RCW 41.50.110 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 110
RCW 41.50.110: Expenses of administration paid from department of retirement systems expense fund—Administrative expense fee.
Status: in_force

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

(1) Except as provided by RCW 41.50.255 and subsection (6) of this section, all expenses of the administration of the department, the expenses of administration of the retirement systems, and the expenses of the administration of the office of the state actuary created in chapters 2.10 , 2.12, 28B.10, 41.26, 41.32, 41.40, 41.34, 41.35, 41.37, 43.43, and 44.44 RCW shall be paid from the department of retirement systems expense fund. (2) In order to reimburse the department of retirement systems expense fund on an equitable basis the department shall ascertain and report to each employer, as defined in RCW 28B.10.400 , 41.26.030 , 41.32.010 , 41.35.010 , 41.37.010 , or 41.40.010 , the sum necessary to defray its proportional share of the entire expense of the administration of the retirement system that the employer participates in during the ensuing biennium or fiscal year whichever may be required. Such sum is to be computed in an amount directly proportional to the estimated entire expense of the administration as the ratio of monthly salaries of the employer's members bears to the total salaries of all members in the entire system. It shall then be the duty of all such employers to include in their budgets or otherwise provide the amounts so required. (3) The department shall compute and bill each employer, as defined in RCW 28B.10.400 , 41.26.030 , 41.32.010 , 41.35.010 , 41.37.010 , or 41.40.010 , at the end of each month for the amount due for that month to the department of retirement systems expense fund and the same shall be paid as are its other obligations. Such computation as to each employer shall be made on a percentage rate of salary established by the department. However, the department may at its discretion establish a system of billing based upon calendar year quarters in which event the said billing shall be at the end of each such quarter. (4) The director may adjust the expense fund contribution rate for each system at any time when necessary to reflect unanticipated costs or savings in administering the department. (5) An employer who fails to submit timely and accurate reports to the department may be assessed an additional fee related to the increased costs incurred by the department in processing the deficient reports. Fees paid under this subsection shall be deposited in the retirement system expense fund. (a) Every six months the department shall determine the amount of an employer's fee by reviewing the timeliness and accuracy of the reports submitted by the employer in the preceding six months. If those reports were not both timely and accurate the department may prospectively assess an additional fee under this subsection. (b) An additional fee assessed by the department under this subsection shall not exceed fifty percent of the standard fee. (c) The department shall adopt rules implementing this section. (6) Expenses other than those under RCW 41.34.060 (4) shall be paid pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. (7) During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to transfer money in the department of retirement systems' expense fund to the state general fund.
RCW 41.60.015 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 60 / Section 015
RCW 41.60.015: Productivity board created—Also known as employee involvement and recognition board—Members—Terms—Compensation.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, there is hereby created the productivity board, which may also be known as the employee involvement and recognition board. The board shall administer the employee suggestion program and the teamwork incentive program under this chapter. (2) The board shall be composed of: (a) The secretary of state who shall act as chairperson; (b) The director of financial management or the director's designee; (c) The director of enterprise services or the director's designee; (d) Three persons with experience in administering incentives such as those used by industry, with the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and speaker of the house of representatives each appointing one person by January 1, 2025, or as soon as practicable. The secretary of state's appointee shall be a representative of an employee organization certified as an exclusive representative of at least one bargaining unit of classified employees; and (e) Two persons representing state agencies and institutions with employees subject to chapter 41.06 RCW, and one person representing those subject to *chapter 28B.16 RCW, both appointed by the secretary of state by January 1, 2025, or as soon as practicable. Members under subsection (2)(d) and (e) of this section shall be appointed to serve three-year terms. Members of the board appointed pursuant to subsection (2)(d) of this section may be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 . Any board member who is not a state employee may be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 .
RCW 41.28.200 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 28 / Section 200
RCW 41.28.200: Exemption from process—Rights not assignable.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6346-S.SL ) ***

The right of a person to a pension, an annuity or a retirement allowance, to the return of contributions, the pension, annuity or retirement allowance itself, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and the moneys in the fund created under this chapter shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, or any other process whatsoever, whether the same be in actual possession of the person or be deposited or loaned and shall be unassignable except as in this chapter specifically provided.
RCW 41.80.075 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 80 / Section 075
RCW 41.80.075: Information to be provided to exclusive bargaining representative by certain employers.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2091.SL ) ***

*RCW 41.56.065 applies to the following employers subject to this chapter: (1) Western Washington University; (2) Central Washington University; (3) Eastern Washington University; and (4) The Evergreen State College.
RCW 41.04.362 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 362
RCW 41.04.362: Employee wellness program.
Status: in_force

(1) Directors of state and local entities, in consultation with applicable state agencies and employee organizations, may develop and administer a voluntary state employee wellness program. (2) A director may: (a) Develop and implement state employee wellness policies, procedures, and activities; (b) Disseminate wellness educational materials to agencies and employees; (c) Encourage the establishment of wellness activities in agencies; (d) Provide technical assistance and training to agencies conducting wellness activities for their employees; (e) Develop standards by which agencies sponsoring specific wellness activities may impose a fee to participating employees to help defray the cost of those activities; (f) Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this program, including the collection, analysis, and publication of relevant statistical information; and (g) Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary to carry out the purpose of this section. (3) No wellness program or activity that involves or requires organized or systematic physical exercise may be implemented or conducted during normal working hours.
RCW 41.50.500 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 500
RCW 41.50.500: Mandatory assignment of retirement benefits—Definitions.
Status: in_force

