.30.020: Employee eligibility.
Status: in_force

(1) To be eligible for any family and medical leave, an employee must be in employment for eight hundred twenty hours during the qualifying period, by an employer with a voluntary plan or an employer utilizing the state family and medical leave plan. An employee qualifies for benefits under an employer's voluntary plan after the employee works at least three hundred forty hours for the current employer. (2) An employer with an approved voluntary plan may waive the requirements in subsection (1) of this section, in whole or in part, to allow an employee to be immediately eligible for coverage under the employer's voluntary plan. (3) An employee who had coverage under the state plan retains coverage under the state plan until such time as the employee is qualified for coverage under the new employer's voluntary plan. (4) An employee who was eligible for benefits under a voluntary plan is immediately eligible for benefits under a new employer's voluntary plan.
RCW 50.04.140 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 140
RCW 50.04.140: Employment—Exception tests.
Status: in_force

Services performed by an individual for remuneration shall be deemed to be employment subject to this title unless and until it is shown to the satisfaction of the commissioner that: (1)(a) Such individual has been and will continue to be free from control or direction over the performance of such service, both under his or her contract of service and in fact; and (b) Such service is either outside the usual course of business for which such service is performed, or that such service is performed outside of all the places of business of the enterprises for which such service is performed; and (c) Such individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business, of the same nature as that involved in the contract of service. (2) Or as a separate alternative, it shall not constitute employment subject to this title if it is shown that: (a) Such individual has been and will continue to be free from control or direction over the performance of such service, both under his or her contract of service and in fact; and (b) Such service is either outside the usual course of business for which such service is performed, or that such service is performed outside of all the places of business of the enterprises for which such service is performed, or the individual is responsible, both under the contract and in fact, for the costs of the principal place of business from which the service is performed; and (c) Such individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business, of the same nature as that involved in the contract of service, or such individual has a principal place of business for the work the individual is conducting that is eligible for a business deduction for federal income tax purposes; and (d) On the effective date of the contract of service, such individual is responsible for filing at the next applicable filing period, both under the contract of service and in fact, a schedule of expenses with the internal revenue service for the type of business the individual is conducting; and (e) On the effective date of the contract of service, or within a reasonable period after the effective date of the contract, such individual has established an account with the department of revenue, and other state agencies as required by the particular case, for the business the individual is conducting for the payment of all state taxes normally paid by employers and businesses and has registered for and received a unified business identifier number from the state of Washington; and (f) On the effective date of the contract of service, such individual is maintaining a separate set of books or records that reflect all items of income and expenses of the business which the individual is conducting.
RCW 50.44.080 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 44 / Section 080
RCW 50.44.080: Construction—Compliance with federal unemployment tax act, department of labor guidelines.
Status: in_force

In view of the importance of compliance of this chapter with the federal unemployment tax act, any ambiguities contained herein should be resolved in a manner consistent with the provisions of that act. Department of labor guidelines implementing chapter 99, Laws of 2001 should be referred to when interpreting the provisions of this chapter. Language in this chapter concerning the extension of coverage to employers entitled to make payments in lieu of contributions should, in a manner consistent with the foregoing paragraph, be construed so as to have a minimum financial impact on the employers subject to the experience rating provisions of this title.
RCW 50.20.230 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 20 / Section 230
RCW 50.20.230: Electronic labor exchange system.
Status: in_force

The employment security department will ensure that within a reasonably short period of time after the initiation of benefits, all unemployment insurance claimants, except those with employer attachment, union referral, individuals complying with an electrical apprenticeship training program that includes a recognized referral system under apprenticeship program standards approved by the Washington state apprenticeship and training council, in commissioner-approved training, or the subject of antiharassment orders, register for job search in an electronic labor exchange system that supports direct employer access for the purpose of selecting job applicants.
RCW 50.12.045 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 12 / Section 045
RCW 50.12.045: Contract to issue conditional federal employer identification numbers, credentials, and documents in conjunction with license applications.
Status: in_force

The commissioner may contract with the federal internal revenue service, or other appropriate federal agency, to issue conditional federal employer identification numbers, or other federal credentials or documents, at specified offices and locations of the agency in conjunction with any application for state licenses under chapter 19.02 RCW.
RCW 50.70.030 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 70 / Section 030
RCW 50.70.030: Employment opportunities—Benefits.
Status: in_force

(1) Employment opportunities under the program shall consist of activities that improve the value of state lands and waters. These activities may include, but are not limited to, thinning and precommercial thinning, pruning, slash removal, reforestation, fire suppression, trail maintenance, maintenance of recreational facilities, dike repair, development and maintenance of tourist facilities, and stream enhancement. (2) Enrollees in the program shall receive medical and dental benefits as provided under chapter 41.05 RCW, but are exempt from the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW. Each week, enrollees shall not work more than thirty-two hours in this program and must participate in eight hours of career orientation as established in RCW 50.70.040 . Participation in the program is limited to six months.
RCW 50.20.050 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 20 / Section 050
RCW 50.20.050: Disqualification for leaving work voluntarily without good cause.
Status: in_force

(1) With respect to separations that occur on or after September 6, 2009, and for separations that occur before April 4, 2021: (a) A claimant shall be disqualified from benefits beginning with the first day of the calendar week in which the claimant left work voluntarily without good cause and thereafter for seven calendar weeks and until the claimant obtains bona fide work in employment covered by this title and earned wages in that employment equal to seven times the claimant's weekly benefit amount. Good cause reasons to leave work are limited to reasons listed in (b) of this subsection. The disqualification shall continue if the work obtained is a mere sham to qualify for benefits and is not bona fide work. In determining whether work is of a bona fide nature, the commissioner shall consider factors including but not limited to the following: (i) The duration of the work; (ii) The extent of direction and control by the employer over the work; and (iii) The level of skill required for the work in light of the claimant's training and experience. (b) A claimant has good cause and is not disqualified from benefits under (a) of this subsection only under the following circumstances: (i) The claimant has left work to accept a bona fide offer of bona fide work as described in (a) of this subsection; (ii) The separation was necessary because of the illness or disability of the claimant or the death, illness, or disability of a member of the claimant's immediate family if: (A) The claimant pursued all reasonable alternatives to preserve the claimant's employment status by requesting a leave of absence, by having promptly notified the employer of the reason for the absence, and by having promptly requested reemployment when again able to assume employment. These alternatives need not be pursued, however, when they would have been a futile act, including those instances when the futility of the act was a result of a recognized labor/management dispatch system; and (B) The claimant terminated the claimant's employment status, and is not entitled to be reinstated to the same position or a comparable or similar position; (iii) The claimant: (A) Left work to relocate for the employment of a spouse or domestic partner that is outside the existing labor market area; and (B) remained employed as long as was reasonable prior to the move; (iv) The separation was necessary to protect the claimant or the claimant's immediate family members from domestic violence, as defined in RCW 7.105.010 , or stalking, as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 ; (v) The claimant's usual compensation was reduced by twenty-five percent or more; (vi) The claimant's usual hours were reduced by twenty-five percent or more; (vii) The claimant's worksite changed, such change caused a material increase in distance or difficulty of travel, and, after the change, the commute was greater than is customary for workers in the claimant's job classification and labor market; (viii) The claimant's worksite safety deteriorated, the claimant reported such safety deterioration to the employer, and the employer failed to correct the hazards within a reasonable period of time; (ix) The claimant left work because of illegal activities in the claimant's worksite, the claimant reported such activities to the employer, and the employer failed to end such activities within a reasonable period of time; (x) The claimant's usual work was changed to work that violates the claimant's religious convictions or sincere moral beliefs; or (xi) The claimant left work to enter an apprenticeship program approved by the Washington state apprenticeship training council. Benefits are payable beginning Sunday of the week prior to the week in which the claimant begins active participation in the apprenticeship program. (2) With respect to separations that occur on or after April 4, 2021: (a) A claimant shall be disqualified from benefits beginning with the first day of the calendar week in which the claimant has left work voluntarily without good cause and thereafter for seven calendar weeks and until the claimant has obtained bona fide work in employment covered by this title and earned wages in that employment equal to seven times the claimant's weekly benefit amount. Good cause reasons to leave work are limited to reasons listed in (b) of this subsection. The disqualification shall continue if the work obtained is a mere sham to qualify for benefits and is not bona fide work. In determining whether work is of a bona fide nature, the commissioner shall consider factors including but not limited to the following: (i) The duration of the work; (ii) The extent of direction and control by the employer over the work; and (iii) The level of skill required for the work in light of the claimant's training and experience. (b) A claimant has good cause and is not disqualified from benefits under (a) of this subsection only under the following circumstances: (i) The claimant has left work to accept a bona fide offer of bona fide work as described in (a) of this subsection; (ii) The separation was necessary because: Of the illness or disability of the claimant; of the death, illness, or disability of a member of the claimant's immediate family for separations that occur before September 3, 2023; of the death, illness, or disability of a family member for separations that occur on or after September 3, 2023; or the care for a child or a vulnerable adult in the claimant's care is inaccessible for separations that occur on or after July 7, 2024, and before July 8, 2029. However, to qualify based on a circumstance in this subsection (2)(b)(ii), the following requirements must be met: (A) The claimant made reasonable efforts to preserve the claimant's employment status by requesting changes in working conditions or work schedule that would accommodate the death, illness, disability, or caregiving inaccessibility, or by requesting a leave of absence, promptly notifying the employer of the reason for the absence, and promptly requesting reemployment when again able to assume employment. These alternatives need not be pursued, however, when they would have been a futile act, including those instances when the futility of the act was a result of a recognized labor/management dispatch system; and (B) The claimant terminated the claimant's employment status, and is not entitled to be reinstated to the same position or a comparable or similar position; (iii) The claimant: (A) Left work to relocate for the employment of a spouse or domestic partner that is outside the existing labor market area; and (B) remained employed as long as was reasonable prior to the move; (iv) The separation was necessary to protect the claimant or the claimant's immediate family members from domestic violence, as defined in RCW 7.105.010 , or stalking, as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 ; (v) The claimant's usual compensation was reduced by twenty-five percent or more; (vi) The claimant's usual hours were reduced by twenty-five percent or more; (vii) The claimant's worksite changed, such change caused a material increase in distance or difficulty of travel, and, after the change, the commute was greater than is customary for workers in the individual's job classification and labor market; (viii) The claimant's worksite safety deteriorated, the claimant reported such safety deterioration to the employer, and the employer failed to correct the hazards within a reasonable period of time; (ix) The claimant left work because of illegal activities in the claimant's worksite, the claimant reported such activities to the employer, and the employer failed to end such activities within a reasonable period of time; (x) The claimant's usual work was changed to work that violates the claimant's religious convictions or sincere moral beliefs; (xi) The claimant left work to enter an apprenticeship program approved by the Washington state apprenticeship training council. Benefits are payable beginning Sunday of the week prior to the week in which the claimant begins active participation in the apprenticeship program; (xii) During a public health emergency: (A) The claimant was unable to perform the claimant's work for the employer from the claimant's home; (B) The claimant is able to perform, available to perform, and can actively seek suitable work which can be performed for an employer from the claimant's home; and (C) The claimant or another individual residing with the claimant is at higher risk of severe illness or death from the disease that is the subject of the public health emergency because the higher risk individual: (I) Was in an age category that is defined as high risk for the disease that is the subject of the public health emergency by the federal centers for disease control and prevention, the department of health, or the equivalent agency in the state where the individual resides; or (II) Has an underlying health condition, verified as required by the department by rule, that is identified as a risk factor for the disease that is the subject of the public health emergency by the federal centers for disease control and prevention, the department of health, or the equivalent agency in the state where the individual resides; (xiii) For separations that occur on or after July 7, 2024, the claimant: (A) Left work to relocate in order to follow a minor child who moved outside of the claimant's labor market; (B) remained employed as long as was reasonable prior to relocating; and (C) had parental rights over the minor child at the time of the job separation; or (xiv) For separations that occur on or after July 7, 2024, the claimant had a regularly scheduled shift or split shift start or end time for the prior 90 calendar days, and the employer, without request by the claimant and not based on a system of seniority, changed the regularly scheduled shift or split shift start or end time by six or more hours for that shift on a nontemporary basis. (3) With respect to claims that occur on or after July 4, 2021, a claimant has good cause and is not disqualified from benefits under subsection (2)(a) of this section under the following circumstances, in addition to those listed under subsection (2)(b) of this section, if, during a public health emergency, the claimant worked at a health care facility as defined in RCW 9A.50.010 , was directly involved in the delivery of health services, and left work for the period of quarantine consistent with the recommended guidance from the United States centers for disease control and prevention or subject to the direction of the state or local health jurisdiction because of exposure to or contracting the disease that is the subject of the declaration of the public health emergency. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a claimant who was simultaneously employed in full-time employment and part-time employment and is otherwise eligible for benefits from the loss of the full-time employment shall not be disqualified from benefits because the claimant: (a) Voluntarily quit the part-time employment before the loss of the full-time employment; and (b) Did not have prior knowledge that the claimant would be separated from full-time employment.
RCW 50.04.255 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 255
RCW 50.04.255: Employment—Appraisal practitioner services.
Status: in_force

The term "employment" does not include services performed by an appraisal practitioner certified or licensed under chapter 18.140 RCW in an appraisal business if the use of the business facilities is contingent upon compensation to the owner of the business facilities and the person receives no compensation from the owner for the services performed. This exemption does not include services performed by an appraisal practitioner certified or licensed under chapter 18.140 RCW for an employer under chapter 50.44 RCW.
RCW 50.04.300 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 300
RCW 50.04.300: State.
Status: in_force

"State" includes, in addition to the states of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
RCW 50.76.020 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 76 / Section 020
RCW 50.76.020: Relocation to foreign country—Requirements—Penalties.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) An employer that intends to relocate a call center, or one or more facilities or operating units within a call center comprising at least 25 percent of the call center's or operating unit's total volume when measured against the previous 12-month average call volume of operations or substantially similar operations from the state to a foreign country must notify the commissioner at least 120 days before such relocation. (b) For state agencies, the requirements in this subsection only apply to relocations to a foreign country, not to another state. (c) For state agencies, the requirements in this subsection do not apply to any facilities or other operations in which the primary activity or work is providing language interpretation services. (2) An employer that violates subsection (1) of this section is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each day of such violation, except that the commissioner may reduce such amount if the governor or the president has declared a state of emergency for the location of the call center. (3) The commissioner must compile a semiannual list of all employers that have notified the commissioner under subsection (1) of this section and post the list on the employment security department's website. The commissioner must also distribute the list to all state agencies.
RCW 50.20.098 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 20 / Section 098
RCW 50.20.098: Services performed by alien.
Status: in_force

(1) Benefits shall not be paid on the basis of services performed by an alien unless the alien is an individual who was lawfully admitted for permanent residence, was lawfully present for purposes of performing such services, or otherwise was permanently residing in the United States under color of law at the time such services were performed, including an alien who was lawfully present in the United States as a result of the application of the provisions of 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1182(d)(5): PROVIDED, That any modifications to 26 U.S.C. Sec. 3304(a)(14) as provided by PL 94-566 which specify other conditions or other effective date than stated herein for the denial of benefits based on services performed by aliens and which modifications are required to be implemented under state law as a condition for full tax credit against the tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. Sec. 3301 shall be deemed applicable under this section. (2) Any data or information required of individuals applying for benefits to determine whether benefits are not payable to them because of their alien status shall be uniformly required from all applicants for benefits. (3) In the case of an individual whose application for benefits would otherwise be approved, no determination that benefits to the individual are not payable because of his or her alien status shall be made except upon a preponderance of the evidence.
RCW 50.44.053 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 44 / Section 053
RCW 50.44.053: Education employees—Determination of "contract" or "reasonable assurance."
Status: in_force

(1) The following prerequisite requirements must be met before making a determination about whether there is a "contract," under RCW 50.44.050 , or "reasonable assurance," under RCW 50.44.050 and 50.44.055 : (a) The offer of employment may be written, verbal, or implied, and must be made by an individual with actual authority to offer employment; (b) The offer of employment provides that the employee will perform services in the same capacity during the ensuing academic year or term (or remainder of the current academic year or term) as in the first academic year or term; and (c) The economic conditions of the offer of employment may not be considerably less in the following academic year or term (or portion thereof) than in the first academic year or term (or portion thereof). "Considerably less" includes the condition that the individual will not earn at least ninety percent of the wages earned in the prior academic year or term. (2) If all prerequisite requirements in subsection (1) of this section are satisfied, the department must determine if a contract exists. If any prerequisite in subsection (1) of this section is not satisfied, the department may not deny the claimant unemployment compensation based on the between and within term denial provisions. The term "contract," as that term is used in this section and RCW 50.44.050 , means an enforceable, noncontingent agreement that provides for compensation for an entire academic year or on an annual basis. If a contract exists, the claimant may be subject to a denial of benefits. (3) If no contract exists, the department must determine if the claimant has "reasonable assurance." The following factors will be considered in determining if an individual has "reasonable assurance," as that term is used in this section, RCW 50.44.050 , and 50.44.055 . For reasonable assurance to exist, each factor must be satisfied. (a) If any contingencies in the employment offer are within the employer's control the claimant will not be considered to have reasonable assurance of employment. Contingencies within the employer's control include, but are not limited to: (i) Course programming; (ii) Funding allocation decisions; (iii) Final course offerings; and (iv) Facility availability. (b) If contingencies are not within the employer's control, the department must determine whether it is highly probable the contingencies contained within the offer will be satisfied. Primary weight will be given to the contingent nature of an offer of employment. (c) Reasonable assurance must be determined on a case-by-case basis considering the totality of circumstances rather than on the existence of any one factor. For an individual to have reasonable assurance of employment, the totality of the circumstances must show that it is highly probable that employment will be available in the next academic year or term, and that the contingencies of that employment will be satisfied. (4) An individual who is tenured or holds tenure track status is considered to have reasonable assurance, unless advised otherwise by the college. For the purposes of this section, tenure track status means a probationary faculty employee having an opportunity to be reviewed for tenure.
RCW 50B.04.195 — Washington Code / Title 50B / Chapter 04 / Section 195
RCW 50B.04.195: Reports, information, and premiums—Unpaid premiums—Penalties for unpaid premiums.
Status: in_force

(1) At any time after the commissioner of the employment security department finds that any premiums, interest, or penalties have become delinquent, the commissioner of the employment security department may issue an order and notice of assessment specifying the amount due. The order and notice of assessment shall be served upon the delinquent employer in the manner prescribed for the service of a summons in a civil action, or using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed. Failure of the employer to receive the notice or order, whether served or mailed, shall not release the employer from any tax, or any interest or penalties. (2) If the commissioner of the employment security department has reason to believe that an employer is insolvent or if any reason exists why the collection of any premiums accrued will be jeopardized by delaying collection, the commissioner of the employment security department may make an immediate assessment of the premiums and may proceed to enforce collection immediately, but interest and penalties shall not begin to accrue upon any premiums until the date when such premiums would normally have become delinquent. (3) If premiums are not paid on the date on which they are due and payable as prescribed by the commissioner of the employment security department, the whole or part thereof remaining unpaid shall bear interest at the rate of one percent per month or fraction thereof from and after such date until payment plus accrued interest is received by the commissioner of the employment security department. The date as of which payment of premiums, if mailed, is deemed to have been received may be determined by such regulations as the commissioner of the employment security department may prescribe. Interest collected pursuant to this section shall be paid into the account. Interest shall not accrue on premiums from any estate in the hands of a receiver, executor, administrator, trustee in bankruptcy, common law assignee, or other liquidating officer subsequent to the date when such receiver, executor, administrator, trustee in bankruptcy, common law assignee, or other liquidating officer qualifies as such, but premiums accruing with respect to employment of persons by any receiver, executor, administrator, trustee in bankruptcy, common law assignee, or other liquidating officer shall become due and shall draw interest in the same manner as premiums due from other employers. Where adequate information has been furnished to the employment security department and the employment security department has failed to act or has advised the employer of no liability or inability to decide the issue, interest may be waived. (4)(a) If the amount of premiums, interest, or penalties assessed by the commissioner of the employment security department by order and notice of assessment provided in this chapter is not paid within 10 days after the service or mailing of the order and notice of assessment, the commissioner of the employment security department or a duly authorized representative may collect the amount stated in the assessment by the distraint, seizure, and sale of the property, goods, chattels, and effects of the delinquent employer. Goods and property that are exempt from execution under the laws of this state are exempt from distraint and sale under this section. (b) The commissioner of the employment security department, upon making a distraint, shall seize the property and shall make an inventory of the distrained property, a copy of which shall be mailed to the owner of the property or personally delivered to the owner, and shall specify the time and place when the property shall be sold. A notice specifying the property to be sold and the time and place of sale shall be posted in at least two public places in the county in which the seizure has been made. The time of sale shall be not less than 10 nor more than 20 days from the date of posting of the notices. The sale may be adjourned from time to time at the discretion of the commissioner of the employment security department, but not for a time to exceed a total of 60 days. The sale shall be conducted by the commissioner of the employment security department or a representative who shall proceed to sell the property by parcel or by lot at a public auction, and who may set a minimum price to include the expenses of making a levy and of advertising the sale, and if the amount bid for such property at the sale is not equal to the minimum price so fixed, the commissioner of the employment security department or a representative may declare the property to be purchased by the employment security department for the minimum price. In such event the delinquent account shall be credited with the amount for which the property has been sold. Property acquired by the employment security department as prescribed in this subsection (4) may be sold by the commissioner of the employment security department or a representative at public or private sale, and the amount realized shall be placed in the account. In all cases of sale under this subsection (4), the commissioner of the employment security department shall issue a bill of sale or a deed to the purchaser and the bill of sale or deed shall be prima facie evidence of the right of the commissioner of the employment security department to make the sale and conclusive evidence of the regularity of the commissioner of the employment security department proceeding in making the sale, and shall transfer to the purchaser all right, title, and interest of the delinquent employer in the property. The proceeds of any sale under this subsection (4), except in those cases in which the property has been acquired by the employment security department, shall be first applied by the commissioner of the employment security department in satisfaction of the delinquent account, and out of any sum received in excess of the amount of delinquent premiums, interest, and penalties the account shall be reimbursed for the costs of distraint and sale. Any excess amounts held by the commissioner of the employment security department shall be refunded to the delinquent employer. Amounts held by the commissioner of the employment security department that are refundable to a delinquent employer may be subject to seizure or distraint by any other taxing authority of the state or its political subdivisions. (5) The commissioner of the employment security department may issue to any person, firm, corporation, political subdivision, or department of the state, a notice and order to withhold and deliver property of any kind when the commissioner of the employment security department has reason to believe that there is in the possession of such person, firm, corporation, political subdivision, or department, property which is due, owing, or belonging to any person, firm, or corporation upon whom the employment security department has served a notice and order of assessment for premiums, interest, or penalties. The effect of a notice to withhold and deliver shall be continuous from the date the notice and order to withhold and deliver is first made until the liability is satisfied or becomes unenforceable because of a lapse of time. The notice and order to withhold and deliver shall be served by the sheriff or the sheriff's deputy of the county in which the service is made, using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed, or by any duly authorized representative of the commissioner of the employment security department. Any person, firm, corporation, political subdivision, or department upon whom service has been made must answer the notice within 20 days exclusive of the day of service, under oath and in writing, and must truthfully answer the matters inquired of in the notice. In the event there is in the possession of any such person, firm, corporation, political subdivision, or department, any property which may be subject to the claim of the employment security department of the state, the property must be delivered immediately to the commissioner of the employment security department or a representative upon demand to be held in trust by the commissioner of the employment security department for application on the indebtedness involved or for return, without interest, in accordance with final determination of liability or nonliability, or in the alternative, a good and sufficient bond satisfactory to the commissioner of the employment security department must be provided conditioned upon final determination of liability. If any person, firm, or corporation fails to answer an order to withhold and deliver within the time prescribed in this subsection (5), it shall be lawful for the court, after the time to answer the order has expired, to render judgment by default against such person, firm, or corporation for the full amount claimed by the commissioner in the notice to withhold and deliver, together with costs. (6) Whenever any order and notice of assessment or jeopardy assessment has become final in accordance with the provisions of this chapter the commissioner of the employment security department may file with the clerk of any county within the state a warrant in the amount of the notice of assessment plus interest, penalties, and a filing fee under RCW 36.18.012 (10). The clerk of the county in which the warrant is filed shall immediately designate a superior court cause number for the warrant, and the clerk shall cause to be entered in the judgment docket under the superior court cause number assigned to the warrant, the name of the employer mentioned in the warrant, the amount of the tax, interest, penalties, and filing fee and the date when such warrant was filed. The aggregate amount of the warrant as docketed shall become a lien upon the title to, and interest in all real and personal property of the employer against whom the warrant is issued, the same as a judgment in a civil case duly docketed in the office of such clerk. The warrant so docketed shall be sufficient to support the issuance of writs of execution and writs of garnishment in favor of the state in the manner provided by law in the case of civil judgment, wholly or partially unsatisfied. The clerk of the court shall be entitled to a filing fee under RCW 36.18.012 (10), which shall be added to the amount of the warrant, and charged by the commissioner of the employment security department to the employer. A copy of the warrant shall be mailed to the employer using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed within five days of filing with the clerk. (7) The claim of the employment security department for any premiums, interest, or penalties not paid when due, shall be a lien prior to all other liens or claims and on a parity with prior tax liens against all property and rights to property, whether real or personal, belonging to the employer. In order to avail itself of the lien hereby created, the employment security department shall file with any county auditor where property of the employer is located a statement and claim of lien specifying the amount of delinquent premiums, interest, and penalties claimed by the employment security department. From the time of filing for record, the amount required to be paid shall constitute a lien upon all property and rights to property, whether real or personal, in the county, owned by the employer or acquired by the employer. The lien shall not be valid against any purchaser, holder of a security interest, mechanic's lien, or judgment lien creditor until notice thereof has been filed with the county auditor. This lien shall be separate and apart from, and in addition to, any other lien or claim created by, or provided for in, this chapter. When any such notice of lien has been so filed, the commissioner of the employment security department may release the lien by filing a certificate of release when it appears that the amount of delinquent premiums, interest, and penalties have been paid, or when the assurance of payment shall be made as the commissioner of the employment security department may deem to be adequate. Fees for filing and releasing the lien provided herein may be charged to the employer and may be collected from the employer utilizing the remedies provided in this chapter for the collection of premiums. (8) In the event of any distribution of an employer's assets pursuant to an order of any court, including any receivership, probate, legal dissolution, or similar proceeding, or in case of any assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, or similar proceeding, premiums, interest, or penalties due shall be a lien upon all the assets of such employer. The lien is prior to all other liens or claims except prior tax liens, other liens provided by this chapter, and claims for remuneration for services of not more than $250 to each claimant earned within six months of the commencement of the proceeding. The mere existence of a condition of insolvency or the institution of any judicial proceeding for legal dissolution or of any proceeding for distribution of assets shall cause such a lien to attach without action on behalf of the commissioner of the employment security department or the state. In the event of an employer's adjudication in bankruptcy, judicially confirmed extension proposal, or composition, under the federal bankruptcy act of 1898, as amended, premiums, interest, or penalties due shall be entitled to such priority as provided in that act, as amended. (9)(a) If after due notice, any employer defaults in any payment of premiums, interest, or penalties, the amount due may be collected by civil action in the name of the state, and the employer adjudged in default shall pay the cost of such action. Any lien created by this chapter may be foreclosed by decree of the court in any such action. Civil actions brought under this chapter to collect premiums, interest, or penalties from an employer shall be heard by the court at the earliest possible date and shall be entitled to preference upon the calendar of the court over all other civil actions except petitions for judicial review under this chapter, cases arising under the unemployment compensation laws of this state, and cases arising under the industrial insurance laws of this state. (b) Any employer that is not a resident of this state and that exercises the privilege of having one or more individuals perform service for it within this state, and any resident employer that exercises that privilege and thereafter removes from this state, shall be deemed thereby to appoint the secretary of state as its agent and attorney for the acceptance of process in any action under this chapter. In instituting such an action against any such employer the commissioner of the employment security department shall cause process or notice to be filed with the secretary of state and the service shall be sufficient service upon the employer, and shall be of the same force and validity as if served upon it personally within this state: PROVIDED, That the commissioner of the employment security department shall immediately send notice of the service of the process or notice, together with a copy thereof, by registered mail, return receipt requested, to such employer at its last known address and the return receipt, the commissioner's affidavit of compliance with the provisions of this section, and a copy of the notice of service shall be appended to the original of the process filed in the court in which such action is pending. (10) Any employer who is delinquent in the payment of premiums, interest, or penalties may be enjoined upon the suit of the state of Washington from continuing in business in this state or employing persons herein until the delinquent premiums, interest, and penalties have been paid, or until the employer has furnished a good and sufficient bond in a sum equal to double the amount of premiums, interest, and penalties already delinquent, plus further sums as the court deems adequate to protect the employment security department in the collection of premiums, interest, and penalties which will become due from the employer during the next ensuing calendar year, the bond to be conditioned upon payment of all premiums, interest, and penalties due and owing within thirty days after the expiration of the next ensuing calendar year or at an earlier date as the court may fix. Action under this section may be instituted in the superior court of any county of the state in which the employer resides, has its principal place of business, or where it has anyone performing services for it, whether or not those services constitute employment. (11) The commissioner of the employment security department may compromise any claim for premiums, interest, or penalties due and owing from an employer in any case in which collection of the full amount due and owing, whether reduced to judgment or otherwise, would be against equity and good conscience. Whenever a compromise is made by the commissioner of the employment security department in the case of a claim for premiums, interest, or penalties, whether reduced to judgment or otherwise, the employment security department shall file a statement of the amount of premiums, interest, and penalties imposed by law and claimed due, attorneys' fees and costs, if any, a complete record of the compromise agreement, and the amount actually paid in accordance with the terms of the compromise agreement. If any such compromise is accepted by the commissioner of the employment security department, within the time stated in the compromise or agreed to, that compromise shall be final and conclusive and except upon showing of fraud or malfeasance or misrepresentation of a material fact the case shall not be reopened as to the agreed upon matters. In any suit, action, or proceeding, such agreement or any determination, collection, payment, adjustment, refund, or credit made in accordance therewith shall not be annulled, modified, set aside, or disregarded. (12) The commissioner of the employment security department may charge off as uncollectible and no longer an asset of the account, any delinquent premiums, interest, penalties, or credits, if the commissioner of the employment security department is satisfied that there are no cost-effective means of collecting the premiums, interest, penalties, or credits.
RCW 50.12.220 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 12 / Section 220
RCW 50.12.220: Penalties for late reports or contributions—Warning—Assessment—Waiver—Appeal.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5874-S.SL ) ***

(1) If an employer fails to file a timely report as required by RCW 50.12.070 , or the rules adopted pursuant thereto, the employer is subject to a penalty of twenty-five dollars per violation, unless the penalty is waived by the commissioner or subsection (2)(c) of this section applies. (2) An employer who files an incomplete or incorrectly formatted tax and wage report as required by RCW 50.12.070 must receive a warning letter for the first occurrence. The warning letter will provide instructions for accurate reporting or notify the employer how to obtain technical assistance from the department. Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, for subsequent occurrences within five years of the last occurrence, the employer is subject to a penalty as follows: (a) When no contributions are due: For the second occurrence, the penalty is seventy-five dollars; for the third occurrence, the penalty is one hundred fifty dollars; and for the fourth occurrence and for each occurrence thereafter, the penalty is two hundred fifty dollars. (b) When contributions are due: For the second occurrence, the penalty is ten percent of the quarterly contributions due, but not less than seventy-five dollars and not more than two hundred fifty dollars; for the third occurrence, the penalty is ten percent of the quarterly contributions due, but not less than one hundred fifty dollars and not more than two hundred fifty dollars; and for the fourth occurrence and each occurrence thereafter, the penalty is two hundred fifty dollars. (c) An employer whose tax and wage report is incomplete due to a failure to report the standard occupational classification or job title of each worker must pay an incomplete report penalty under this subsection only if the employer knowingly failed to report the standard occupational classification or job title of each worker. (3) If an employer knowingly misrepresents to the employment security department the amount of his or her payroll upon which contributions under this title are based, the employer shall be liable to the state for up to ten times the amount of the difference in contributions paid, if any, and the amount the employer should have paid and for the reasonable expenses of auditing his or her books and collecting such sums. Such liability may be enforced in the name of the department. (4) If contributions are not paid on the date on which they are due and payable as prescribed by the commissioner, there shall be assessed a penalty of five percent of the amount of the contributions for the first month or part thereof of delinquency; there shall be assessed a total penalty of ten percent of the amount of the contributions for the second month or part thereof of delinquency; and there shall be assessed a total penalty of twenty percent of the amount of the contributions for the third month or part thereof of delinquency. No penalty so added shall be less than ten dollars. These penalties are in addition to the interest charges assessed under RCW 50.24.040 . (5) Penalties shall not accrue on contributions from an estate in the hands of a receiver, executor, administrator, trustee in bankruptcy, common law assignee, or other liquidating officer subsequent to the date when such receiver, executor, administrator, trustee in bankruptcy, common law assignee, or other liquidating officer qualifies as such, but contributions accruing with respect to employment of persons by a receiver, executor, administrator, trustee in bankruptcy, common law assignee, or other liquidating officer shall become due and shall be subject to penalties in the same manner as contributions due from other employers. (6) Where adequate information has been furnished to the department and the department has failed to act or has advised the employer of no liability or inability to decide the issue, penalties shall be waived by the commissioner. Penalties may also be waived for good cause if the commissioner determines that the failure to file timely, complete, and correctly formatted reports or pay timely contributions was not due to the employer's fault. (7) Any decision to assess a penalty as provided by this section shall be made by the chief administrative officer of the tax branch or his or her designee. (8) Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny an employer the right to appeal the assessment of any penalty. Such appeal shall be made in the manner provided in RCW 50.32.030 .
RCW 50.60.080 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 60 / Section 080
RCW 50.60.080: Approved plan—Modification.
Status: in_force