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

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 41.50.500 through 41.50.650 , 41.50.670 through 41.50.720 , and 26.09.138 . (1) "Benefits" means periodic retirement payments or a withdrawal of accumulated contributions. (2) "Disposable benefits" means that part of the benefits of an individual remaining after the deduction from those benefits of any amount required by law to be withheld. The term "required by law to be withheld" does not include any deduction elective to the member. (3) "Dissolution order" means any judgment, decree, or order of spousal maintenance, property division, or court-approved property settlement incident to a decree of divorce, dissolution, invalidity, or legal separation issued by the superior court of the state of Washington or a judgment, decree, or other order of spousal support issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in another state or country, that has been registered or otherwise made enforceable in this state. (4) "Mandatory benefits assignment order" means an order issued to the department of retirement systems pursuant to RCW 41.50.570 to withhold and deliver benefits payable to an obligor under chapter 2.10 , 2.12, 41.26, 41.32, 41.40, 41.35, 41.37, or 43.43 RCW. (5) "Obligee" means an ex spouse or spouse to whom a duty of spousal maintenance or property division obligation is owed. (6) "Obligor" means the spouse or ex spouse owing a duty of spousal maintenance or a property division obligation. (7) "Periodic retirement payments" means periodic payments of retirement allowances, including but not limited to service retirement allowances, disability retirement allowances, and survivors' allowances. The term does not include a withdrawal of accumulated contributions. (8) "Property division obligation" means any outstanding court-ordered property division or court-approved property settlement obligation incident to a decree of divorce, dissolution, or legal separation. (9) "Standard allowance" means a benefit payment option selected under RCW 2.10.146 (1)(a), 41.26.460 (1)(a), 41.32.785 (1)(a), 41.40.188 (1)(a), 41.40.660 (1), 41.40.845 (1)(a), 41.37.170 , or 41.35.220 that ceases upon the death of the retiree. Standard allowance also means the benefit allowance provided under RCW 2.10.110 , 2.10.130 , 43.43.260 , 41.26.100 , 41.26.130 (1)(a), or chapter 2.12 RCW. Standard allowance also means the maximum retirement allowance available under RCW 41.32.530 (1) following member withdrawal of accumulated contributions, if any. (10) "Withdrawal of accumulated contributions" means a lump sum payment to a retirement system member of all or a part of the member's accumulated contributions, including accrued interest, at the request of the member including any lump sum amount paid upon the death of the member.
RCW 41.04.665 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 665
RCW 41.04.665: Leave sharing program—When employee may receive leave—When employee may transfer accrued leave—Transfer of leave between employees of different agencies—Return of unused leave—Rules.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2411-S.SL ) ***

(1) An agency head may permit an employee to receive leave under this section if: (a)(i) The employee suffers from, or has a relative or household member suffering from, an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition which is of an extraordinary or severe nature; (ii) The employee has been called to service in the uniformed services; (iii) The employee is a current member of the uniformed services or is a veteran as defined under RCW 41.04.005 , and is attending medical appointments or treatments for a service connected injury or disability; (iv) The employee is a spouse of a current member of the uniformed services or a veteran as defined under RCW 41.04.005 , who is attending medical appointments or treatments for a service connected injury or disability and requires assistance while attending appointment or treatment; (v) A state of emergency has been declared anywhere within the United States by the federal or any state government and the employee has needed skills to assist in responding to the emergency or its aftermath and volunteers his or her services to either a governmental agency or to a nonprofit organization engaged in humanitarian relief in the devastated area, and the governmental agency or nonprofit organization accepts the employee's offer of volunteer services; (vi) The employee is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; (vii) The employee needs the time for parental leave; or (viii) The employee is sick or temporarily disabled because of pregnancy disability; (b) The illness, injury, impairment, condition, call to service, emergency volunteer service, or consequence of domestic violence, sexual assault, temporary layoff under section 3(5), chapter 32, Laws of 2010 1st sp. sess., or stalking has caused, or is likely to cause, the employee to: (i) Go on leave without pay status; or (ii) Terminate state employment; (c) The employee's absence and the use of shared leave are justified; (d) The employee has depleted or will shortly deplete his or her: (i) Annual leave and sick leave reserves if he or she qualifies under (a)(i) of this subsection; (ii) Annual leave and paid military leave allowed under RCW 38.40.060 if he or she qualifies under (a)(ii) of this subsection; (iii) Annual leave if he or she qualifies under (a) (v) or (vi) of this subsection; or (iv) Annual leave and sick leave reserves if the employee qualifies under (a)(vii) or (viii) of this subsection; (e) The employee has abided by agency rules regarding: (i) Sick leave use if he or she qualifies under (a)(i), (vi), (vii), or (viii) of this subsection; or (ii) Military leave if he or she qualifies under (a)(ii) of this subsection; and (f)(i) Until the expiration of proclamation 20-05, issued February 29, 2020, by the governor and declaring a state of emergency in the state of Washington, or any amendment thereto, whichever is later, an agency head may permit an employee to receive shared leave under this section if the employee, or a relative or household member, is isolated or quarantined as recommended, requested, or ordered by a public health official or health care provider as a result of suspected or confirmed infection with or exposure to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). An agency head may permit use of shared leave under this subsection (1)(f) without considering the requirements of (a) through (e) of this subsection. (ii) The office of the governor must provide notice of the expiration of proclamation 20-05, or any amendment thereto, whichever is later, to the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the office of the governor. (2)(a) The agency head shall determine the amount of leave, if any, which an employee may receive under this section. However, the agency head may not prevent an employee from using shared leave intermittently or on nonconsecutive days so long as the leave has not been returned under subsection (10) of this section. In addition, an employee shall not receive a total of more than five hundred twenty-two days of leave, except that, a supervisor may authorize leave in excess of five hundred twenty-two days in extraordinary circumstances for an employee qualifying for the shared leave program because he or she is suffering from an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition which is of an extraordinary or severe nature. Shared leave received under the uniformed service shared leave pool in RCW 41.04.685 is not included in this total. (b) An employee receiving industrial insurance wage replacement benefits may not receive greater than twenty-five percent of his or her base salary from the receipt of shared leave under this section. (3) The agency head must allow employees who are veterans, as defined under RCW 41.04.005 , and their spouses, to access shared leave from the veterans' in-state service shared leave pool upon employment. (4) An employee may transfer annual leave, sick leave, and his or her personal holiday, as follows: (a) An employee who has an accrued annual leave balance of more than ten days may request that the head of the agency for which the employee works transfer a specified amount of annual leave to another employee authorized to receive leave under subsection (1) of this section. In no event may the employee request a transfer of an amount of leave that would result in his or her annual leave account going below ten days. For purposes of this subsection (4)(a), annual leave does not accrue if the employee receives compensation in lieu of accumulating a balance of annual leave. (b) An employee may transfer a specified amount of sick leave to an employee requesting shared leave only when the donating employee retains a minimum of one hundred seventy-six hours of sick leave after the transfer. (c) An employee may transfer, under the provisions of this section relating to the transfer of leave, all or part of his or her personal holiday, as that term is defined under RCW 1.16.050 , or as such holidays are provided to employees by agreement with a school district's board of directors if the leave transferred under this subsection does not exceed the amount of time provided for personal holidays under RCW 1.16.050 . (5) An employee of an institution of higher education under RCW 28B.10.016 , school district, or educational service district who does not accrue annual leave but does accrue sick leave and who has an accrued sick leave balance of more than twenty-two days may request that the head of the agency for which the employee works transfer a specified amount of sick leave to another employee authorized to receive leave under subsection (1) of this section. In no event may such an employee request a transfer that would result in his or her sick leave account going below twenty-two days. Transfers of sick leave under this subsection are limited to transfers from employees who do not accrue annual leave. Under this subsection, "sick leave" also includes leave accrued pursuant to RCW 28A.400.300 (1)(b) or 28A.310.240 (1) with compensation for illness, injury, and emergencies. (6) Transfers of leave made by an agency head under subsections (4) and (5) of this section shall not exceed the requested amount. (7) Leave transferred under this section may be transferred from employees of one agency to an employee of the same agency or, with the approval of the heads of both agencies, to an employee of another state agency. (8) While an employee is on leave transferred under this section, he or she shall continue to be classified as a state employee and shall receive the same treatment in respect to salary, wages, and employee benefits as the employee would normally receive if using accrued annual leave or sick leave. (a) All salary and wage payments made to employees while on leave transferred under this section shall be made by the agency employing the person receiving the leave. The value of leave transferred shall be based upon the leave value of the person receiving the leave. (b) In the case of leave transferred by an employee of one agency to an employee of another agency, the agencies involved shall arrange for the transfer of funds and credit for the appropriate value of leave. (i) Pursuant to rules adopted by the office of financial management, funds shall not be transferred under this section if the transfer would violate any constitutional or statutory restrictions on the funds being transferred. (ii) The office of financial management may adjust the appropriation authority of an agency receiving funds under this section only if and to the extent that the agency's existing appropriation authority would prevent it from expending the funds received. (iii) Where any questions arise in the transfer of funds or the adjustment of appropriation authority, the director of financial management shall determine the appropriate transfer or adjustment. (9) Leave transferred under this section shall not be used in any calculation to determine an agency's allocation of full time equivalent staff positions. (10)(a) The value of any leave transferred under this section which remains unused shall be returned at its original value to the employee or employees who transferred the leave when the agency head finds that the leave is no longer needed or will not be needed at a future time in connection with the illness or injury for which the leave was transferred or for any other qualifying condition. Unused shared leave may not be returned until one of the following occurs: (i) The agency head receives from the affected employee a statement from the employee's doctor verifying that the illness or injury is resolved; or (ii) The employee is released to full-time employment; has not received additional medical treatment for his or her current condition or any other qualifying condition for at least six months; and the employee's doctor has declined, in writing, the employee's request for a statement indicating the employee's condition has been resolved. (b) If a shared leave account is closed and an employee later has a need to use shared leave due to the same condition listed in the closed account, the agency head must approve a new shared leave request for the employee. (c) To the extent administratively feasible, the value of unused leave which was transferred by more than one employee shall be returned on a pro rata basis. (11) An employee who uses leave that is transferred to him or her under this section may not be required to repay the value of the leave that he or she used. (12) The director of financial management may adopt rules as necessary to implement subsection (2) of this section. (13) For the purposes of this section, "shortly deplete" means that the employee will have forty hours or less of the applicable leave types under subsection (1)(d) of this section. However, the employee is not required to deplete all of the employee's leave and can maintain up to forty hours of the applicable leave types in reserve.
RCW 41.40.054 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 054
RCW 41.40.054: Disability retirement—Criminal conduct.
Status: in_force