An approved shared work compensation plan in effect may be modified with the approval of the commissioner. If the hours of work are increased or decreased beyond the level in the original plan, or any other condition is changed, the employer shall promptly notify the commissioner. If the changes meet the requirements for approval of a plan, the commissioner shall approve the modifications. This approval shall not change the expiration date of the original plan. If the modifications do not meet the requirements for approval, the commissioner shall revoke the plan as specified in RCW 50.60.060 .
RCW 50.60.120 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 60 / Section 120
RCW 50.60.120: Benefits—Exhaustee.
Status: in_force

An individual who has received all of the shared work benefits, or all of the combined unemployment compensation and shared work benefits, available in a benefit year shall be considered an exhaustee for purposes of the extended benefits program under chapter 50.22 RCW, and, if otherwise eligible under that chapter, shall be eligible to receive extended benefits.
RCW 50.65.220 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 65 / Section 220
RCW 50.65.220: Washington serves—Program—Created—Procedure—Intent.
Status: in_force

There is hereby created within the employment security department a program for full-time community service that shall be known and referred to as the Washington serves program. The department shall recruit, train, place, and evaluate applicants to the program. The department may accept applications and enter into agreements or contracts with any governmental or private nonprofit organization appropriate for placement of volunteers under this program. The commissioner, after consultation with the council, may adopt rules as needed to carry out the intent and purposes of this program. It is the intent of the legislature that the commissioner coordinate this program with all volunteer service programs, whether funded with state or federal dollars, in order to maximize the benefits to volunteers and the communities served under the program. It is also the legislature's intent that to the extent that state funds are paid directly to persons that participate in the program, whether to reimburse, support, assist, or provide other direct payment, no volunteer may have such reimbursement, support, assistance, or other payment reduced or withheld for having served in the program.
RCW 50.04.330 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 330
RCW 50.04.330: Wages, remuneration—Retirement and disability payments excepted.
Status: in_force

Prior to January 1, 1951, the term "wages" shall not include the amount of any payment by an employing unit for or on behalf of an individual in its employ under a plan or system established by such employing unit which makes provision for individuals in its employ generally, or for a class or classes of such individuals (including any amount paid by an employing unit for insurance or annuities or into a fund to provide for any payment) on account of retirement, sickness or accident disability, or medical and hospitalization expenses in connection with sickness or accident disability. After December 31, 1950, the term "wages" shall not include: (1) The amount of any payment made (including any amount paid by an employing unit for insurance or annuities, or into a fund to provide for any such payment), to, or on behalf of, an individual or any of his or her dependents under a plan or system established by an employing unit which makes provision generally for individuals performing service for it (or for such individuals generally and their dependents) or for a class or classes of such individuals (or for a class or classes of such individuals and their dependents), on account of (a) retirement, or (b) sickness or accident disability, or (c) medical or hospitalization expenses in connection with sickness or accident disability, or (d) death; (2) The amount of any payment by an employing unit to an individual performing service for it (including any amount paid by an employing unit for insurance or annuities, or into a fund, to provide for any such payment) on account of retirement; (3) The amount of any payment on account of sickness or accident disability, or medical or hospitalization expenses in connection with sickness or accident disability, made by an employing unit to, or on behalf of, an individual performing services for it after the expiration of six calendar months following the last calendar month in which the individual performed services for such employing unit; (4) The amount of any payment made by an employing unit to, or on behalf of, an individual performing services for it or his or her beneficiary (a) from or to a trust exempt from tax under section 165(a) of the federal internal revenue code at the time of such payment unless such payment is made to an individual performing services for the trust as remuneration for such services and not as a beneficiary of the trust, or (b) under or to an annuity plan which, at the time of such payments, meets the requirements of section 165(a)(3), (4), (5), and (6) of the federal internal revenue code; or (5) The amount of any payment (other than vacation or sick pay) made to an individual after the month in which he or she attains the age of sixty-five, if he or she did not perform services for the employing unit in the period for which such payment is made.
RCW 50.70.050 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 70 / Section 050
RCW 50.70.050: Department of natural resources duties.
Status: in_force

(1) The department of natural resources shall enroll candidates in the program from a pool of eligible workers developed by the department. (2) The department of natural resources shall provide compensation for enrollees.
RCW 50.12.072 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 12 / Section 072
RCW 50.12.072: Employer fails to register—Employer fails to obtain employment security account number—Penalties.
Status: in_force

An employer that knowingly fails to register with the department and obtain an employment security account number, as required under RCW 50.12.070 (2), is subject to a penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars per quarter or two times the taxes due per quarter, whichever is greater. This penalty is in addition to all other penalties and is in addition to higher rates for employers that do not meet the definition of "qualified employer" under RCW 50.29.010 . This penalty does not apply if the employer can prove that it had good cause to believe that it was not required to register with the department.
RCW 50.44.060 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 44 / Section 060
RCW 50.44.060: Nonprofit organization employees—Financing of benefits—Election of payments in lieu of contributions.
Status: in_force

Benefits paid to employees of "nonprofit organizations" shall be financed in accordance with the provisions of this section. For the purpose of this section and RCW 50.44.070 , the term "nonprofit organization" is limited to those organizations described in RCW 50.44.010 , and joint accounts composed exclusively of such organizations. (1) Any nonprofit organization which is, or becomes subject to this title, shall pay contributions under the provisions of RCW 50.24.010 and chapter 50.29 RCW, unless it elects, in accordance with this subsection, to pay to the commissioner for the unemployment compensation fund an amount equal to the full amount of regular and additional benefits and one-half of the amount of extended benefits paid to individuals for weeks of unemployment that are based upon wages paid or payable during the effective period of such election to the extent that such payments are attributable to service in the employ of such nonprofit organization. (a) Any nonprofit organization which becomes subject to this title may elect to become liable for payments in lieu of contributions for a period of not less than twelve months beginning with the date on which such subjectivity begins by filing a written notice of its election with the commissioner not later than thirty days immediately following the date of the determination of such subjectivity. (b) Any nonprofit organization which makes an election in accordance with (a) of this subsection will continue to be liable for payments in lieu of contributions until it files with the commissioner a written notice terminating its election not later than thirty days prior to the beginning of the taxable year for which such termination shall first be effective. (c) Any nonprofit organization which has been paying contributions under this title may change to a reimbursable basis by filing with the commissioner not later than thirty days prior to the beginning of any taxable year a written notice of election to become liable for payments in lieu of contributions. Such election shall not be terminable by the organization for that and the next year. (d) The commissioner may for good cause extend the period within which a notice of election, or a notice of termination, must be filed and may permit an election to be retroactive. (e) The commissioner, in accordance with such regulations as the commissioner may prescribe, shall notify each nonprofit organization of any determination which the commissioner may make of its status as an employer and of the effective date of any election which it makes and of any termination of such election. Any nonprofit organization subject to such determination and dissatisfied with such determination may file a request for review and redetermination with the commissioner within thirty days of the mailing of the determination to the organization. Should such request for review and redetermination be denied, the organization may, within ten days of the mailing of such notice of denial, file with the appeal tribunal a petition for hearing which shall be heard in the same manner as a petition for denial of refund. The appellate procedure prescribed by this title for further appeal shall apply to all denials of review and redetermination under this paragraph. (2) Payments in lieu of contributions shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this section including either (a) or (b) of this subsection. (a) At the end of each calendar quarter, the commissioner shall bill each nonprofit organization or group of such organizations which has elected to make payments in lieu of contributions for an amount equal to the full amount of regular and additional benefits plus one-half of the amount of extended benefits paid during such quarter that is attributable to service in the employ of such organization. (b)(i) Each nonprofit organization that has elected payments in lieu of contributions may request permission to make such payments as provided in this paragraph. Such method of payment shall become effective upon approval by the commissioner. (ii) At the end of each calendar quarter, or at the end of such other period as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner shall bill each nonprofit organization for an amount representing one of the following: (A) The percentage of its total payroll for the immediately preceding calendar year as the commissioner shall determine. Such determination shall be based each year on the average benefit costs attributable to service in the employ of nonprofit organizations during the preceding calendar year. (B) For any organization which did not pay wages throughout the four calendar quarters of the preceding calendar year, such percentage of its payroll during such year as the commissioner shall determine. (iii) At the end of each taxable year, the commissioner may modify the quarterly percentage of payroll thereafter payable by the nonprofit organization in order to minimize excess or insufficient payments. (iv) At the end of each taxable year, the commissioner shall determine whether the total of payments for such year made by a nonprofit organization is less than, or in excess of, the total amount of regular and additional benefits plus one-half of the amount of extended benefits paid to individuals during such taxable year based on wages attributable to service in the employ of such organization. Each nonprofit organization whose total payments for such year are less than the amount so determined shall be liable for payment of the unpaid balance to the fund in accordance with (c) of this subsection. If the total payments exceed the amount so determined for the taxable year, all of the excess payments will be retained in the fund as part of the payments which may be required for the next taxable year, or a part of the excess may, at the discretion of the commissioner, be refunded from the fund or retained in the fund as part of the payments which may be required for the next taxable year. (c) Payment of any bill rendered under (a) or (b) of this subsection shall be made not later than thirty days after such bill was mailed to the last known address of the nonprofit organization or was otherwise delivered to it, and if not paid within such thirty days, the reimbursement payments itemized in the bill shall be deemed to be delinquent and the whole or part thereof remaining unpaid shall bear interest and penalties from and after the end of such thirty days at the rate and in the manner set forth in RCW 50.12.220 and 50.24.040 . (d) Payments made by any nonprofit organization under the provisions of this section shall not be deducted or deductible, in whole or in part, from the remuneration of individuals in the employ of the organization. Any deduction in violation of the provisions of this paragraph shall be unlawful. (e)(i) Benefits paid during the one week waiting period when the one week waiting period is paid or reimbursed by the federal government shall not be billed. (ii) In the event the one week waiting period is partially paid or partially reimbursed by the federal government, the department may, by rule, elect to not bill, in full or in part, benefits paid during the one week waiting period. (3) Each employer that is liable for payments in lieu of contributions shall pay to the commissioner for the fund the total amount of regular and additional benefits plus the amount of one-half of extended benefits paid that are attributable to service in the employ of such employer. If benefits paid to an individual are based on wages paid by more than one employer and one or more of such employers are liable for payments in lieu of contributions, the amount payable to the fund by each employer that is liable for such payments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of (a) and (b) of this subsection. (a) If benefits paid to an individual are based on wages paid by one or more employers that are liable for payments in lieu of contributions and on wages paid by one or more employers who are liable for contributions, the amount of benefits payable by each employer that is liable for payments in lieu of contributions shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to the total benefits paid to the individual as the total base-period wages paid to the individual by such employer bear to the total base-period wages paid to the individual by all of his or her base-period employers. (b) If benefits paid to an individual are based on wages paid by two or more employers that are liable for payments in lieu of contributions, the amount of benefits payable by each such employer shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to the total benefits paid to the individual as the total base-period wages paid to the individual by such employer bear to the total base-period wages paid to the individual by all of his or her base-period employers.
RCW 50.04.160 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 160
RCW 50.04.160: Employment—Domestic service.
Status: in_force

Services performed in domestic service in a private home, local college club, or local chapter of a college fraternity or sorority shall not be considered services in employment unless the services are performed after December 31, 1977, for a person who paid remuneration of one thousand dollars or more to individuals employed in this domestic service in any calendar quarter in the current or the preceding calendar year. The terms local college club and local chapter of a college fraternity or sorority shall not be deemed to include alumni clubs or chapters.
RCW 50.12.010 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 12 / Section 010
RCW 50.12.010: Commissioner's duties and powers.
Status: in_force

(1) The commissioner shall administer this title. He or she shall have the power and authority to adopt, amend, or rescind such rules and regulations, to employ such persons, make such expenditures, require such reports, make such investigations, and take such other action as he or she deems necessary or suitable to that end. Such rules and regulations shall be effective upon publication and in the manner, not inconsistent with the provisions of this title, which the commissioner shall prescribe. The commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of this title, shall determine the organization and methods of procedure of the divisions referred to in this title, and shall have an official seal which shall be judicially noticed. The commissioner shall submit to the governor a report covering the administration and operation of this title during the preceding fiscal year, July 1st through June 30th, and shall make such recommendations for amendments to this title as he or she deems proper. Such report shall include a balance sheet of the moneys in the fund in which there shall be provided, if possible, a reserve against the liability in future years to pay benefits in excess of the then current contributions, which reserve shall be set up by the commissioner in accordance with accepted actuarial principles on the basis of statistics of employment, business activity, and other relevant factors for the longest possible period. Whenever the commissioner believes that a change in contribution or benefit rates will become necessary to protect the solvency of the fund, he or she shall promptly so inform the governor and legislature and make recommendations with respect thereto. (2) There is established a unit within the department for the purpose of detection and investigation of fraud under this title. The department will employ supervisory and investigative personnel for the program, who must be qualified by training and experience. (3) The commissioner or the commissioner's duly authorized designee is authorized to receive criminal history record information that includes nonconviction data for any purpose associated with the investigation for abuse or fraud under chapter 50.20 RCW. Dissemination or use of nonconviction data for purposes other than that authorized in this section is prohibited.
RCW 50.22.140 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 22 / Section 140
RCW 50.22.140: Employment security department authorized to pay training benefits—Expenditures.
Status: in_force

(1) The employment security department is authorized to pay training benefits under RCW 50.22.150 and 50.22.155 , but may not obligate expenditures beyond the limits specified in this section or as otherwise set by the legislature. Any funds not obligated in one fiscal year may be carried forward to the next fiscal year. The commissioner may not obligate more than twenty million dollars annually in addition to any funds carried forward from previous fiscal years. (2) If the amount available for training benefits at any time is equal to or less than five million dollars, funds will no longer be obligated for individuals in RCW 50.22.155 (2)(a)(ii). If funds are exhausted, training benefits will continue to be obligated to dislocated workers only under RCW 50.22.155 (2)(a)(i). The following year's obligation for training benefits will be reduced by a corresponding amount.
RCW 50.40.040 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 40 / Section 040
RCW 50.40.040: No vested rights.
Status: in_force

The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal all or any part of this title at any time; and there shall be no vested private right of any kind against such amendment or repeal. All the rights, privileges, or immunities conferred by this title or by acts done pursuant thereto shall exist subject to the power of the legislature to amend or repeal this title at any time.
RCW 50A.05.070 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 05 / Section 070
RCW 50A.05.070: Family and medical leave insurance account.
Status: in_force

(1) The family and medical leave insurance account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from premiums imposed under this title must be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the purposes of the family and medical leave program. Only the commissioner or the commissioner's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to the allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW. An appropriation is required for administrative expenses, but not for benefit payments. (2) Money deposited in the account shall remain a part of the account until expended pursuant to the requirements of this title or transferred in accordance with subsection (3) of this section. The commissioner shall maintain a separate record of the deposit, obligation, expenditure, and return of funds so deposited. Any money so deposited which either will not be obligated within the period specified by the appropriations act or remains unobligated at the end of the period, and any money which has been obligated within the period but will not be expended, shall be returned promptly to the family and medical leave insurance account. (3) Money shall be transferred from the family and medical leave insurance account and deposited in the unemployment trust fund solely for the repayment of benefits not charged to employers as defined in *RCW 50.29.021 (3)(a)(vii). The commissioner shall direct the transfer, which must occur on or before the cut-off date as defined in RCW 50.29.010 . (4) Money transferred as provided in subsection (3) of this section for the repayment of benefits not charged to employers shall be deposited in the unemployment compensation fund and shall remain a part of the unemployment compensation fund until expended pursuant to RCW 50.16.030 . The commissioner shall maintain a separate record of the deposit, obligation, expenditure, and return of funds so deposited. Any money so deposited which either will not be obligated within the period specified by the appropriation law or remains unobligated at the end of the period, and any money which has been obligated within the period but will not be expended, shall be returned promptly to the account of this state in the unemployment trust fund.
RCW 50.98.030 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 98 / Section 030
RCW 50.98.030: Actions commenced under prior laws.
Status: in_force

Any action or proceeding had or commenced in any civil or criminal cause prior to the effective date of this act may be prosecuted and continued with the same effect and under the same provisions of the law in effect at the time the action or proceeding was had or commenced: PROVIDED, That no appeal taken subsequent to the effective date of this act will be effective or valid unless there is compliance with the requirements of this act relating to appeals.
RCW 50.98.070 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 98 / Section 070
RCW 50.98.070: Separability of provisions—1945 c 35.
Status: in_force

If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this act should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional the invalidity or unconstitutionality thereof shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause or phrase of this act.
RCW 50A.30.015 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 30 / Section 015
RCW 50A.30.015: Voluntary plans—Reapproval.
Status: in_force

The employer must have the voluntary plan approved by the commissioner annually for the first three years. After the first three years, the employer is only required to have the approval if the employer makes changes to the plan that were not mandated by changes to state law.
RCW 50.38.065 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 38 / Section 065
RCW 50.38.065: Moneys for nonfunded labor market information costs—Disposition.
Status: in_force

Moneys received under RCW 50.38.060 (1) to cover the actual costs of nonfunded labor market information shall be deposited in the unemployment compensation administration fund and expenditures shall be authorized only by appropriation.
RCW 50A.45.065 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 45 / Section 065
RCW 50A.45.065: Injunction from continuing in business.
Status: in_force

Any employer who is delinquent in the payment of premiums, interest, or penalties may be enjoined upon the suit of the state of Washington from continuing in business in this state or employing persons herein until the delinquent premiums, interest, and penalties have been paid, or until the employer has furnished a good and sufficient bond in a sum equal to double the amount of premiums, interest, and penalties already delinquent, plus such further sum as the court deems adequate to protect the department in the collection of premiums, interest, and penalties which will become due from such employer during the next ensuing calendar year, said bond to be conditioned upon payment of all premiums, interest, and penalties due and owing within thirty days after the expiration of the next ensuing calendar year or at such earlier date as the court may fix. Action under this section may be instituted in the superior court of any county of the state wherein the employer resides, has its principal place of business, or where it has anyone performing services for it, whether or not such services constitute employment.
RCW 50.12.310 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 12 / Section 310
RCW 50.12.310: Professional employer organizations—Revocation of authority to act as coemployer.
Status: in_force

A professional employer organization's authority to act as a coemployer for purposes of this title may be revoked by the department when it determines that the professional employer organization has substantially failed to comply with the requirements of RCW 50.12.300 .
RCW 50.98.100 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 98 / Section 100
RCW 50.98.100: Base year wages to include remuneration paid for previously uncovered services.
Status: in_force

(1) Effective with benefit years beginning on and after January 1, 1978, base year wages shall include remuneration paid for previously uncovered services: PROVIDED, That the maximum benefits payable to an individual as computed for the benefit year will be reduced to the extent that benefits were paid on the basis of identical calendar quarters of the previously uncovered services with respect to a claim filed by the individual under Title II of the Emergency Jobs and Unemployment Assistance Act of 1974. Benefits will be paid, subject to the provisions of this title, based upon the previously uncovered services to the extent that the unemployment compensation trust fund will be reimbursed for the cost thereof by the federal government under section 121 of PL 94-566 and regulations published by the secretary of labor relating thereto. (2) For the purposes of this section, the term "previously uncovered services" means services performed before January 1, 1978, which are not employment as defined in Title 50 RCW at any time during the one year period ending December 31, 1975, and which: (a) Is agricultural labor as defined in RCW 50.04.150 and covered by RCW 50.04.155 or domestic services as defined in and covered by RCW 50.04.160 ; or (b) Is service performed by an employee of this state or a political subdivision of this state newly covered by chapter 292, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. or by an employee of a nonprofit educational institution which is not an institution of higher education as provided in *RCW 50.44.040 (3). (3) Any nonprofit organization or governmental entity electing to make payments in lieu of contributions shall not be liable to make payments with respect to benefits paid any individual whose base year wages include wages for previously uncovered services as defined in subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section to the extent that the unemployment compensation fund is reimbursed for the benefits under section 121 of PL 94-566. (4) Benefits paid any individual whose base year wages include wages for previously uncovered services as defined in subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer to the extent that the unemployment compensation fund is reimbursed for the benefits under section 121 of PL 94-566.
RCW 50.75.010 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 75 / Section 010
RCW 50.75.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the employment security department. (2) "Department" means the employment security department. (3) "Employer" has the same meaning as in 20 C.F.R. Sec. 655.103. "Employer" also includes a "fixed-site employer," as defined in 20 C.F.R. Sec. 655.103, and an employer in a "joint employment" relationship, as defined in 20 C.F.R. Sec. 655.103. (4) "Field check" means an unannounced inspection and audit of an employer to determine and document whether the employer is providing wages, hours, and working and housing conditions as specified in the employer's approved H-2A application, as required by the United States department of labor. (5) "Field visit" means a scheduled visit to an employer's premises where H-2A workers work, live, and gather to discuss employment services and other employment-related programs with workers, as required by the United States department of labor. (6) "H-2A application" means an agricultural food processing clearance order form ETA 790 that describes the material terms and conditions of employment and is submitted in connection with a future application for temporary employment certification for H-2A workers to the United States department of labor under 20 C.F.R. Part 655, as amended. (7) "H-2A worker" means any temporary foreign worker who is lawfully present in the United States to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature pursuant to Title 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the immigration and nationality act, as amended. (8) "Office" means the office of agricultural and seasonal workforce services established in RCW 50.75.020 .
RCW 50.22.155 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 22 / Section 155
RCW 50.22.155: Training benefits—Claims effective on or after April 5, 2009—Eligibility—Definitions—Role of local workforce development councils—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1) With respect to claims with an effective date on or after April 5, 2009, and before July 1, 2012: (a) Subject to availability of funds, training benefits are available for an individual who is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits when: (i) The individual is a dislocated worker as defined in RCW 50.04.075 and, after assessment of the individual's labor market, occupation, or skills, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market. The assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skill sets must be substantially based on declining occupation or skill sets and high-demand occupations identified in local labor market areas by the local workforce development councils in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division; or (ii) For claims with an effective date on or after September 7, 2009, the individual: (A) Earned an average hourly wage in the individual's base year that is less than one hundred thirty percent of the state minimum wage and, after assessment, it is determined that the individual's earning potential will be enhanced through vocational training. The individual's average hourly wage is calculated by dividing the total wages paid by the total hours worked in the individual's base year; (B) Served in the United States military or the Washington national guard during the twelve-month period prior to the application date, was honorably discharged from military service or the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market; (C) Is currently serving in the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market; or (D) Is disabled due to an injury or illness and, after assessment, is determined to be unable to return to his or her previous occupation and to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market. (b)(i) The individual must develop an individual training program that is submitted to the commissioner for approval within ninety days after the individual is notified by the employment security department of the requirements of this section; (ii) The individual must enter the approved training program by one hundred twenty days after the date of the notification, unless the employment security department determines that the training is not available during the one hundred twenty days, in which case the individual enters training as soon as it is available; (iii) The department may waive the deadlines established under this subsection for reasons deemed by the commissioner to be good cause. (c) The individual must be enrolled in training approved under this section on a full-time basis as determined by the educational institution, except that less than full-time training may be approved when the individual has a physical, mental, or emotional disability that precludes enrollment on a full-time basis. (d) The individual must make satisfactory progress in the training as defined by the commissioner and certified by the educational institution. (e) An individual is not eligible for training benefits under this section if he or she: (i) Is a standby claimant who expects recall to his or her regular employer; or (ii) Has a definite recall date that is within six months of the date he or she is laid off. (f) The following definitions apply throughout this subsection (1) unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (i) "Educational institution" means an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 or an educational institution as defined in RCW 28C.04.410 , including equivalent educational institutions in other states. (ii) "High-demand occupation" means an occupation with a substantial number of current or projected employment opportunities. (iii) "Training benefits" means additional benefits paid under this section. (iv) "Training program" means: (A) An education program determined to be necessary as a prerequisite to vocational training after counseling at the educational institution in which the individual enrolls under his or her approved training program; or (B) A vocational training program at an educational institution that: (I) Is targeted to training for a high-demand occupation; (II) Is likely to enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power; and (III) Meets the criteria for performance developed by the workforce training and education coordinating board for the purpose of determining those training programs eligible for funding under Title I of P.L. 113-128. "Training program" does not include any course of education primarily intended to meet the requirements of a baccalaureate or higher degree, unless the training meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or for specific skills necessary for the occupation. (g) Benefits shall be paid as follows: (i) The total training benefit amount shall be fifty-two times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year. (ii) The weekly benefit amount shall be the same as the regular weekly amount payable during the applicable benefit year and shall be paid under the same terms and conditions as regular benefits. (iii) Training benefits shall be paid before any extended benefits but not before any similar federally funded program. Effective July 3, 2011, training benefits shall be paid after any federally funded program. (iv) Training benefits are not payable for weeks more than two years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim. However, training benefits are not payable for weeks more than three years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim when individuals are eligible for benefits in accordance with RCW 50.22.010 (2)(b) or (3)(b). (h) The requirement under RCW 50.22.010 (10) relating to exhausting regular benefits does not apply to an individual otherwise eligible for training benefits under this section when the individual's benefit year ends before his or her training benefits are exhausted and the individual is eligible for a new benefit year. These individuals will have the option of remaining on the original claim or filing a new claim. (i) Individuals who receive training benefits under RCW 50.22.150 or this section are not eligible for training benefits under this section for five years from the last receipt of training benefits. (j) An individual eligible to receive a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2, Title II of the trade act of 1974, as amended, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such trade readjustment allowance. (k) An individual eligible to receive emergency unemployment compensation under any federal law shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such compensation. (l) All base year employers are interested parties to the approval of training and the granting of training benefits. (m) Each local workforce development council, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, must identify occupations and skill sets that are declining and high-demand occupations and skill sets. Each local workforce development council shall update this information annually or more frequently if needed. (2) With respect to claims with an effective date on or after July 1, 2012: (a) Training benefits are available for an individual who is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits when: (i) The individual is a dislocated worker as defined in RCW 50.04.075 and, after assessment of the individual's labor market, occupation, or skills, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market. The assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skill sets must be substantially based on declining occupation or skill sets and high-demand occupations identified in local labor market areas by the local workforce development councils in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division; or (ii) Subject to the availability of funds as specified in RCW 50.22.140 , the individual: (A) Earned an average hourly wage in the individual's base year that is less than one hundred thirty percent of the state minimum wage and, after assessment, it is determined that the individual's earning potential will be enhanced through vocational training. The individual's average hourly wage is calculated by dividing the total wages paid by the total hours worked in the individual's base year; (B) Served in the United States military or the Washington national guard during the twelve-month period prior to the application date, was honorably discharged from military service or the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market; (C) Is currently serving in the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market; or (D) Is disabled due to an injury or illness and, after assessment, is determined to be unable to return to his or her previous occupation and to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market. (b)(i) Except for an individual eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection, the individual must develop an individual training plan that is submitted to the commissioner for approval within ninety days after the individual is notified by the employment security department of the requirements of this section; (ii) Except for an individual eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection, the individual must enroll in the approved training program by one hundred twenty days after the date of the notification, unless the employment security department determines that the training is not available during the one hundred twenty days, in which case the individual enters training as soon as it is available; (iii) An individual eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection must submit an individual training plan and enroll in the approved training program prior to the end of the individual's benefit year; (iv) The department may waive the deadlines established under (b)(i) and (ii) of this subsection for reasons deemed by the commissioner to be good cause. (c) Except for an individual eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection, the individual must be enrolled in training approved under this section on a full-time basis as determined by the educational institution, except that less than full-time training may be approved when the individual has a physical, mental, or emotional disability that precludes enrollment on a full-time basis. (d) The individual must make satisfactory progress in the training as defined by the commissioner and certified by the educational institution. (e) An individual is not eligible for training benefits under this section if he or she: (i) Is a standby claimant who expects recall to his or her regular employer; or (ii) Has a definite recall date that is within six months of the date he or she is laid off. (f) The following definitions apply throughout this subsection (2) unless the context clearly requires otherwise: (i) "Educational institution" means an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 or an educational institution as defined in RCW 28C.04.410 , including equivalent educational institutions in other states. (ii) "High-demand occupation" means an occupation with a substantial number of current or projected employment opportunities. (iii) "Training benefits" means additional benefits paid under this section. (iv) "Training program" means: (A) An education program determined to be necessary as a prerequisite to vocational training after counseling at the educational institution in which the individual enrolls under his or her approved training program; or (B) A vocational training program at an educational institution that: (I) Is targeted to training for a high-demand occupation; (II) Is likely to enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power; and (III) Meets the criteria for performance developed by the workforce training and education coordinating board for the purpose of determining those training programs eligible for funding under Title I of P.L. 113-128. "Training program" does not include any course of education primarily intended to meet the requirements of a baccalaureate or higher degree, unless the training meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or for specific skills necessary for the occupation. (g) Available benefits shall be paid as follows: (i) The total training benefit amount shall be fifty-two times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year. (ii) The weekly benefit amount shall be the same as the regular weekly amount payable during the applicable benefit year and shall be paid under the same terms and conditions as regular benefits. (iii) Training benefits shall be paid after any federally funded program. (iv) Training benefits are not payable for weeks more than two years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim. However, training benefits are not payable for weeks more than three years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim when individuals are eligible for benefits in accordance with RCW 50.22.010 (2)(b) or (3)(b). (h) The requirement under RCW 50.22.010 (10) relating to exhausting regular benefits does not apply to an individual otherwise eligible for training benefits under this section when the individual's benefit year ends before his or her training benefits are exhausted and the individual is eligible for a new benefit year. These individuals will have the option of remaining on the original claim or filing a new claim. (i) Except for individuals eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection, individuals who receive training benefits under RCW 50.22.150 or this section are not eligible for training benefits under this section for five years from the last receipt of training benefits. (j) An individual eligible to receive a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2, Title II of the trade act of 1974, as amended, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such trade readjustment allowance. (k) An individual eligible to receive emergency unemployment compensation under any federal law shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such compensation. (l) All base year employers are interested parties to the approval of training and the granting of training benefits. (m) Each local workforce development council, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, must identify occupations and skill sets that are declining and high-demand occupations and skill sets. Each local workforce development council shall update this information annually or more frequently if needed. (3) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
RCW 50A.15.070 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 15 / Section 070
RCW 50A.15.070: Federal income taxes—Withholding.
Status: in_force

(1) If the internal revenue service determines that family or medical leave benefits under this title are subject to federal income tax, the department must advise an employee filing a new application for benefits, at the time of filing such application, that: (a) The internal revenue service has determined that benefits are subject to federal income tax; (b) Requirements exist pertaining to estimated tax payments; (c) The employee may elect to have federal income tax deducted and withheld from the employee's payment of benefits at the amount specified in the federal internal revenue code; and (d) The employee is permitted to change a previously elected withholding status. (2) Amounts deducted and withheld from benefits must remain in the family and medical leave insurance account until transferred to the federal taxing authority as a payment of income tax. (3) The commissioner shall follow all procedures specified by the federal internal revenue service pertaining to the deducting and withholding of income tax.
RCW 50A.40.035 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 40 / Section 035
RCW 50A.40.035: Damages—Liquidated damages—Collection.
Status: in_force

(1) If the department issues a determination under RCW 50A.40.020 that an employer owes liquidated damages, the employer must, within thirty calendar days, either pay all damages owed or file an appeal as provided in this title. Thereafter, all parties owed moneys may initiate collection action against the employer by filing a warrant with the clerk of any county within the state. (a) The warrant may include all damages awarded to the employee plus reasonable attorneys' fees for the collection action, reasonable expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs of the action. (b) For purposes of this section, thirty calendar days begins the day the determination is issued. (2) The department is not responsible for collection action against an employer that has defaulted the payment of an award established under RCW 50A.40.030 .
RCW 50B.04.050 — Washington Code / Title 50B / Chapter 04 / Section 050
RCW 50B.04.050: Qualified individuals.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the employment security department shall deem a person to be a qualified individual as provided in this chapter if the person has paid the long-term services and supports premiums required by RCW 50B.04.080 for the equivalent of either: (a) A total of ten years without interruption of five or more consecutive years; or (b) Three years within the last six years from the date of application for benefits. (2) A person born before January 1, 1968, who has not met the duration requirements under subsection (1)(a) of this section may become a qualified individual with fewer than the number of years identified in subsection (1)(a) of this section if the person has paid the long-term services and supports premiums required by RCW 50B.04.080 for at least one year. A person becoming a qualified individual pursuant to this subsection (2) may receive one-tenth of the maximum number of benefit units available under RCW 50B.04.060 (3)(b) for each year of premium payments. In accordance with RCW 50B.04.060 , benefits for eligible beneficiaries in Washington will not be available until July 1, 2026, and benefits for out-of-state participants who become eligible beneficiaries will not be available until July 1, 2030, and nothing in this section requires the department of social and health services to accept applications for determining an individual's status as an eligible beneficiary prior to July 1, 2026. Nothing in this subsection (2) prohibits a person born before January 1, 1968, who meets the conditions of subsection (1)(b) of this section from receiving the maximum number of benefit units available under RCW 50B.04.060 (3)(b). (3) When deeming a person to be a qualified individual, the employment security department shall require that the person have worked at least 500 hours during each of the ten years in subsection (1)(a) of this section, each of the three years in subsection (1)(b) of this section, or each of the years identified in subsection (2) of this section. (4) An exempt employee may never be deemed to be a qualified individual, unless the employee's exemption was discontinued under RCW 50B.04.055 .
RCW 50.76.050 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 76 / Section 050
RCW 50.76.050: Relocation—Denial of payments or benefits.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not permit withholding or denial of any payments or benefits under any other law to workers that relocate to a foreign country.
RCW 50A.50.160 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 50 / Section 160
RCW 50A.50.160: Judicial review—Interstate petitions.
Status: in_force