A member shall not receive a disability retirement benefit under RCW 41.40.200 , 41.40.220 , 41.40.230 , 41.40.235 , 41.40.250 , 41.40.670 , or 41.40.825 if the disability is the result of criminal conduct by the member committed after April 21, 1997.
RCW 41.60.050 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 60 / Section 050
RCW 41.60.050: Appropriations for administrative costs.
Status: in_force

The legislature shall appropriate from the personnel service fund for the payment of administrative costs of the productivity board.
RCW 41.24.290 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 290
RCW 41.24.290: State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

The state board shall: (1) Generally supervise and control the administration of this chapter; (2) Promulgate, amend, or repeal rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter for the purpose of effecting a uniform and efficient manner of carrying out the provisions of this chapter and the purposes to be accomplished thereby, and for the government of boards of trustees of the municipalities of this state in the discharge of their functions under this chapter; (3) Review any action, and hear and determine any appeal which may be taken from the decision of the board of trustees of any municipality made pursuant to this chapter; (4) Take such action as may be necessary to secure compliance of the municipalities governed by this chapter and to provide for the collection of all fees and penalties which are, or may be, due and delinquent from any such municipality; (5) Review the action of the board of trustees of any municipality authorizing any pension as provided by this chapter; and authorize the regular issuance of monthly warrants in payment thereof without further action of the board of trustees of such municipality; (6) Require periodic reports from the recipient of any benefits under this chapter for the purpose of determining their continued eligibility therefor; (7) Maintain such records as may be necessary and proper for the proper maintenance and operation of the principal fund, including records of the names of every person enrolled under this chapter, and provide all necessary forms to enable local boards of trustees to effectively carry out their duties as provided by this chapter; (8) Compel the taking of testimony from witnesses under oath before the state board, or any member or the secretary thereof, or before the local board of trustees or any member thereof, for the purpose of obtaining evidence, at any time, in connection with any claim or pension pending or authorized for payment. For such purpose the state board shall have the same power of subpoena as prescribed in RCW 51.52.100 . Failure of any claimant to appear and give any testimony as herein provided shall suspend any rights or eligibility to receive payments for the period of such failure to appear and testify; (9) Appoint a secretary to hold office at the pleasure of the state board, fix the secretary's compensation at such sum as it shall deem appropriate, and prescribe the secretary's duties not otherwise provided by this chapter.The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules that require appropriate education and training, to be included as part of their present continuing education requirements, for public school employees on the prevention, transmission, and treatment of blood-borne pathogens. The superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the department of health, shall develop the educational and training material necessary for school employees.
RCW 41.50.150 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 150
RCW 41.50.150: Retirement benefits based on excess compensation—Employer liable for extra retirement costs.
Status: in_force