RCW 34.05.514 to the contrary notwithstanding, petitions to the superior court from decisions of the commissioner dealing with the applications or claims relating to benefit payments that were filed outside of this state with an authorized representative of the commissioner shall be filed with the superior court of Thurston county that shall have the original venue of such appeals.
RCW 50.12.340 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 12 / Section 340
RCW 50.12.340: Report to legislature.
Status: in_force

By November 1, 2026, the employment security department, in coordination with the workforce training and education coordinating board, shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature and the governor on how the standard occupational classification or job title data required to be reported under RCW 50.12.070 has been used to evaluate educational investments, add new or modify existing training programs, or improve worksource job placement results.
RCW 50B.04.200 — Washington Code / Title 50B / Chapter 04 / Section 200
RCW 50B.04.200: Prohibition against discrimination.
Status: in_force

(1) In carrying out this chapter, discrimination against any person based upon race, gender, age, or preexisting condition is prohibited. (2) The department of social and health services shall adopt rules to prohibit discrimination pursuant to this section, which shall govern all state agencies and all persons and entities involved in implementing this chapter, including but not limited to long-term services and supports providers. (3) The prohibition against discrimination adopted in this section shall equally protect in-state participants and out-of-state participants under RCW 50B.04.180 . (4) The prohibition against discrimination will ensure that the program is implemented uniformly and that all program participants are treated fairly and protected from discrimination regardless of the laws in their home state. (5) The prohibitions provided in this section are additional and supplemental to existing protections against discrimination under federal, state, and local laws, including chapter 49.60 RCW, as may be applicable.
RCW 50B.04.020 — Washington Code / Title 50B / Chapter 04 / Section 020
RCW 50B.04.020: Duties—Health care authority, department of social and health services, office of the state actuary, employment security department.
Status: in_force

(1) The health care authority, the department of social and health services, the office of the state actuary, and the employment security department each have distinct responsibilities in the implementation and administration of the program. In the performance of their activities, they shall actively collaborate to realize program efficiencies and provide persons served by the program with a well-coordinated experience. (2) The health care authority shall: (a) Track the use of lifetime benefit units to verify the individual's status as an eligible beneficiary as determined by the department of social and health services; (b) Ensure approved services are provided through audits or service verification processes within the service provider payment system for registered long-term services and supports providers and recoup any inappropriate payments; (c) Establish criteria for the payment of benefits to registered long-term services and supports providers under RCW 50B.04.070 ; (d) Establish rules and procedures for benefit coordination when the eligible beneficiary is also funded for medicaid and other long-term services and supports, including medicare, coverage through the department of labor and industries, and private long-term care coverage; and (e) Adopt rules and procedures necessary to implement and administer the activities specified in this section related to the program. (3) The department of social and health services shall: (a) Make determinations regarding an individual's status as an eligible beneficiary under RCW 50B.04.060 ; (b) Approve long-term services and supports eligible for payment as approved services under the program, as informed by the commission; (c) Register long-term services and supports providers that meet minimum qualifications; (d) Discontinue the registration of long-term services and supports providers that: (i) Fail to meet the minimum qualifications applicable in law to the approved service that they provide; or (ii) violate the operational standards of the program; (e) Disburse payments of benefits to registered long-term services and supports providers, utilizing and leveraging existing payment systems for the provision of approved services to eligible beneficiaries under RCW 50B.04.070 ; (f) Prepare and distribute written or electronic materials to qualified individuals, eligible beneficiaries, and the public as deemed necessary by the commission to inform them of program design and updates; (g) Provide customer service and address questions and complaints, including referring individuals to other appropriate agencies; (h) Provide administrative and operational support to the commission; (i) Track data useful in monitoring and informing the program, as identified by the commission; (j) Develop criteria to deem a family member as qualified when providing approved services outside of Washington; and (k) Adopt rules and procedures necessary to implement and administer the activities specified in this section related to the program. (4) The employment security department shall: (a) Collect and assess employee premiums as provided in RCW 50B.04.080 , 50B.04.090 , and 50B.04.180 ; (b) Assist the commission, council, and state actuary in monitoring the solvency and financial status of the program; (c) Perform investigations to determine the compliance of premium payments in RCW 50B.04.080 , 50B.04.090 , and 50B.04.180 in coordination with the same activities conducted under the family and medical leave act, Title 50A RCW, to the extent possible; (d) Make determinations regarding an individual's status as a qualified individual under RCW 50B.04.050 , including criteria to determine the status of persons receiving partial benefit units under RCW 50B.04.050 (2) and out-of-state participants under RCW 50B.04.180 ; and (e) Adopt rules and procedures necessary to implement and administer the activities specified in this section related to the program. (5) The office of the state actuary shall: (a) Beginning July 1, 2025, and biennially thereafter, perform an actuarial audit and valuation of the long-term services and supports trust fund. Additional or more frequent actuarial audits and valuations may be performed at the request of the council; (b) Make recommendations to the council and the legislature on actions necessary to maintain trust solvency. The recommendations must include options to redesign or reduce benefit units, approved services, or both, to prevent or eliminate any unfunded actuarially accrued liability in the trust or to maintain solvency; and (c) Select and contract for such actuarial, research, technical, and other consultants as the actuary deems necessary to perform its duties under chapter 363, Laws of 2019. (6) By October 1, 2021, the employment security department and the department of social and health services shall jointly conduct outreach to provide employers with educational materials to ensure employees are aware of the program and that the premium assessments will begin on July 1, 2023. In conducting the outreach, the employment security department and the department of social and health services shall provide on a public website information that explains the program and premium assessment in an easy to understand format. Outreach information must be available in English and other primary languages as defined in RCW 74.04.025 .
RCW 50.04.245 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 245
RCW 50.04.245: Employment—Services performed for temporary services agency, employee leasing agency, or services referral agency—Amateur sports officials—Definitions.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the other provisions of this title, personal services performed for, or for the benefit of, a third party pursuant to a contract with a temporary staffing services company or services referral agency constitutes employment for the temporary staffing services company or services referral agency when the agency is responsible, under contract or in fact, for the payment of wages in remuneration for the services performed. (2) The temporary staffing services company or services referral agency is considered the employer as defined in RCW 50.04.080 . (3) Services performed by amateur sports officials, on a contest-by-contest basis, for interscholastic and youth or adult recreational sports contests are not considered employment for a services referral agency if the agency is not responsible for payment to the amateur sports officials unless and until the agency is paid or reimbursed by a third party. (4) For the purposes of this section: (a) "Temporary staffing services company" means an individual or entity that engages in: Recruiting and hiring its own employees; finding other organizations that need the services of those employees; and assigning those employees on a temporary basis to perform work at or services for a client to support or supplement the client's workforces, or to provide assistance in special work situations, such as employee absences, skill shortages, and seasonal workloads, or to perform special assignments or projects, all under the direction and supervision of the client. "Temporary staffing services company" does not include professional employer organizations as defined in RCW 50.04.298 , permanent employee leasing, or permanent employee placement services. (b) "Services referral agency" means an individual or entity other than a professional employer organization as defined in RCW 50.04.298 that is engaged in the business of offering the services of one or more individuals to perform specific tasks for a third party. (c) "Amateur sports official" means any person who serves as a neutral participant in any sports contest where the players are not compensated including, but not limited to, an umpire, referee, judge, linesperson, scorekeeper, timekeeper, or organizer.
RCW 50.04.275 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 275
RCW 50.04.275: Employment—Small performing arts.
Status: in_force

The term "employment" shall not include services performed by a person who is participating in a performance sponsored by an employer whose North American industry classification system code is within "711110," "711120," "711130," or "712110," so long as the person receives no remuneration other than a nominal stipend and the employer does not have more than three individuals in its employ during any portion of a day during the calendar year. For purposes of this section, "stipend" means a fixed sum of money paid periodically to defray expenses. The stipend is presumed to defray the person's incidental expenses involved in participating in the performance, including, but not limited to, meals, transportation, lodging, costumes, supplies, and child care.
RCW 50.36.030 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 36 / Section 030
RCW 50.36.030: Concealing cause of discharge.
Status: in_force

Employing units or agents thereof supplying information to the employment security department pertaining to the cause of a benefit claimant's separation from work, which cause stated to the department is contrary to that given the benefit claimant by such employing unit or agent thereof at the time of his or her separation from the employing unit's employ, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty dollars nor more than two hundred and fifty dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than ninety days.
RCW 50.24.210 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 24 / Section 210
RCW 50.24.210: Contributions due and payable upon termination or disposal of business—Successor liability.
Status: in_force

Whenever any employer quits business, or sells out, exchanges, or otherwise disposes of the employer's business or stock of goods, any contributions payable under this title shall become immediately due and payable, and the employer shall, within ten days, make a return and pay the contributions due; and any person who becomes a successor to such business shall become liable for the full amount of the contributions and withhold from the purchase price a sum sufficient to pay any contributions due from the employer until such time as the employer produces a receipt from the employment security department showing payment in full of any contributions due or a certificate that no contribution is due and, if such contribution is not paid by the employer within ten days from the date of such sale, exchange, or disposal, the successor shall become liable for the payment of the full amount of contributions, and the payment thereof by such successor shall, to the extent thereof, be deemed a payment upon the purchase price, and if such payment is greater in amount than the purchase price the amount of the difference shall become a debt due such successor from the employer. No successor may be liable for any contributions due from the person from whom that person has acquired a business or stock of goods if that person gives written notice to the employment security department of such acquisition and no assessment is issued by the department within one hundred eighty days of receipt of such notice against the former operator of the business and a copy thereof mailed to such successor.
RCW 50.24.115 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 24 / Section 115
RCW 50.24.115: Warrant—Authorized—Filing—Lien—Enforcement.
Status: in_force

Whenever any order and notice of assessment or jeopardy assessment shall have become final in accordance with the provisions of this title the commissioner may file with the clerk of any county within the state a warrant in the amount of the notice of assessment plus interest, penalties, and a filing fee under RCW 36.18.012 (10). The clerk of the county wherein the warrant is filed shall immediately designate a superior court cause number for such warrant, and the clerk shall cause to be entered in the judgment docket under the superior court cause number assigned to the warrant, the name of the employer mentioned in the warrant, the amount of the tax, interest, penalties, and filing fee and the date when such warrant was filed. The aggregate amount of such warrant as docketed shall become a lien upon the title to, and interest in all real and personal property of the employer against whom the warrant is issued, the same as a judgment in a civil case duly docketed in the office of such clerk. Such warrant so docketed shall be sufficient to support the issuance of writs of execution and writs of garnishment in favor of the state in the manner provided by law in the case of civil judgment, wholly or partially unsatisfied. The clerk of the court shall be entitled to a filing fee under RCW 36.18.012 (10), which shall be added to the amount of the warrant, and charged by the commissioner to the employer or employing unit. A copy of the warrant shall be mailed to the employer or employing unit using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed within five days of filing with the clerk.
RCW 50A.24.030 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 24 / Section 030
RCW 50A.24.030: Grants—Employers with fewer than 50 employees.
Status: in_force

(1) Employers with fewer than 50 employees may apply to the department for grants under this section, subject to the requirements of this section. (2)(a) An employer may receive a grant of $3,000 if the employer hires a temporary worker to replace an employee on family or medical leave for a period of seven days or more, or if the employer incurs significant additional wage-related costs due to the employee's leave. To be eligible for a grant, the employer must provide the department a written statement attesting that the employer hired a temporary worker or incurred other significant wage-related costs due to an employee's use of family or medical leave. (b) An employer may receive a grant under this subsection no more than 10 times per calendar year and no more than once for each employee on leave. (3) The department must assess any employer who receives a grant under this section for all premiums for three years from the date of receipt of a grant. (4) For the purposes of this section, the number of employees must be calculated as provided in RCW 50A.10.030 . (5) An employer who has an approved voluntary plan is not eligible to receive a grant under this section.
RCW 50B.04.100 — Washington Code / Title 50B / Chapter 04 / Section 100
RCW 50B.04.100: Long-term services and supports trust account.
Status: in_force

(1) The long-term services and supports trust account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from employers under RCW 50B.04.080 and from out-of-state participants under RCW 50B.04.180 must be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be used for the administrative activities of the department of social and health services, the health care authority, and the employment security department. Benefits associated with the program must be disbursed from the account by the department of social and health services. Only the secretary of the department of social and health services or the secretary's designee may authorize disbursements from the account. The account is subject to the allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW. An appropriation is required for administrative expenses, but not for benefit payments. The account must provide reimbursement of any amounts from other sources that may have been used for the initial establishment of the program. (2) The revenue generated pursuant to this chapter shall be utilized to expand long-term care in the state. These funds may not be used either in whole or in part to supplant existing state or county funds for programs that meet the definition of approved services. (3) The moneys deposited in the account must remain in the account until expended in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. If moneys are appropriated for any purpose other than supporting the long-term services and supports program, the legislature shall notify each qualified individual by mail that the person's premiums have been appropriated for an alternate use, describe the alternate use, and state its plan for restoring the funds so that premiums are not increased and benefits are not reduced.
RCW 50A.30.040 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 30 / Section 040
RCW 50A.30.040: Employee costs.
Status: in_force

An employer may assume all or a greater part of the cost of the voluntary plan than required under the state program. An employer may deduct from the wages of an employee covered by the voluntary plan, for the purpose of providing the benefits specified in this title, an amount not in excess of that which would be required if the employee was not covered by the plan.
RCW 50.13.060 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Section 060
RCW 50.13.060: Access to records or information by governmental agencies.
Status: in_force

(1) Unless otherwise required by federal law, only state and local governmental agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes as defined in Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 3306(u) of the federal unemployment tax act may have access to information or records deemed private and confidential under this chapter if the information or records are needed by the agency for official purposes and: (a) The agency submits an application in a manner specified by the employment security department for the records or information containing a statement of the official purposes for which the information or records are needed and specific identification of the records or information sought from the employment security department; and (b) The director, commissioner, chief executive, or other official of the agency requesting records or information has verified the need for the specific information; and (c) The agency requesting access has served a copy of the application for records or information on the individual or employing unit whose records or information are sought and has provided the employment security department with proof of service. Service shall be made in a manner which conforms to the civil rules for superior court. The requesting agency shall include with the copy of the application a statement to the effect that the individual or employing unit may contact the public records officer of the employment security department to state any objections to the release of the records or information. The employment security department shall not act upon the application of the requesting agency until at least five days after service on the concerned individual or employing unit. The employment security department shall consider any objections raised by the concerned individual or employing unit in deciding whether the requesting agency needs the information or records for official purposes. (2) The requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the state legislative branch. The state legislature may have access to information or records deemed private and confidential under this chapter, if the legislature or a legislative committee finds that the information or records are necessary and for official purposes. (3) In cases of emergency the governmental agency requesting access shall not be required to formally comply with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section at the time of the request if the procedures required by subsection (1) of this section are complied with by the requesting agency following the receipt of any records or information deemed private and confidential under this chapter. An emergency is defined as a situation in which irreparable harm or damage could occur if records or information are not released immediately. (4) The requirements of subsection (1)(c) of this section shall not apply to state and local governmental agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes as defined in Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 3306(u) of the federal unemployment tax act where the procedures would frustrate the investigation of possible violations of criminal laws or to the release of employing unit names, addresses, number of employees, and aggregate employer wage data for the purpose of state governmental agencies preparing small business economic impact statements under chapter 19.85 RCW or preparing cost-benefit analyses under RCW 34.05.328 (1) (c) and (d). (5) State and local governmental agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes as defined in Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 3306(u) of the federal unemployment tax act may have access to certain records or information deemed private and confidential under this chapter for comparison purposes with records or information possessed by the requesting agency to detect improper or fraudulent claims, to determine potential tax liability or employer compliance with registration and licensing requirements, or for reasons otherwise within the discharge of their official duties. In those cases the state or local governmental agency or federally recognized Indian tribe as defined in Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 3306(u) of the federal unemployment tax act shall not be required to comply with subsection (1)(c) of this section, but the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section must be satisfied. (6) Governmental agencies may have access to certain records and information, limited to employer information possessed by the employment security department for purposes authorized in chapter 50.38 RCW. Access to these records and information is limited to only those individuals conducting authorized statistical analysis, research, and evaluation studies. Only in cases consistent with the purposes of chapter 50.38 RCW are governmental agencies not required to comply with subsection (1)(c) of this section, but the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section must be satisfied. (7) Disclosure to governmental agencies of information or records obtained by the employment security department from the federal government shall be governed by any applicable federal law or any agreement between the federal government and the employment security department where so required by federal law. When federal law does not apply to the records or information state law shall control. (8) The employment security department may provide information for purposes of statistical analysis and evaluation of the WorkFirst program or any successor state welfare program to the department of social and health services, the office of financial management, and other governmental entities with oversight or evaluation responsibilities for the program in accordance with RCW 43.20A.080 . The confidential information provided by the employment security department shall remain the property of the employment security department and may be used by the authorized requesting agencies only for statistical analysis, research, and evaluation purposes as provided in RCW 74.08A.410 and 74.08A.420 . The department of social and health services, the office of financial management, or other governmental entities with oversight or evaluation responsibilities for the program are not required to comply with subsection (1)(c) of this section, but the requirements of the remainder of subsection (1) of this section and applicable federal laws and regulations must be satisfied. The confidential information used for evaluation and analysis of welfare reform supplied to the authorized requesting entities with regard to the WorkFirst program or any successor state welfare program are exempt from public inspection and copying under chapter 42.56 RCW. (9) In conducting periodic salary or fringe benefit studies pursuant to law, the office of financial management shall have access to records of the employment security department as may be required for such studies. For such purposes, the requirements of subsection (1)(c) of this section need not apply. (10)(a) To promote the reemployment of job seekers, the commissioner may enter into data-sharing contracts with partners of the one-stop system established by P.L. 113-128 or its successor and identified as signatories of local memoranda of understanding. The contracts shall provide for the transfer of data only to the extent that the transfer is necessary for the efficient provisions of workforce programs, including but not limited to public labor exchange, unemployment insurance, worker training and retraining, vocational rehabilitation, vocational education, adult education, transition from public assistance, and support services. The transfer of information under contracts with one-stop partners is exempt from subsection (1)(c) of this section. (b) An individual who applies for services from the employment security department and whose information will be shared under (a) of this subsection must be notified that his or her private and confidential information in the employment security department's records will be shared among the one-stop partners to facilitate the delivery of one-stop services to the individual. The notice must advise the individual that he or she may request that private and confidential information not be shared among the one-stop partners and the employment security department must honor the request. In addition, the notice must: (i) Advise the individual that if he or she requests that private and confidential information not be shared among one-stop partners, the request will in no way affect eligibility for services; (ii) Describe the nature of the information to be shared, the general use of the information by one-stop partner representatives, and among whom the information will be shared; (iii) Inform the individual that shared information will be used only for the purpose of delivering one-stop services and that further disclosure of the information is prohibited under contract and is not subject to disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW; and (iv) Be provided in English and an alternative language selected by the one-stop center or job service center as appropriate for the community where the center is located. If the notice is provided in-person, the individual who does not want private and confidential information shared among the one-stop partners must immediately advise the one-stop partner representative of that decision. The notice must be provided to an individual who applies for services telephonically, electronically, or by mail, in a suitable format and within a reasonable time after applying for services, which shall be no later than ten working days from the employment security department's receipt of the application for services. Information describing the nature, extent, and purpose for which the information may be shared must be available upon request. (11) To facilitate improved operation and evaluation of state programs, the commissioner may enter into data-sharing contracts with other state and local governmental agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes as defined in Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 3306(u) of the federal unemployment tax act, and by extension their agents, only to the extent that such transfer is necessary for the efficient operation or evaluation of outcomes for those programs. The transfer of information by contract under this subsection is exempt from subsection (1)(c) of this section.
RCW 50.20.092 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 20 / Section 092
RCW 50.20.092: Retroactive wages—Overpayment assessment.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6134.SL ) ***

(1) If an individual receives benefits under this title while being unemployed due to a strike at the separating employer's factory, establishment, or other premises and the individual subsequently receives retroactive wages from the separating employer for any week for which he or she received benefits under this title, the department shall issue an overpayment assessment to recover the corresponding benefits as provided under RCW 50.20.190 . (2) This section expires December 31, 2035.
RCW 50.32.097 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 32 / Section 097
RCW 50.32.097: Applicability of finding, determination, etc., to other action.
Status: in_force

Any finding, determination, conclusion, declaration, or final order made by the commissioner, or his or her representative or delegate, or by an appeal tribunal, administrative law judge, reviewing officer, or other agent of the department for the purposes of Title 50 RCW, shall not be conclusive, nor binding, nor admissible as evidence in any separate action outside the scope of Title 50 RCW between an individual and the individual's present or prior employer before an arbitrator, court, or judge of this state or the United States, regardless of whether the prior action was between the same or related parties or involved the same facts or was reviewed pursuant to RCW 50.32.120 .
RCW 50.50.010 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 50 / Section 010
RCW 50.50.010: Employment.
Status: in_force

The term "employment" includes service performed in the employ of an Indian tribe, as defined in section 3306(u) of the federal unemployment tax act, provided such service is excluded from "employment" as defined in the federal unemployment tax act solely by reason of section 3306(c)(7), the federal unemployment tax act, and is not otherwise excluded from "employment" under this title. For purposes of this section, the exclusions from employment in RCW 50.44.040 , except *RCW 50.44.040 (12) addressing nongovernmental preschools, are applicable to services performed in the employ of an Indian tribe.
RCW 50.65.030 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 65 / Section 030
RCW 50.65.030: Washington service corps established—Commissioner's duties.
Status: in_force

The Washington service corps is established within the employment security department. The commissioner shall: (1) Appoint a director and other personnel as necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; (2) Coordinate youth employment and training efforts under the department's jurisdiction and cooperate with other agencies or departments providing youth services to ensure that funds appropriated for the purposes of this chapter will not be expended to duplicate existing services, but will increase the services of youth to the state; (3) The employment security department is authorized to place subgrants with other federal, state, and local governmental agencies and private agencies to provide youth employment projects and to increase the numbers of youth employed; (4) Determine appropriate financial support levels by private business, community groups, foundations, public agencies, and individuals which will provide matching funds for enrollees in service projects under work agreements. The matching funds requirement may be waived for public agencies or reduced for private agencies; (5) Recruit enrollees who are residents of the state unemployed at the time of application and are at least eighteen years of age but have not reached their twenty-sixth birthday; (6) Recruit supervising agencies to host the enrollees in full-time service activities which shall not exceed eleven months' duration; (7) Assist supervising agencies in the development of scholarships and matching funds from private and public agencies, individuals, and foundations in order to support a portion of the enrollee's stipend and benefits; (8) Develop general employment guidelines for placement of enrollees in supervising agencies to establish appropriate authority for hiring, firing, grievance procedures, and employment standards which are consistent with state and federal law; (9) Match enrollees with appropriate public agencies and available service projects; (10) Monitor enrollee activities for compliance with this chapter and compliance with work agreements; (11) Assist enrollees in transition to employment upon termination from the programs, including such activities as orientation to the labor market, on-the-job training, and placement in the private sector; (12) Establish a program for providing incentives to encourage successful completion of terms of enrollment in the service corps and the continuation of educational pursuits. Such incentives shall be in the form of educational assistance equivalent to two years of community or technical college tuition for eleven months of service. Educational assistance funding shall only be used for tuition, fees, and course-related books and supplies. Enrollees who receive educational assistance funding shall start using it within one year of their service completion and shall finish using it within four years of their service completion; (13) Enter into agreements with the state's community and technical college system and other educational institutions or independent nonprofit agencies to provide special education in basic skills, including reading, writing, and mathematics for those participants who may benefit by participation in such classes. Participation is not mandatory but shall be strongly encouraged.
RCW 50.44.010 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 44 / Section 010
RCW 50.44.010: Religious, charitable, educational, or other nonprofit organizations—Exemption—Payments.
Status: in_force

Services performed subsequent to December 31, 1971, by an individual in the employ of a religious, charitable, educational or other organization which is excluded from the term "employment" as defined in the federal unemployment tax act solely by reason of section 3306(c)(8) of that act shall be deemed services performed in employment unless such service is exempted under RCW 50.44.040 . Such organization shall make payments to the unemployment compensation fund based on such services in accordance with the provisions of RCW 50.44.060 .
RCW 50.04.065 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 065
RCW 50.04.065: Common paymaster or pay agent.
Status: in_force

(1) For purposes of this title, "common paymaster" or "common pay agent" means an independent third party who contracts with, and represents, two or more employers, and who files a combined tax report for those employers. (2) Common paymaster combined tax reporting is prohibited. "Common paymaster" does not meet the definition of a joint account under RCW 50.24.170 . (3) A common pay agent or common paymaster is not an employer as defined in RCW 50.04.080 or an employing unit as defined in RCW 50.04.090 .
RCW 50.20.041 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 20 / Section 041
RCW 50.20.041: Health care professionals who have contracted hepatitis C—Training.
Status: in_force

(1) Credentialed health care professionals listed in RCW 18.130.040 shall be deemed to be dislocated workers for the purpose of commissioner approval of training under RCW 50.20.043 if they are unemployed as a result of contracting hepatitis C in the course of employment and are unable to continue to work in their profession because of a significant risk that such work would pose to other persons and that risk cannot be eliminated. (2) For purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a health care professional who was employed on a full-time basis in their profession shall be presumed to have contracted hepatitis C in the course of employment. This presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence that demonstrates that the health care professional contracted hepatitis C as a result of activities or circumstances not related to employment.
RCW 50.16.100 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 16 / Section 100
RCW 50.16.100: COVID-19 unemployment account.
Status: in_force

(1) The COVID-19 unemployment account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Revenues to the account shall consist of appropriations and transfers by the legislature and all other funding directed for deposit into the account. Only the commissioner of the employment security department or the commissioner's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for reimbursing the unemployment trust fund account for unemployment benefits paid to the approved employees of employers approved for such reimbursement pursuant to *RCW 50.29.100 . The account is subject to the allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures. (2) Any federal funding or relief for novel coronavirus that could be used for the purposes of *RCW 50.29.100 must be used first before spending from the account. Additionally, if the employment security department subsequently receives reimbursements from federal sources for amounts spent from the account, the department must remit the federal funding to the state treasurer for reimbursement to the budget stabilization account. If federal law or rules would prevent such remittance, the department must notify the office of financial management and the fiscal committees of the legislature within thirty days of receipt of the reimbursement. (3) By July 1, 2021, the commissioner must certify to the state treasurer the amount of any unobligated moneys in the COVID-19 unemployment account that are attributable to the budget stabilization account appropriation in section 3, chapter 7, Laws of 2020, and the treasurer must transfer those moneys back to the budget stabilization account.
RCW 50.62.040 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 62 / Section 040
RCW 50.62.040: Annual report—Wage and benefit history.
Status: in_force

(1) Each year the employment security department may publish an annual report on the unemployed based on research conducted on the continuous wage and benefit history and other sources that identifies: (a) The demographic groups of unemployment insurance claimants that experience the greatest difficulty finding new employment with wages comparable to their prelayoff earnings; (b) The demographic groups of unemployment insurance claimants that have the highest rates of failure to find unemployment insurance covered-employment after a layoff; (c) The demographic, industry, and employment characteristics of the unemployment insurance claimant population most closely associated with the exhaustion of an unemployment claim; (d) The demographic, industry, and employment characteristics of those locked-out workers who are eligible for unemployment compensation under RCW 50.20.090 ; and (e) The demographic groups which are defined as the "long-term unemployed" for purposes of this chapter. This listing shall be updated each year. (2) The employment security department shall continue to fund the continuing wage and benefit history at a level necessary to produce the annual report described in subsection (1) of this section.
RCW 50.04.246 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 246
RCW 50.04.246: Employment—Amateur sports officials.
Status: in_force

Except for services subject to RCW 50.44.010 , 50.44.020 , 50.44.030 , or 50.50.010 , the term "employment" shall not include services performed by amateur sports officials, on a contest-by-contest basis, for interscholastic and youth or adult recreational sports contests. For purposes of this section, "amateur sports official" means any person who serves as a neutral participant in any sports contest where the players are not compensated , including but not limited to, an umpire, referee, judge, linesperson, scorekeeper, timekeeper, or organizer, and who is not otherwise employed by the sponsor of the sports contest.
RCW 50A.30.050 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 30 / Section 050
RCW 50A.30.050: Voluntary plans—Employee contributions and income held in trust.
Status: in_force

Any employee contributions to and income arising from an approved voluntary plan received or retained by an employer under an approved voluntary plan are trust funds that are not considered to be part of an employer's assets. An employer must maintain a separate, specifically identifiable account for voluntary plan trust funds in a financial institution.
RCW 50.22.060 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 22 / Section 060
RCW 50.22.060: Public announcement when extended benefit period becomes effective or is terminated—Computations of rate of insured unemployment.
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever an extended benefit period is to become effective in this state (or in all states) as a result of an "on" indicator, or an extended benefit period is to be terminated in this state as a result of an "off" indicator, the commissioner shall make an appropriate public announcement. (2) Computations required by the provisions of RCW 50.22.010 (4) shall be made by the commissioner, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the United States secretary of labor.
RCW 50A.05.080 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 05 / Section 080
RCW 50A.05.080: Family and medical leave enforcement account.
Status: in_force

The family and medical leave enforcement account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Any money in the family leave insurance account created in section 19, chapter 357, Laws of 2007 is transferred to the account created in this section. Any penalties and interest collected under RCW 50A.15.060 , 50A.15.090 , 50A.20.020 , 50A.20.030 , 50A.45.010 , 50A.45.025 , and 50A.30.070 shall be deposited into the account and shall be used only for the purposes of administering and enforcing this title. Only the commissioner 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.
RCW 50.38.020 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 38 / Section 020
RCW 50.38.020: Occupational information responsibility—Forecast, criteria.
Status: in_force

The Washington state employment security department shall be the responsible state entity for the development, administration, and dissemination of Washington state occupational information, including the state occupational forecast. The generation of the forecast is subject to the following criteria: (1) The occupational forecast shall be consistent with the state economic forecast; (2) Standardized occupational classification codes shall be adopted, to be cross-referenced with other generally accepted occupational codes.
RCW 50.13.130 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Section 130
RCW 50.13.130: Application to information obtained by the employment security department under Title 50A RCW.
Status: in_force

Except for RCW 50.13.120 , the provisions of this chapter do not apply to information obtained by the employment security department under Title 50A RCW.
RCW 50A.50.090 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 50 / Section 090
RCW 50A.50.090: Commissioner review—Procedure.
Status: in_force

After having acquired jurisdiction for review, the commissioner shall review the proceedings in question. Prior to rendering a decision, the commissioner may order the taking of additional evidence by an administrative law judge to be made a part of the record in the case. Upon the basis of evidence submitted to the administrative law judge and such additional evidence as the commissioner may order to be taken, the commissioner shall render a decision in writing affirming, modifying, or setting aside the decision of the administrative law judge. Alternatively, the commissioner may order further proceedings to be held before the administrative law judge, upon completion of which the administrative law judge shall issue a new decision in writing affirming, modifying, or setting aside the previous decision of the administrative law judge. The new decision of the administrative law judge may be appealed as provided under RCW 50A.50.080 . The commissioner shall mail the decision of the commissioner to the interested parties at their last known addresses.
RCW 50.12.031 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 12 / Section 031
RCW 50.12.031: Personnel board—Travel expenses of board.
Status: in_force

Members of the board shall be allowed travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now existing or hereafter amended while traveling to and from and attending regularly called meetings.
RCW 50.06.040 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 06 / Section 040
RCW 50.06.040: Laws and regulations governing amounts payable and right to benefits.
Status: in_force

The individual's weekly benefit amount and maximum amount payable during the special benefit year shall be governed by the provision contained in RCW 50.20.120 . The individual's basic and continuing right to benefits shall be governed by the general laws and regulations relating to the payment of unemployment compensation benefits to the extent that they are not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter.
RCW 50A.30.010 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 30 / Section 010
RCW 50A.30.010: In general.
Status: in_force