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

(1) The employer of any employee whose retirement benefits are based in part on excess compensation, as defined in this section, shall, upon receipt of a billing from the department, pay into the appropriate retirement system the present value at the time of the employee's retirement of the total estimated cost of all present and future benefits from the retirement system attributable to the excess compensation. The state actuary shall determine the estimated cost using the same method and procedure as is used in preparing fiscal note costs for the legislature. However, the director may in the director's discretion decline to bill the employer if the amount due is less than fifty dollars. Accounts unsettled within thirty days of the receipt of the billing shall be assessed an interest penalty of one percent of the amount due for each month or fraction thereof beyond the original thirty-day period. (2) "Excess compensation," as used in this section, includes the following payments, if used in the calculation of the employee's retirement allowance: (a) A cash out of unused annual leave in excess of two hundred forty hours of such leave. "Cash out" for purposes of this subsection means: (i) Any payment in lieu of an accrual of annual leave; or (ii) Any payment added to salary or wages, concurrent with a reduction of annual leave; (b) A cash out of any other form of leave; (c) A payment for, or in lieu of, any personal expense or transportation allowance to the extent that payment qualifies as reportable compensation in the member's retirement system; (d) The portion of any payment, including overtime payments, that exceeds twice the regular daily or hourly rate of pay; and (e) Any termination or severance payment. (3) This section applies to the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030 and to retirements occurring on or after March 15, 1984. Nothing in this section is intended to amend or determine the meaning of any definition in chapter 2.10 , 2.12, 41.26, 41.32, 41.40, 41.35, 41.37, or 43.43 RCW or to determine in any manner what payments are includable in the calculation of a retirement allowance under such chapters. (4) An employer is not relieved of liability under this section because of the death of any person either before or after the billing from the department.
RCW 41.06.094 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 094
RCW 41.06.094: Washington technology solutions—Certain personnel exempted from chapter.
Status: in_force

In addition to the exemptions under RCW 41.06.070 , the provisions of this chapter shall not apply in Washington technology solutions to the chief information officer, the chief information officer's confidential secretary, and assistant directors, and up to twelve positions in the planning component involved in policy development and/or senior professionals.
RCW 41.14.060 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 060
RCW 41.14.060: Powers and duties of commission.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the civil service commission: (1) To make suitable rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions hereof. Such rules and regulations shall provide in detail the manner in which examinations may be held, and appointments, promotions, reallocations, transfers, reinstatements, demotions, suspensions, and discharges shall be made, and may also provide for any other matters connected with the general subject of personnel administration, and which may be considered desirable to further carry out the general purposes of this chapter, or which may be found to be in the interest of good personnel administration. The rules and regulations and any amendments thereof shall be printed, mimeographed, or multigraphed for free public distribution. Such rules and regulations may be changed from time to time. (2) To give practical tests which shall consist only of subjects which will fairly determine the capacity of persons examined to perform duties of the position to which appointment is to be made. Such tests may include tests of physical fitness or manual skill or both. (3) To make investigations concerning and report upon all matters touching the enforcement and effect of the provisions of this chapter, and the rules and regulations prescribed hereunder; to inspect all departments, offices, places, positions, and employments affected by this chapter, and ascertain whether this chapter and all such rules and regulations are being obeyed. Such investigations may be made by the commission or by any commissioner designated by the commission for that purpose. Not only must these investigations be made by the commission as aforesaid, but the commission must make like investigation on petition of a citizen, duly verified, stating that irregularities or abuses exist, or setting forth in concise language, in writing, the necessity for such investigation. In the course of such investigation the commission or designated commissioner, or chief examiner, may administer oaths, subpoena and require the attendance of witnesses and the production by them of books, papers, documents, and accounts appertaining to the investigation and also cause the deposition of witnesses residing within or without the state to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for like depositions in civil actions in the superior court; and the oaths administered and the subpoenas issued hereunder shall have the same force and effect as the oaths administered and subpoenas issued by a superior court judge in his or her judicial capacity; and the failure of any person so subpoenaed to comply with the provisions of this section shall be deemed a violation of this chapter, and punishable as such. (4) To conduct hearings and investigations in accordance with this chapter and by the rules of practice and procedure adopted by the commission, and in the conduct thereof neither the commission, nor designated commissioner shall be bound by technical rules of evidence. No informality in any proceedings or hearing, or in the manner of taking testimony before the commission or designated commissioner, shall invalidate any order, decision, rule, or regulation made, approved, or confirmed by the commission: PROVIDED, That no order, decision, rule, or regulation made by any designated commissioner conducting any hearing or investigation alone shall be of any force or effect whatsoever unless and until concurred in by at least one of the other two members. (5) To hear and determine appeals or complaints respecting the allocation of positions, the rejection of an examinee, and such other matters as may be referred to the commission. (6) To provide for, formulate, and hold competitive tests to determine the relative qualifications of persons who seek employment in any class or position and as a result thereof establish eligible lists for the various classes of positions, and provide that persons laid off, or who have accepted voluntary demotion in lieu of layoff, because of curtailment of expenditures, reduction in force, and for like causes, head the list in the order of their seniority, to the end that they shall be the first to be reemployed or reinstated in their former job class. (7) To certify to the appointing authority, when a vacant position is to be filled, on written request, the names of the five persons highest on the eligible list for the class. If there is no such list, to authorize a provisional or temporary appointment list for such class. A temporary appointment expires after four months. However, the appointing authority may extend the temporary appointment beyond the four-month period up to one year if the commission continues to advertise and test for the position. If, after one year from the date the initial temporary appointment was first made, there are less than five persons on the eligible list for the class, then the appointing authority may fill the position with any person or persons on the eligible list. (8) To keep such records as may be necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.
RCW 41.40.145 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 145
RCW 41.40.145: Provisions applicable to plan 1.
Status: in_force

RCW 41.40.150 through 41.40.363 shall apply only to members of plan 1.
RCW 41.05.660 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 660
RCW 41.05.660: Community health care collaborative grant program—Award and disbursement of grants.
Status: in_force