(1) An employer may apply to the commissioner for approval of a voluntary plan for the payment of either family leave benefits or medical leave benefits, or both. The application must be submitted on a form and in the manner as prescribed by the commissioner in rule. The fee for the department's review of each application for approval of a voluntary plan is two hundred fifty dollars. (2) The benefits payable as indemnification for loss of wages under any voluntary plan must be separately stated and designated separately and distinctly in the plan from other benefits, if any. (3) Neither an employee nor his or her employer are liable for any premiums for benefits covered by an approved voluntary plan. (4) An employee may only receive payment of benefits for family leave, medical leave, or both from one approved plan at a time. An employee who qualifies for benefits and is simultaneously covered by more than one plan under this title will receive benefits under the plan for which the employee has worked the most hours during the employee's qualifying period. The commissioner must adopt rules to allow benefits or prevent duplication of benefits to employees simultaneously covered by one or more approved voluntary plans and the state program. (5) The commissioner must approve any voluntary plan as to which the commissioner finds that there is at least one employee in employment and all of the following exist: (a) The benefits afforded to the employees must be at least equivalent to the benefits the employees are entitled to as part of the state's family and medical leave program, including but not limited to the duration of leave. The employer must offer at least one-half of the length of leave as provided in RCW 50A.15.020 (3) with pay and provide a monetary payment in an amount equal to or higher than the total amount of monetary benefits the employee would be entitled to receive as part of the state-run program. The employer may offer the same duration of leave and monetary benefits as offered under the state program. (b) The sick leave an employee is entitled to under RCW 49.46.210 is in addition to the employer's provided benefits and is in addition to any family or medical leave benefits. (c) The plan is available to all of the eligible employees of the employer employed in this state, including future employees. (d) The employer has agreed to make all required payroll deductions, including that: (i) In the case of plan termination or withdrawal, the employer must remit to the department all required moneys under RCW 50A.30.045 and 50A.30.065 (3); and (ii) If the employer has an approved voluntary plan for either medical leave or family leave but not both, the employer is still obligated to remit to the department premiums owed to the state plan for the portions not covered by the employer's approved voluntary plan. (e) The plan will be in effect for a period of not less than one year and, thereafter, continuously unless the commissioner finds that the employer has given notice of withdrawal from the plan in a manner specified by the commissioner in rule. The plan may be withdrawn by the employer on the date of any law increasing the benefit amounts or the date of any change in the rate of employee premiums, if notice of the withdrawal from the plan is transmitted to the commissioner not less than thirty days prior to the date of that law or change. If the plan is not withdrawn, it must be amended to conform to provide the increased benefit amount or change in the rate of the employee's premium on the date of the increase or change. (f) The amount of payroll deductions from the wages of an employee in effect for any voluntary plan may not exceed the maximum payroll deduction for that employee as authorized under RCW 50A.10.030 . The deductions may not be increased on other than an anniversary of the effective date of the plan, except to the extent that any increase in the deductions from the wages of an employee do not exceed the maximum rate authorized under the state program. (g) The voluntary plan provides that an employee of an employer with a voluntary plan for either family leave or medical leave, or both, is eligible for the plan benefits if the employee meets the requirements of RCW 50A.15.010 and has worked at least three hundred forty hours for the employer during the twelve months immediately preceding the date leave will commence. (h) The voluntary plan provides that an employee of an employer with a voluntary plan for either family leave or medical leave, or both, who takes leave under the voluntary plan is entitled to the employment protection provisions contained in RCW 50A.35.010 if the employee has worked for the employer for at least nine months and nine hundred sixty-five hours during the twelve months immediately preceding the date leave will commence. (i) The voluntary plan provides that the employer maintains the employee's existing health benefits as provided under RCW 50A.35.020 . (6)(a) The department must conduct a review of the expenses incurred in association with the administration of the voluntary plans during the first three years after implementation and report its findings to the legislature. (b) The review must include an analysis of the adequacy of the fee in subsection (1) of this section to cover the department's administrative expenses related to reviewing and approving or denying the applications and administering appeals related to voluntary plans. The review must include an estimate of the next year's projected administrative costs related to the voluntary plans. The legislature shall adjust the fee in subsection (1) of this section as needed to ensure the department's administrative expenses related to the voluntary plans are covered by the fee. (c) If the current receipts from the fee in subsection (1) of this section are inadequate to cover the department's administrative expenses related to the voluntary plans, the department may use funds from the family and medical leave insurance account under RCW 50A.05.070 to pay for these expenses.

PDF RCW 50A.30.010

In general. (Effective January 1, 2026.)

(1) An employer may apply to the commissioner for approval of a voluntary plan for the payment of either family leave benefits or medical leave benefits, or both. The application must be submitted on a form and in the manner as prescribed by the commissioner in rule. The fee for the department's review of each application for approval of a voluntary plan is $250. (2) The benefits payable as indemnification for loss of wages under any voluntary plan must be separately stated and designated separately and distinctly in the plan from other benefits, if any. (3) Neither an employee nor his or her employer are liable for any premiums for benefits covered by an approved voluntary plan. (4) An employee may only receive payment of benefits for family leave, medical leave, or both from one approved plan at a time. An employee who qualifies for benefits and is simultaneously covered by more than one plan under this title will receive benefits under the plan for which the employee has worked the most hours during the employee's qualifying period. The commissioner must adopt rules to allow benefits or prevent duplication of benefits to employees simultaneously covered by one or more approved voluntary plans and the state program. (5) The commissioner must approve any voluntary plan as to which the commissioner finds that there is at least one employee in employment and all of the following exist: (a) The benefits afforded to the employees must be at least equivalent to the benefits the employees are entitled to as part of the state's family and medical leave program, including but not limited to the duration of leave. The employer must offer at least one-half of the length of leave as provided in RCW 50A.15.020 (3) with pay and provide a monetary payment in an amount equal to or higher than the total amount of monetary benefits the employee would be entitled to receive as part of the state-run program. The employer may offer the same duration of leave and monetary benefits as offered under the state program. (b) The sick leave an employee is entitled to under RCW 49.46.210 is in addition to the employer's provided benefits and is in addition to any family or medical leave benefits. (c) The plan is available to all of the eligible employees of the employer employed in this state, including future employees. (d) The employer has agreed to make all required payroll deductions, including that: (i) In the case of plan termination or withdrawal, the employer must remit to the department all required moneys under RCW 50A.30.045 and 50A.30.065 (3); and (ii) If the employer has an approved voluntary plan for either medical leave or family leave but not both, the employer is still obligated to remit to the department premiums owed to the state plan for the portions not covered by the employer's approved voluntary plan. (e) The plan will be in effect for a period of not less than one year and, thereafter, continuously unless the commissioner finds that the employer has given notice of withdrawal from the plan in a manner specified by the commissioner in rule. The plan may be withdrawn by the employer on the date of any law increasing the benefit amounts or the date of any change in the rate of employee premiums, if notice of the withdrawal from the plan is transmitted to the commissioner not less than 30 days prior to the date of that law or change. If the plan is not withdrawn, it must be amended to conform to provide the increased benefit amount or change in the rate of the employee's premium on the date of the increase or change. (f) The amount of payroll deductions from the wages of an employee in effect for any voluntary plan may not exceed the maximum payroll deduction for that employee as authorized under RCW 50A.10.030 . The deductions may not be increased on other than an anniversary of the effective date of the plan, except to the extent that any increase in the deductions from the wages of an employee do not exceed the maximum rate authorized under the state program. (g) The voluntary plan provides that an employee of an employer with a voluntary plan for either family leave or medical leave, or both, is eligible for the plan benefits if the employee meets the requirements of RCW 50A.15.010 and has worked at least 340 hours for the employer during the 12 months immediately preceding the date leave will commence. (h) The voluntary plan provides that an employee of an employer with a voluntary plan for either family leave or medical leave, or both, who takes leave under the voluntary plan is entitled to employment protection in accordance with the requirements contained in RCW 50A.35.010 . (i) The voluntary plan provides that the employer maintains the employee's existing health benefits as provided under RCW 50A.35.020 . (6)(a) The department must conduct a review of the expenses incurred in association with the administration of the voluntary plans during the first three years after implementation and report its findings to the legislature. (b) The review must include an analysis of the adequacy of the fee in subsection (1) of this section to cover the department's administrative expenses related to reviewing and approving or denying the applications and administering appeals related to voluntary plans. The review must include an estimate of the next year's projected administrative costs related to the voluntary plans. The legislature shall adjust the fee in subsection (1) of this section as needed to ensure the department's administrative expenses related to the voluntary plans are covered by the fee. (c) If the current receipts from the fee in subsection (1) of this section are inadequate to cover the department's administrative expenses related to the voluntary plans, the department may use funds from the family and medical leave insurance account under RCW 50A.05.070 to pay for these expenses.
RCW 50.13.070 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Section 070
RCW 50.13.070: Availability of records or information to parties to judicial or administrative proceedings—Discovery proceedings—Subpoenas.
Status: in_force

Information or records deemed private and confidential under this chapter shall be available to parties to judicial or formal administrative proceedings only upon a written finding by the presiding officer that the need for the information or records in the proceeding outweighs any reasons for the privacy and confidentiality of the information or records. Information or records deemed private and confidential under this chapter shall not be available in discovery proceedings unless the court in which the action has been filed has made the finding specified above. A judicial or administrative subpoena directed to the employment security department must contain this finding. A subpoena for records or information under this section must be submitted in a manner prescribed by the employment security department. The employment security department may recover costs of responding to subpoenas, consistent with 20 C.F.R. Sec. 603.8 (2012), for proceedings where the employment security department is not a party.
RCW 50.04.165 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 165
RCW 50.04.165: Employment—Corporate officers—Election of coverage—Notification.
Status: in_force

Services performed by a person appointed as an officer of a corporation under RCW 23B.08.400 , other than those covered by chapters 50.44 and 50.50 RCW, shall not be considered services in employment. However, a corporation may elect to cover not less than all of its corporate officers under RCW 50.24.160 . If an employer does not elect to cover its corporate officers under RCW 50.24.160 , the employer must notify its corporate officers in writing that they are ineligible for unemployment benefits. However, if the employer fails to provide notice, the individual's status as a corporate officer is unchanged and the person remains ineligible for unemployment benefits.
RCW 50.65.040 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 65 / Section 040
RCW 50.65.040: Washington service corps—Criteria for enrollment.
Status: in_force

The commissioner may select and enroll in the Washington service corps program any person who is at least eighteen years of age but has not reached their twenty-sixth birthday, is a resident of the state, and who is not for medical, legal, or psychological reasons incapable of service. Efforts shall be made to enroll youths who are economically, socially, physically, or educationally disadvantaged. The commissioner may prescribe such additional standards and procedures in consultation with supervising agencies as may be necessary in conformance with this chapter. In addition, the commissioner may select and enroll youth fourteen to seventeen years of age on special projects during the summer and at other times during the school year that may complement and support their school curriculum or that link and support service with learning.
RCW 50.20.115 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 20 / Section 115
RCW 50.20.115: Unemployment due to vacation.
Status: in_force

When an unemployed individual is qualified for receipt of unemployment compensation benefits by the specific provisions of RCW 50.20.010 , 50.20.120 and 50.20.130 , and such individual is not specifically disqualified from receiving such benefits by reason of the provisions of RCW 50.20.090 , 50.20.050 , 50.20.060 , 50.20.070 or 50.20.080 , he [or she] shall, for all purposes of the unemployment compensation act, be deemed to be involuntarily unemployed and entitled to unemployment compensation benefits: PROVIDED, That the cessation of operations by an employer for the purpose of granting vacations, whether by union contract or other reasons, shall in no manner be construed to be a voluntary quit nor a voluntary unemployment on the part of the employees.
RCW 50A.35.010 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 35 / Section 010
RCW 50A.35.010: Employment protection.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in RCW 50A.30.010 (5) and subsection (6) of this section, any employee who takes family or medical leave under this title is entitled, on return from the leave: (a) To be restored by the employer to the position of employment held by the employee when the leave commenced; or (b) To be restored by the employer to an equivalent position with equivalent employment benefits, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment. (2) The taking of leave under this title may not result in the loss of any employment benefits accrued before the date on which the leave commenced. (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to entitle any restored employee to: (a) The accrual of any seniority or employment benefits during any period of leave; or (b) Any right, benefit, or position of employment other than any right, benefit, or position to which the employee would have been entitled had the employee not taken the leave. (4) As a condition of restoration under subsection (1) of this section for an employee who has taken medical leave, the employer may have a uniformly applied practice or policy that requires each such employee to receive certification from the employee's health care provider that the employee is able to resume work. (5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer from requiring an employee on leave to report periodically to the employer on the status and intention of the employee to return to work. (6)(a) This section does not apply unless the employee: (i) Works for an employer with fifty or more employees; (ii) has been employed by the current employer for twelve months or more; and (iii) has worked for the current employer for at least one thousand two hundred fifty hours during the twelve months immediately preceding the date on which leave will commence. For the purposes of this subsection, an employer shall be considered to employ fifty or more employees if the employer employs fifty or more employees for each working day during each of twenty or more calendar workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year. (b) An employer may deny restoration under this section to any salaried employee who is among the highest paid ten percent of the employees employed by the employer within seventy-five miles of the facility at which the employee is employed if: (i) Denial is necessary to prevent substantial and grievous economic injury to the operations of the employer; (ii) The employer notifies the employee of the intent of the employer to deny restoration on such basis at the time the employer determines that the injury would occur; and (iii) The leave has commenced and the employee elects not to return to employment after receiving the notice.

PDF RCW 50A.35.010

Employment protection. (Effective January 1, 2026.)

(1)(a) Except as provided in RCW 50A.30.010 (5) and subsections (6) and (7) of this section, an employee is entitled to employment restoration upon returning from: (i) Family or medical leave under this title, regardless of whether the employee also qualifies for and receives concurrent leave under the federal family and medical leave act of 1993 (Act Feb. 5, 1993, P.L. 103-3, 107 Stat. 6, as it existed on January 1, 2026), as provided under RCW 50A.15.110 ; or (ii) Unpaid leave protected by the federal family and medical leave act of 1993 (Act Feb. 5, 1993, P.L. 103-3, 107 Stat. 6, as it existed on January 1, 2026), during a period in which the employee was eligible for benefits under this title but did not apply for and receive those benefits, excluding unpaid sick leave or temporary disability taken for pregnancy or childbirth under chapter 49.60 RCW or as an accommodation under *RCW 43.10.005 , subject to the notice requirements in subsection (8) of this section. (b) For purposes of this section, "employment restoration" and "employment protection" mean that the employee is entitled, on return from the leave: (i) To be restored by the employer to the position of employment held by the employee when the leave commenced; or (ii) To be restored by the employer to an equivalent position with equivalent employment benefits, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment. (2) The taking of leave under this title may not result in the loss of any employment benefits accrued before the date on which the leave commenced. (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to entitle any restored employee to: (a) The accrual of any seniority or employment benefits during any period of leave; or (b) Any right, benefit, or position of employment other than any right, benefit, or position to which the employee would have been entitled had the employee not taken the leave. (4) As a condition of restoration under subsection (1) of this section for an employee who has taken medical leave, the employer may have a uniformly applied practice or policy that requires each such employee to receive certification from the employee's health care provider that the employee is able to resume work. (5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer from requiring an employee on leave to report periodically to the employer on the status and intention of the employee to return to work. (6)(a) This section does not apply unless the employee: (i) Works for an employer with the following number of employees: (A) 25 or more employees beginning January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2026; (B) 15 or more employees beginning January 1, 2027, until December 31, 2027; and (C) Eight or more employees beginning January 1, 2028, and thereafter; and (ii) Began employment with the current employer at least 180 calendar days before taking the leave. (b) An employer may deny restoration under this section to any salaried employee who is among the highest paid 10 percent of the employees employed by the employer within 75 miles of the facility at which the employee is employed if: (i) Denial is necessary to prevent substantial and grievous economic injury to the operations of the employer; (ii) The employer notifies the employee of the intent of the employer to deny restoration on such basis at the time the employer determines that the injury would occur; and (iii) The leave has commenced and the employee elects not to return to employment after receiving the notice. (7)(a) Except by written agreement between the employer and employee or between the employer and an employee bargaining unit, the employee forfeits the right to employment restoration under this section if the employee does not exercise it upon the earlier of: (i) The first scheduled work day following the period of leave under subsection (1)(a) of this section; or (ii) The first scheduled work day following a continuous period of, or combined intermittent periods of a total of, 16 typical workweeks of leave under subsection (1)(a) of this section taken during a period of 52 consecutive calendar weeks, except this period is extended to 18 typical workweeks of leave under subsection (1)(a) of this section taken during a period of 52 consecutive calendar weeks if any of the leave was taken as a result of a serious health condition with a pregnancy resulting in incapacity. (b) For any continuous period of leave exceeding two typical workweeks or any combined intermittent periods of leave exceeding 14 typical work days, the employer must provide at least five business days advance written notice to the employee, in a language understood by the employee and transmitted by a method reasonably certain to be received promptly by the employee, regarding the estimated expiration of the right of employment restoration and the date of the employee's first scheduled work day under this subsection. For combined intermittent periods of leave, the employer may estimate the expiration of the right of employment restoration based on information provided to the employer by the department and employee. (c) The expiration of the periods under (a)(ii) of this subsection does not affect an employee's eligibility for paid family and medical leave benefits under this title. (8)(a) In order for unpaid leave under subsection (1)(a)(ii) of this section to qualify for employment restoration rights under this section and count towards the maximum periods in subsection (7)(a)(ii) of this section, the employer must provide written notice to the employee, in a language understood by the employee and transmitted by a method reasonably certain to be received promptly by the employee, of the following: (i) That the employer is designating and counting the employee's unpaid leave against the employee's entitlement under the federal family and medical leave act of 1993 (Act Feb. 5, 1993, P.L. 103-3, 107 Stat. 6, as it existed on January 1, 2026), including specifying the amount of the entitlement used and remaining, as estimated by the employer based on information provided by the department and employee; (ii) The start and end dates of the employer's designated 12-month leave year under the federal family and medical leave act of 1993 (Act Feb. 5, 1993, P.L. 103-3, 107 Stat. 6, as it existed on January 1, 2026); (iii) Since the employee is eligible for paid family or medical leave under this title but is not applying for and receiving benefits, that the employer is counting the unpaid leave towards the maximum periods in subsection (7)(a)(ii) of this section, including specifying the start and end dates of the unpaid leave, and the total amount of the unpaid leave counting toward those maximum periods, as estimated by the employer based on information provided by the department and employee; and (iv) That the use of unpaid leave counting against the periods in subsection (7)(a)(ii) of this section does not affect the employee's eligibility for paid family or medical leave benefits under this title. (b) The employer must provide the written notice required by this subsection: (i) Within five business days of the earlier of either the employee's initial request for or use of unpaid leave protected by the federal family and medical leave act of 1993 (Act Feb. 5, 1993, P.L. 103-3, 107 Stat. 6, as it existed on January 1, 2026); and (ii) At least monthly for the remainder of the employer's designated 12-month leave year. (9) For purposes of auditing compliance or otherwise enforcing this chapter, the department may require the employer to collect and report information on the exercise of employment restoration rights under this section. (10) This section does not alter or limit the rights and protections available to employees under other state or federal laws, including but not limited to sick leave or temporary disability taken for pregnancy or childbirth under chapter 49.60 RCW or as an accommodation under *RCW 43.10.005 , sick leave taken under RCW 49.46.210 , or leave protected by the federal family and medical leave act of 1993 (Act Feb. 5, 1993, P.L. 103-3, 107 Stat. 6, as it existed on January 1, 2026).
RCW 50.20.130 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 20 / Section 130
RCW 50.20.130: Deduction from weekly benefit amount.
Status: in_force

(1) If an eligible individual is available for work for less than a full week, he or she shall be paid his or her weekly benefit amount reduced by one-seventh of such amount for each day that he or she is unavailable for work: PROVIDED, That if he or she is unavailable for work for three days or more of a week, he or she shall be considered unavailable for the entire week. (2) Each eligible individual who is unemployed in any week shall be paid with respect to such week a benefit in an amount equal to his or her weekly benefit amount less: (a) Seventy-five percent of that part of the remuneration (if any) payable to him or her with respect to such week which is in excess of five dollars; or (b) For any weeks in which the individual is receiving training benefits as provided in RCW 50.22.155 (2), half of that part of the remuneration (if any) payable to him or her with respect to such week which is in excess of five dollars. (3) The benefits in this section, if not a multiple of one dollar, shall be reduced to the next lower multiple of one dollar.
RCW 50B.04.095 — Washington Code / Title 50B / Chapter 04 / Section 095
RCW 50B.04.095: Election of coverage—Federally recognized tribe.
Status: in_force

A federally recognized tribe may elect coverage under RCW 50B.04.080 . If a federally recognized tribe has elected coverage under this section, it must also have the option to opt out at any time for any reason it deems necessary. The employment security department shall adopt rules to implement this section.
RCW 50.50.050 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 50 / Section 050
RCW 50.50.050: Notices—Contents.
Status: in_force

Notices of payment and reporting delinquency to Indian tribes or their tribal units must include information that failure to make full payment within the prescribed time frames: (1) Causes the Indian tribe to be liable for taxes under the federal unemployment tax act; (2) causes the Indian tribe to lose the option to make payments in lieu of contributions; and (3) causes the Indian tribe to be excepted from the definition of "employing unit," as provided in RCW 50.04.090 , and services in the employ of the Indian tribe, as provided in RCW 50.04.265 and 50.50.010 , to be excepted from "employment."
RCW 50A.24.010 — Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 24 / Section 010
RCW 50A.24.010: Grants.
Status: in_force

(1) The legislature recognizes that while family leave and medical leave benefit both employees and employers, there may be costs that disproportionately impact small businesses. To equitably balance the risks among employers, the legislature intends to assist small businesses with the costs of an employee's use of family or medical leave. (2) Employers with one hundred fifty or fewer employees and employers with fifty or fewer employees who are assessed all premiums under RCW 50A.10.030 (5)(b) may apply to the department for a grant under this section. (3)(a) An employer may receive a grant of three thousand dollars if the employer hires a temporary worker to replace an employee on family or medical leave for a period of seven days or more. (b) For an employee's family or medical leave, an employer may receive a grant of up to one thousand dollars as reimbursement for significant additional wage-related costs due to the employee's leave. (c) An employer may receive a grant under (a) or (b) of this subsection, but not both, except that an employer who received a grant under (b) of this subsection may receive a grant of the difference between the grant awarded under (b) of this subsection and three thousand dollars if the employee on leave extended the leave beyond the leave initially planned and the employer hired a temporary worker for the employee on leave. (4) An employer may apply for a grant no more than ten times per calendar year and no more than once for each employee on leave. (5) To be eligible for a grant, the employer must provide the department written documentation showing the temporary worker hired or significant wage-related costs incurred are due to an employee's use of family or medical leave. (6) The department must assess an employer with fewer than fifty employees who receives a grant under this section for all premiums for three years from the date of receipt of a grant. (7) The grants under this section shall be funded from the family and medical leave insurance account. (8) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section. (9) For the purposes of this section, the number of employees must be calculated as provided in RCW 50A.10.030 . (10) An employer who has an approved voluntary plan is not eligible to receive a grant under this section.

PDF RCW 50A.24.010

Grants — Employers with 50 to 150 employees. (Effective January 1, 2026.)

(1) The legislature recognizes that while family leave and medical leave benefit both employees and employers, there may be costs that disproportionately impact small businesses. To equitably balance the risks among employers, the legislature intends to assist small businesses with the costs of an employee's use of family or medical leave as provided in this chapter. (2) Employers with 50 to 150 employees may apply to the department for grants under this section, subject to the requirements of this section. (3)(a) An employer may receive a grant of three thousand dollars if the employer hires a temporary worker to replace an employee on family or medical leave for a period of seven days or more. (b) For an employee's family or medical leave, an employer may receive a grant of up to one thousand dollars as reimbursement for significant additional wage-related costs due to the employee's leave. (c) An employer may receive a grant under (a) or (b) of this subsection, but not both, except that an employer who received a grant under (b) of this subsection may receive a grant of the difference between the grant awarded under (b) of this subsection and three thousand dollars if the employee on leave extended the leave beyond the leave initially planned and the employer hired a temporary worker for the employee on leave. (4) An employer may receive a grant under this section no more than ten times per calendar year and no more than once for each employee on leave. (5) To be eligible for a grant, the employer must provide the department written documentation showing the temporary worker hired or significant wage-related costs incurred are due to an employee's use of family or medical leave. (6) For the purposes of this section, the number of employees must be calculated as provided in RCW 50A.10.030 . (7) An employer who has an approved voluntary plan is not eligible to receive a grant under this section.
RCW 50.04.115 — Washington Code / Title 50 / Chapter 04 / Section 115
RCW 50.04.115: Employment—Out-of-state service, election.
Status: in_force

Services not covered under RCW 50.04.110 or 50.04.116 which are performed entirely without this state, with respect to no part of which contributions, interest, or penalties are required and paid under an unemployment compensation law of any other state or of the federal government, shall be deemed to be employment subject to this title if the individual performing such services is a resident of this state and the commissioner approves the election of the employing unit for whom such services are performed that the entire service of such individual shall be deemed to be employment subject to this title.
RCW 50B.04.055 — Washington Code / Title 50B / Chapter 04 / Section 055
RCW 50B.04.055: Exemptions—Voluntary exemptions—Criteria, rules, and procedures—Discontinuing—Notification.
Status: in_force

(1) Beginning January 1, 2023, the employment security department shall accept and approve applications for voluntary exemptions from the premium assessment under RCW 50B.04.080 for any employee who meets criteria established by the employment security department for an exemption based on the employee's status as: (a) A veteran of the United States military who has been rated by the United States department of veterans affairs as having a service-connected disability of 70 percent or greater; (b) A spouse or registered domestic partner of an active duty service member in the United States armed forces whether or not deployed or stationed within or outside of Washington; (c) An employee who holds a nonimmigrant visa for temporary workers, as recognized by federal law, and is employed by an employer in Washington; or (d) An employee who is employed by an employer in Washington, but maintains a permanent address outside of Washington as the employee's primary location of residence. (2) The employment security department shall adopt criteria, procedures, and rules for verifying the information submitted by the applicant for an exemption under subsection (1) of this section. (3) An employee who receives an exemption under subsection (1) of this section may not become a qualified individual or eligible beneficiary and is permanently ineligible for coverage under this title, unless the exemption has been discontinued as provided in subsection (4), (5), or (6) of this section. (4)(a) An exemption granted in accordance with the conditions under subsection (1)(b) of this section must be discontinued within 90 days of: (i) The discharge or separation from military service of the employee's spouse or registered domestic partner; or (ii) The dissolution of the employee's marriage or registered domestic partnership with the active duty service member. (b) Within 90 days of the occurrence of either of the events in (a) of this subsection, an employee who has received an exemption under subsection (1) of this section shall: (i) Notify the employment security department that the exemption must be discontinued because of the occurrence of either of the events in (a) of this subsection; and (ii) Notify the employee's employer that the employee is no longer exempt and that the employer must begin collecting premiums from the employee in accordance with RCW 50B.04.080 . (c) Upon notification to the employment security department and the employer, premium assessments established under RCW 50B.04.080 must begin and the employee may become a qualified individual or eligible beneficiary upon meeting the requirements established in this chapter. (d) Failure to begin paying the premium established under RCW 50B.04.080 within 90 days of the occurrence of either of the events in (a) of this subsection shall result in the payment of any unpaid premiums from the employee, with interest at the rate of one percent per month or fraction thereof, by the employee to the employment security department from the date on which the payment should have begun. (5)(a) An exemption granted in accordance with the conditions under subsection (1)(c) of this section must be discontinued within 90 days of an employee changing the employee's nonimmigrant visa for temporary workers status to become a permanent resident or citizen employed in Washington. (b) Within 90 days of the employee changing the employee's nonimmigrant visa for temporary workers status to become a permanent resident or citizen employed in Washington, the employee who has received an exemption under subsection (1)(c) of this section shall: (i) Notify the employment security department that the employee no longer holds a nonimmigrant visa for temporary workers and is a permanent resident or citizen employed in Washington and the exemption must be discontinued; and (ii) Notify the employee's employer that the employee no longer holds a nonimmigrant visa for temporary workers and is a permanent resident or citizen employed in Washington, and that the employer must begin collecting premiums from the employee in accordance with RCW 50B.04.080 . (c) Upon notification to the employment security department and the employer, premium assessments established under RCW 50B.04.080 must begin and the employee may become a qualified individual or eligible beneficiary upon meeting the requirements established in this chapter. (d) Failure to begin paying the premium established under RCW 50B.04.080 within 90 days of an employee no longer holding a nonimmigrant visa for temporary workers and becoming a permanent resident or citizen employed in Washington shall result in the payment of any unpaid premiums from the employee, with interest at the rate of one percent per month or fraction thereof, by the employee to the employment security department from the date on which the payment should have begun. (6)(a) An exemption granted in accordance with the conditions under subsection (1)(d) of this section must be discontinued within 90 days of an employee establishing a permanent address within Washington as the employee's primary location of residence. (b) Within 90 days of the employee establishing a permanent address within Washington as the employee's primary location of residence, the employee who has received an exemption under subsection (1)(d) of this section shall: (i) Notify the employment security department that the employee is residing in Washington and the exemption must be discontinued; and (ii) Notify the employee's employer that the employee is no longer exempt and that the employer must begin collecting premiums from the employee in accordance with RCW 50B.04.080 . (c) Upon notification to the employment security department and the employer, premium assessments established under RCW 50B.04.080 must begin and the employee may become a qualified individual or eligible beneficiary upon meeting the requirements established in this chapter. (d) Failure to begin paying the premium established under RCW 50B.04.080 within 90 days of an employee establishing a permanent address within Washington as the employee's primary location of residence shall result in the payment of any unpaid premiums from the employee, with interest at the rate of one percent per month or fraction thereof, by the employee to the employment security department from the date on which the payment should have begun. (7) Exempt employees are not entitled to a refund of any premium deductions made before the effective date of an approved exemption, except for premiums collected prior to the effective date of the premium assessment under RCW 50B.04.080 . (8) An employee who has received an exemption pursuant to this section shall provide written notification to all current and future employers of an approved exemption. (9) If an exempt employee fails to notify an employer of an exemption, the exempt employee is not entitled to a refund of any premium deductions made before notification is provided, except for premiums collected prior to the effective date of the premium assessment under RCW 50B.04.080 . (10) Employers may not deduct premiums after being notified by an employee of an approved exemption issued under this section. (a) Employers shall retain written notifications of exemptions received from employees. (b) An employer who deducts premiums after being notified by the employee of an exemption is solely responsible for refunding to the employee any premiums deducted after the notification. (c) The employer is not entitled to a refund from the employment security department for any premiums remitted to the employment security department that were deducted from exempt employees. (11) The provisions of RCW 50B.04.085 do not apply to the exemptions issued pursuant to this section. (12) The employment security department shall adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the activities specified in this section related to the program, including rules on the submission and processing of applications under this section.

PDF RCW 50B.04.055

Exemptions — Voluntary exemptions — Criteria, rules, and procedures — Discontinuing — Notification. (Effective January 1, 2026.)

(1) The employment security department shall accept and approve applications for voluntary exemptions from the premium assessment under RCW 50B.04.080 for any employee who meets criteria established by the employment security department for an exemption based on the employee's status as: (a) A veteran of the United States military who has been rated by the United States department of veterans affairs as having a service-connected disability of 70 percent or greater; (b) A spouse or registered domestic partner of an active duty service member in the United States armed forces whether or not deployed or stationed within or outside of Washington; (c) An employee who is employed by an employer in Washington, but maintains a permanent address outside of Washington as the employee's primary location of residence; or (d) An active duty service member in the United States armed forces, whether or not deployed or stationed within or outside of Washington, who is concurrently engaged in off-duty civilian employment as an employee of an employer. (2) The employment security department shall adopt criteria, procedures, and rules for verifying the information submitted by the applicant for an exemption under subsection (1) of this section. (3) An employee who receives an exemption under subsection (1) of this section may not become a qualified individual or eligible beneficiary and is permanently ineligible for coverage under this title, unless the exemption has been discontinued as provided in subsection (4) or (5) of this section. (4)(a) An exemption granted in accordance with the conditions under subsection (1)(b) of this section must be discontinued within 90 days of: (i) The discharge or separation from military service of the employee's spouse or registered domestic partner; or (ii) The dissolution of the employee's marriage or registered domestic partnership with the active duty service member. (b) An exemption granted in accordance with the conditions under subsection (1)(c) of this section must be discontinued within 90 days of establishing a permanent address within Washington as the employee's primary location of residence. (c) An exemption granted in accordance with the conditions under subsection (1)(d) of this section must be discontinued within 90 days of the discharge or separation from military service. (5)(a) Within 90 days of the occurrence of the events described in subsection (4) of this section, an employee who has received an exemption under subsection (1) of this section shall: (i) Notify the employment security department that the exemption must be discontinued because of the occurrence of the events described in subsection (4) of this section; and (ii) Notify the employee's employer that the employee is no longer exempt and that the employer must begin collecting premiums from the employee in accordance with RCW 50B.04.080 . (b) Upon notification to the employment security department and the employer, premium assessments established under RCW 50B.04.080 must begin and the employee may become a qualified individual or eligible beneficiary upon meeting the requirements established in this chapter. (c) Failure to begin paying the premium established under RCW 50B.04.080 within 90 days of the occurrence of the events described in subsection (4) of this section shall result in the payment of any unpaid premiums from the employee, with interest at the rate of one percent per month or fraction thereof, by the employee to the employment security department from the date on which the payment should have begun. (6) Exempt employees are not entitled to a refund of any premium deductions made before the effective date of an approved exemption, except for premiums collected prior to the effective date of the premium assessment under RCW 50B.04.080 . (7) An employee who has received an exemption pursuant to this section shall provide written notification to all current and future employers of an approved exemption. (8) If an exempt employee fails to notify an employer of an exemption, the exempt employee is not entitled to a refund of any premium deductions made before notification is provided, except for premiums collected prior to the effective date of the premium assessment under RCW 50B.04.080 . (9) Employers may not deduct premiums after being notified by an employee of an approved exemption issued under this section. (a) Employers shall retain written notifications of exemptions received from employees. (b) An employer who deducts premiums after being notified by the employee of an exemption is solely responsible for refunding to the employee any premiums deducted after the notification. (c) The employer is not entitled to a refund from the employment security department for any premiums remitted to the employment security department that were deducted from exempt employees. (10) The provisions of RCW 50B.04.085 do not apply to the exemptions issued pursuant to this section. (11) The employment security department shall adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the activities specified in this section related to the program, including rules on the submission and processing of applications under this section.