(1) The community health care collaborative grants shall be awarded on a competitive basis based on a determination of which applicant organization will best serve the purposes of the grant program established in RCW 41.05.650 . In making this determination, priority for funding shall be given to the applicants that demonstrate: (a) The initiatives to be supported by the community health care collaborative grant are likely to address, in a measurable fashion, documented health care access and quality improvement goals aligned with state health policy priorities and needs within the region to be served; (b) The applicant organization must document formal, active collaboration among key community partners that includes local governments, school districts, large and small businesses, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, carriers, private health care providers, public health agencies, and community public health and safety networks; (c) The applicant organization will match the community health care collaborative grant with funds from other sources. The health care authority may award grants solely to organizations providing at least two dollars in matching funds for each community health care collaborative grant dollar awarded; (d) The community health care collaborative grant will enhance the long-term capacity of the applicant organization and its members to serve the region's documented health care access needs, including the sustainability of the programs to be supported by the community health care collaborative grant; (e) The initiatives to be supported by the community health care collaborative grant reflect creative, innovative approaches which complement and enhance existing efforts to address the needs of the uninsured and underinsured and, if successful, could be replicated in other areas of the state; and (f) The programs to be supported by the community health care collaborative grant make efficient and cost-effective use of available funds through administrative simplification and improvements in the structure and operation of the health care delivery system. (2) The director of the health care authority shall endeavor to disburse community health care collaborative grant funds throughout the state, supporting collaborative initiatives of differing sizes and scales, serving at-risk populations. (3) Grants shall be disbursed over a two-year cycle, provided the grant recipient consistently provides timely reports that demonstrate the program is satisfactorily meeting the purposes of the grant and the objectives identified in the organization's application. The requirements for the performance reports shall be determined by the health care authority director. The performance measures shall be aligned with the community health care collaborative grant program goals and, where possible, shall be consistent with statewide policy trends and outcome measures required by other public and private grant funders.
RCW 41.26.922 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 922
RCW 41.26.922: Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
RCW 41.56.211 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 211
RCW 41.56.211: Determination of bargaining unit—Bargaining representative.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission, after hearing upon reasonable notice, shall decide in each application for certification as an exclusive bargaining representative, the unit appropriate for the purpose of collective bargaining. In determining, modifying, or combining the bargaining unit, the commission shall consider the duties, skills, and working conditions of the public employees; the history of collective bargaining by the public employees and their bargaining representatives; the extent of organization among the public employees; and the desire of the public employees. The commission shall determine the bargaining representative by: (a) Examination of organization membership rolls; or (b) conducting an election as provided under *RCW 41.56.221 or 41.56.231 . (2) For classified employees of school districts and educational service districts: (a) Appropriate bargaining units existing on July 24, 2005, may not be divided into more than one unit without the agreement of the public employer and the certified bargaining representative of the unit; and (b) In making bargaining unit determinations under this section, the commission must consider, in addition to the factors listed in subsection (1) of this section, the avoidance of excessive fragmentation.
RCW 41.24.110 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 110
RCW 41.24.110: Reimbursement of physicians and medical staff.
Status: in_force

The local board shall make provisions for reimbursing regularly licensed practicing physicians and other medical staff who examine participants making application for membership. Physicians and other medical staff shall perform such services and operations and render all medical aid and care necessary for the recovery and treatment of participants on account of injury, sickness, or disability received while in the performance of duties and shall be paid for these services from the principal fund, but not in excess of the schedule of fees for like services approved by the director of labor and industries under Title 51 RCW. A physician or other medical staff, who is not approved by the local board, shall not receive or be entitled to any compensation from the principal fund as the private or attending physician or other private or attending medical staff of any participant. A person shall not have any right of action against the local board for the negligence of any physician or other medical staff who is reimbursed from the principal fund. Any physician or other medical staff who is reimbursed from the principal fund for providing service or care for a participant shall report his or her findings in writing to the local board and the state board.A minor fourteen years of age or older who may have come in contact with any sexually transmitted disease or suspected sexually transmitted disease may give consent to the furnishing of hospital, medical, and surgical care related to the diagnosis or treatment of such disease; and treatment to avoid HIV infection. Such consent shall not be subject to disaffirmance because of minority. The consent of the parent, parents, or legal guardian of such minor shall not be necessary to authorize hospital, medical, and surgical care related to such disease, and such parent, parents, or legal guardian shall not be liable for payment for any care rendered pursuant to this section.
RCW 41.07.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 07 / Section 020
RCW 41.07.020: Administration, maintenance, and operation of system—Intent.
Status: in_force

The office of financial management is authorized to administer, maintain, and operate the central personnel-payroll system and to provide its services for any state agency designated by the director of financial management. State agencies shall convert personnel and payroll processing to the central personnel-payroll system as soon as administratively and technically feasible as determined by the office of financial management and Washington technology solutions. It is the intent of the legislature to provide, through the central personnel-payroll system, for uniform reporting to the office of financial management and to the legislature regarding salaries and related costs, and to reduce present costs of manual procedures in personnel and payroll recordkeeping and reporting.
RCW 41.56.221 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 221
RCW 41.56.221: Election to ascertain bargaining representative.
Status: in_force

In the event the commission elects to conduct an election to ascertain the exclusive bargaining representative, and upon the request of a prospective bargaining representative showing written proof of at least thirty percent representation of the public employees within the unit, the commission shall hold an election by secret ballot to determine the issue. The ballot shall contain the name of such bargaining representative and of any other bargaining representative showing written proof of at least ten percent representation of the public employees within the unit, together with a choice for any public employee to designate that he or she does not desire to be represented by any bargaining agent. Where more than one organization is on the ballot and neither of the three or more choices receives a majority vote of the public employees within the bargaining unit, a runoff election shall be held. The runoff ballot shall contain the two choices which received the largest and second-largest number of votes. No question concerning representation may be raised within one year of a certification or attempted certification. Where there is a valid collective bargaining agreement in effect, no question of representation may be raised except during the period not more than ninety nor less than sixty days prior to the expiration date of the agreement. Any agreement which contains a provision for automatic renewal or extension of the agreement shall not be a valid agreement; nor shall any agreement be valid if it provides for a term of existence for more than three years, except that any agreement entered into between school districts, cities, counties, or municipal corporations, and their respective employees, may provide for a term of existence of up to six years.
RCW 41.08.150 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 08 / Section 150
RCW 41.08.150: Deceptive practices, false marks, etc., prohibited.
Status: in_force

No commissioner or any other person shall, by himself or herself, or in cooperation with one or more persons, defeat, deceive, or obstruct any person in respect of his or her right of examination or registration according to the rules and regulations of this chapter, or falsely mark, grade, estimate or report upon the examination or proper standing of any person examined, registered or certified pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or aid in so doing, or make any false representation concerning the same, or concerning the person examined, or furnish any person any special or secret information for the purpose of improving or injuring the prospects or chances of any person so examined, registered or certified, or to be examined, registered or certified or persuade any other person, or permit or aid in any manner any other person to personate him or her, in connection with any examination or registration or application or request to be examined or registered.
RCW 41.04.420 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 420
RCW 41.04.420: Consolidation of local governmental unit and first-class city retirement system—Newly created legal entity.
Status: in_force

If a consolidated employer is a newly created legal entity and does not immediately join the public employees' retirement system pursuant to RCW 41.40.062 : (1) All existing employees of the consolidated employer who are active members of a first-class city retirement system or the public employees' retirement system immediately prior to the consolidation shall cease to be members of these systems. However, any such active members may, by a writing filed with the consolidated employer within thirty days after the consolidation or within thirty days after March 15, 1984, whichever is later, irrevocably elect instead to continue as members of the retirement system to which they belonged at the time of the consolidation for all periods of employment with the consolidated employer. (2) If the consolidated employer later joins the public employees' retirement system, all existing employees still employed on that date shall, effective from that date, have the same retirement system rights and options, subject to the same conditions as employees governed by RCW 41.04.410 , notwithstanding any previous election under subsection (1) of this section. (3) No new employees of the consolidated employer may become members of an employer-sponsored retirement system until such time as the employer joins the public employees' retirement system pursuant to RCW 41.40.062 .
RCW 41.40.038 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 038
RCW 41.40.038: Duty disability retirement recipients—Continued service credit.
Status: in_force

Those members subject to this chapter who became disabled in the line of duty on or after March 27, 1984, and who received or are receiving benefits under Title 51 RCW or a similar federal workers' compensation program shall receive or continue to receive service credit subject to the following: (1) No member may receive more than one month's service credit in a calendar month. (2) No service credit under this section may be allowed after a member separates or is separated without leave of absence. (3) Employer contributions shall be paid by the employer at the rate in effect for the period of the service credited. (4) Employee contributions shall be collected by the employer and paid to the department at the rate in effect for the period of service credited. (5) Contributions shall be based on the regular compensation which the member would have received had the disability not occurred. If contribution payments are made retroactively, interest shall be charged at the rate set by the director on both employee and employer contributions. No service credit shall be granted until the employee contribution has been paid. (6) The service and compensation credit shall not be granted for a period to exceed twenty-four consecutive months. (7) Nothing in this section shall abridge service credit rights granted in RCW 41.40.220 (2) and 41.40.320 . (8) Should the legislature revoke the service credit authorized under this section or repeal this section, no affected employee is entitled to receive the credit as a matter of contractual right.
RCW 41.40.630 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 630
RCW 41.40.630: Retirement for service.
Status: in_force

(1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member with at least five service credit years who has attained at least age sixty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620 . (2) EARLY RETIREMENT. Any member who has completed at least twenty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620 , except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five. (3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT. (a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620 , except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five. (b)(i) On or after July 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620 , except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows: Retirement Age Percent Reduction 55 20% 56 17% 57 14% 58 11% 59 8% 60 5% 61 2% 62 0% 63 0% 64 0% (ii) Any member who retired on or after September 1, 2008, and chose the three percent per year reduction provided under (a) of this subsection shall have a retirement allowance recalculated under the reductions of (b)(i) of this subsection for benefit payments made on or after January 1, 2024. (c) Members who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after May 1, 2013, are not eligible for the alternate early retirement provisions of (a) or (b) of this subsection. Any member who first becomes employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after May 1, 2013, and has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620 , except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by five percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.
RCW 41.40.197 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 197
RCW 41.40.197: Retirement allowance—Annual increases restricted after July 1, 2010—Eligibility.
Status: in_force

(1) Beginning July 1, 1995, and annually thereafter through July 1, 2010, the retirement allowance of a person meeting the requirements of this section shall be increased by the annual increase amount. (a) After July 1, 2010, those currently receiving benefits under this section will receive no additional annual increase amounts above the amount in effect on July 1, 2010, except for those who qualify under subsection (2)(b) of this section. This subsection shall not reduce retirement allowances below the amounts in effect on June 30, 2011. (b) After July 1, 2010, no annual increase amounts may be provided to any beneficiaries who are not already receiving benefits under this section, except for those who qualify under subsection (2)(b) of this section. (2) The following persons shall be eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section: (a) A beneficiary who has received a retirement allowance for at least one year by July 1st in the calendar year in which the annual increase is given and has attained at least age sixty-six by December 31st in the calendar year in which the annual increase is given; or (b) A beneficiary whose retirement allowance is lower than the minimum benefit provided under RCW 41.40.1984 . (3) If otherwise eligible, those receiving an annual adjustment under RCW 41.40.188 (1)(c) shall be eligible for the annual increase adjustment in addition to the benefit that would have been received absent this section. (4) Those receiving a benefit under RCW 41.40.220 (1), or a survivor of a disabled member under RCW 41.44.170 (5) shall be eligible for the benefit provided by this section. (5) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to receive this postretirement adjustment not granted prior to that time.
RCW 41.05.760 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 760
RCW 41.05.760: Recovery residences—Registry.
Status: in_force

(1) The authority shall establish and maintain a registry of approved recovery residences. The authority may contract with a nationally recognized recovery residence certification organization based in Washington to establish and maintain the registry. (2) The authority or the contracted entity described in subsection (1) of this section shall determine that a recovery residence is approved for inclusion in the registry if the recovery residence has been certified by a nationally recognized recovery residence certification organization based in Washington that is approved by the authority or if the recovery residence is a chapter of a national recovery residence organization with peer-run homes that is approved by the authority as meeting the following standards in its certification process: (a) Peers are required to be involved in the governance of the recovery residence; (b) Recovery support is integrated into the daily activities; (c) The recovery residence must be maintained as a home-like environment that promotes healthy recovery; (d) Resident activities are promoted within the recovery residence and in the community through work, education, community engagement, or other activities; and (e) The recovery residence maintains an environment free from alcohol and illicit drugs. (3) Nothing in this section requires that a recovery residence become certified by the certifying organization approved by the authority in subsection (2) of this section or be included in the registry, unless the recovery residence decides to participate in the recovery residence program activities established in this chapter. (4) For the purposes of this section, "recovery residence" means a home-like environment that promotes healthy recovery from a substance use disorder and supports persons recovering from a substance use disorder through the use of peer recovery support.
RCW 41.20.160 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 160
RCW 41.20.160: Credit for membership in private organization acquired by city of first class.
Status: in_force

Any person affected by this chapter who was a member of a police organization operated by a private enterprise which police organization shall be hereafter acquired before September 1, 1959, by a city of the first class as its police department as a matter of public convenience or necessity, where it is in the public interest to retain the trained personnel of such police organization, shall have added to his or her period of employment as computed under this chapter his or her period of service with said private enterprise, except that this shall apply only to those persons who are in the service of such police organization at the time of its acquisition by the city of the first class and who remain in the service of that city until this chapter shall become applicable to such persons. No such person shall have added to his or her period of employment as computed under this chapter his or her period of service with said private enterprise unless he or she or a third party shall pay to the city his or her contribution for the period of such service with the private enterprise, or, if he or she shall be entitled to any private pension or retirement benefits as a result of such service with the private enterprise, unless he or she agrees at the time of his or her employment by the city to accept a reduction in the payment of any benefits payable under this chapter that are based in whole or in part on such added service by the amount of those private pension or retirement benefits received. The rate of such contribution shall be two percent of the wage or salary of such person during that added period of service with the private enterprise before midnight, June 8, 1955, and four and one-half percent of such wage or salary after midnight, June 8, 1955. Such contributions shall be paid into the police relief and pension fund and shall be held subject to the provisions of RCW 41.20.150 , except that all such contributions shall be deemed to have been made after June 8, 1955. Such contributions may be invested in investments permitted under chapter 35.39 RCW and may be kept invested until required to meet payments of benefits to such persons. The city may receive payments for these purposes from a third party and shall make from such payments contributions with respect to such prior service as may be necessary to enable the police relief and pension fund to assume its obligations.
RCW 41.41.030 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 41 / Section 030
RCW 41.41.030: Effective date for coverage of members.
Status: in_force

The effective date of OASI coverage for state employee members of the state employees' retirement system shall be the 1st day of July, 1957; provided the terms and conditions set forth in RCW 41.48.030 (3) have been fulfilled.
RCW 41.45.207 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 45 / Section 207
RCW 41.45.207: Contribution rates for certain district or municipal court judges—Public employees' retirement system.
Status: in_force

(1) The required employer contribution rate in support of public employees' retirement system members employed as district court judges and municipal court judges who elect to participate under RCW 41.40.127 (1) or 41.40.873 (1), or who are newly elected or appointed after January 1, 2007, shall equal the public employees' retirement system employer contribution rate established under this chapter. (2) The required contribution rate for members of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 employed as district court judges or municipal court judges who elect to participate under RCW 41.40.127 (1) or 41.40.873 (1), or who are newly elected or appointed after January 1, 2007, shall be two hundred fifty percent of the member contribution rate for the public employees' retirement system plan 2 established under this chapter. (3) The required contribution rate for members of the public employees' retirement system plan 1 employed as district court judges or municipal court judges who elect to participate under RCW 41.40.124 (1), or who are newly elected or appointed after January 1, 2007, shall be the contribution rate established under RCW 41.40.330 plus six and twenty-six one-hundredths percent of pay.
RCW 41.05.015 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 015
RCW 41.05.015: Medical director—Appointment of personnel.
Status: in_force

The director shall designate a medical director who is licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW. The director shall also appoint such professional personnel and other assistants and employees, including professional medical screeners, as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and chapters 74.09 , 71.05, 71.24, and 71.34 RCW and other applicable law. The medical screeners must be supervised by one or more physicians whom the director or the director's designee shall appoint.
RCW 41.76.075 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 76 / Section 075
RCW 41.76.075: Retroactive accrual of benefits and salaries.
Status: in_force

Whenever a collective bargaining agreement between an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative is concluded after the termination date of the previous collective bargaining agreement between the same parties, the effective date of the collective bargaining agreement may be the day after the termination date of the previous collective bargaining agreement, and all benefits included in the new collective bargaining agreement, including wage or salary increases, may accrue beginning with the effective date as established by this section.
RCW 41.18.160 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 160
RCW 41.18.160: Certain firefighters may elect to be covered under other law.
Status: in_force

Every firefighter as defined in this chapter heretofore employed as a member of a fire department, whether or not as a prior firefighter as defined in chapter 41.16 RCW, who desires to make the contributions and avail himself or herself of the pension and other benefits of said chapter 41.16 RCW, can do so by handing to and leaving with the firefighters' pension board of his or her municipality a written notice of such intention within sixty days of the effective date of this chapter, or if he or she was on disability retirement under chapter 41.16 RCW, at the effective date of this chapter and has been recalled to active duty by the retirement board, shall give such notice within sixty days of his or her return to active duty, and not otherwise.
RCW 41.50.680 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 680
RCW 41.50.680: Property division obligations—Processing fee.
Status: in_force

The department may deduct a processing fee for administering direct payments under RCW 41.50.670 according to the dissolution order. The fee may not exceed (1) seventy-five dollars or the actual average administrative costs, whichever is less, for the first disbursement made by the department; and (2) six dollars or the actual average administrative costs, whichever is less for subsequent disbursements. The department shall deduct the fee in equal dollar amounts from the obligee's and obligor's payments. The funds collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the department of retirement systems expense account.
RCW 41.50.260 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 260
RCW 41.50.260: Public employees' retirement system funds created.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of the internal accounting record of the public employees' retirement system and not the segregation of moneys on deposit with the state treasurer there are hereby created the employees' savings fund, the benefit account fund, and such other funds as the director may from time to time create. (1) The employees' savings fund shall be the fund in which shall be accumulated the contributions from the compensation of public employees' retirement system members. The director shall provide for the maintenance of an individual account for each member of the public employees' retirement system showing the amount of the member's contributions together with interest accumulations thereon. The contributions of a member returned to the former employee upon the individual's withdrawal from service, or paid in event of the employee's or former employee's death, as provided in chapter 41.40 RCW, shall be paid from the employees' savings fund. The accumulated contributions of a member, upon the commencement of the individual's retirement, shall be transferred from the employees' savings fund to the benefit account fund. (2) The benefit account fund shall be the fund in which shall be accumulated the reserves for the payment of all public employees' retirement system retirement allowances and death benefits, if any, in respect of any beneficiary. The amounts contributed by all public employees' retirement system employers to provide pension benefits shall be credited to the benefit account fund. The benefit account fund shall be the fund from which shall be paid all public employees' retirement system retirement allowances, or benefits in lieu thereof because of which reserves have been transferred from the employees' savings fund to the benefit account fund. At the time a recipient of a retirement allowance again becomes a member of the public employees' retirement system, the department shall transfer from the benefit account fund to the employees' savings fund and credit to the individual account of such a member a sum equal to the excess, if any, of the individual's account at the date of the member's retirement over any service retirement allowance received since that date.
RCW 41.04.382 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 382
RCW 41.04.382: Child care organizations—Qualifications for services.
Status: in_force

In order to qualify for services under RCW 41.04.380 , state employee child care organizations shall be organized as nonprofit under chapter 24.03A RCW.
RCW 41.20.050 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 050
RCW 41.20.050: Pension on retirement for years of service.
Status: in_force

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

Whenever a person has been duly appointed, and has served honorably for a period of twenty-five years, as a member, in any capacity, of the regularly constituted police department of a city subject to the provisions of this chapter, the board, after hearing, if one is requested in writing, may order and direct that such person be retired, and the board shall retire any member so entitled, upon his or her written request therefor. The member so retired hereafter shall be paid from the fund during his or her lifetime a pension equal to fifty percent of the amount of salary at any time hereafter attached to the position held by the retired member for the year preceding the date of his or her retirement: PROVIDED, That, except as to a position higher than that of captain held for at least three calendar years prior to date of retirement, no such pension shall exceed an amount equivalent to fifty percent of the salary of captain, and all existing pensions shall be increased to not less than three hundred dollars per month as of April 25, 1973: PROVIDED FURTHER, That a person hereafter retiring who has served as a member for more than twenty-five years, shall have his or her pension payable under this section increased by two percent of his or her salary per year for each full year of such additional service to a maximum of five additional years. Any person who has served in a position higher than the rank of captain for a minimum of three years may elect to retire at such higher position and receive for his or her lifetime a pension equal to fifty percent of the amount of the salary at any time hereafter attached to the position held by such retired member for the year preceding his or her date of retirement: PROVIDED, That such person make the said election to retire at a higher position by September 1, 1969 and at the time of making the said election, pay into the relief and pension fund in addition to the contribution required by RCW 41.20.130 : (1) an amount equal to six percent of that portion of all monthly salaries previously received upon which a sum equal to six percent has not been previously deducted and paid into the police relief and pension fund; (2) and such person agrees to continue paying into the police relief and pension fund until the date of retirement, in addition to the contributions required by RCW 41.20.130 , an amount equal to six percent of that portion of monthly salary upon which a six percent contribution is not currently deducted pursuant to RCW 41.20.130 . Any person affected by this chapter who at the time of entering the armed services was a member of such police department and is an honorably discharged veteran or received a discharge for physical reasons with an honorable record and whose military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 , shall have added to his or her period of employment as computed under this chapter, his or her period of war service in the armed forces, but such credited service shall not exceed five years and such period of service shall be automatically added to each member's service upon payment by him or her of his or her contribution for the period of his or her absence at the rate provided in RCW 41.20.130 .
RCW 41.35.120 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 120
RCW 41.35.120: False statements—Penalty.
Status: in_force

Any person who knowingly makes any false statements, or falsifies or permits to be falsified any record or records of this retirement system in any attempt to defraud the retirement system as a result of such act, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
RCW 41.14.270 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 270
RCW 41.14.270: City contracts to obtain sheriff's office law enforcement services—Layoffs—Notice—Time limitation for transfers.
Status: in_force

When a city or town shall contract with the county sheriff's office for law enforcement services and as a result thereof lays off any employee who is eligible to transfer to the county sheriff's office pursuant to RCW 41.14.250 and 41.14.260 , the city or town shall notify such employee of his or her right to so transfer and such employee shall have ninety days to transfer his or her employment to the county sheriff's office: PROVIDED, That any employee layed off [laid off] during the year prior to February 21, 1972 shall have ninety days after the effective date to transfer his or her employment.
RCW 41.26.710 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 710
RCW 41.26.710: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Member" or "beneficiary" means: (a) Current and future law enforcement officers and firefighters who are contributing to the plan; (b) Retired employees or their named beneficiaries who receive benefits from the plan; and (c) Separated vested members of the plan who are not currently receiving benefits. (2) "Plan" means the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. (3) "Actuary" means the actuary employed by the board of trustees. (4) "State actuary" means the actuary employed by the department. (5) "Board" means the board of trustees. (6) "Board member" means a member of the board of trustees. (7) "Department" means the department of retirement systems. (8) "Minimum benefits" means those benefits provided for in chapter 41.26 RCW as of July 1, 2003. (9) "Employer" means the same as under *RCW 41.26.030 (2)(b). (10) "Enrolled actuary" means an actuary who is enrolled under the employee retirement income security act of 1974 (Subtitle C of Title III) and who is a member of the society of actuaries or the American academy of actuaries. (11) "Increased benefit" means a benefit in addition to the minimum benefits. (12) "Trust" means the assets of the plan. (13) "Benefits" means the age or service or combination thereof required for retirement, the level of service and disability retirement benefits, survivorship benefits, payment options including a deferred retirement option plan, average final compensation, postretirement cost-of-living adjustments, including health care and the elements of compensation. Benefits shall not include the classifications of employment eligible to participate in the plan. (14) "Actuarially sound" means the plan is sufficiently funded to meet its projected liabilities and to defray the reasonable expenses of its operation based upon commonly accepted, sound actuarial principles.
RCW 41.04.671 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 671
RCW 41.04.671: Parental leave—Use after birth or placement—Use with pregnancy disability leave.
Status: in_force

(1) Parental leave received under RCW 41.04.665 must be used within the sixteen weeks immediately after birth or placement, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section. (2) If a person receiving parental leave also receives leave due to a pregnancy disability, the parental leave may be taken in the sixteen weeks immediately after the pregnancy disability leave. However, parental leave may not be used more than one year after birth.
RCW 41.05.840 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 840
RCW 41.05.840: Universal health care commission.
Status: in_force

(1) The universal health care commission is established to create immediate and impactful changes in the health care access and delivery system in Washington and to prepare the state for the creation of a health care system that provides coverage and access for all Washington residents through a unified financing system once the necessary federal authority has become available. The authority must begin any necessary federal application process within 60 days of its availability. (2) The commission includes the following voting members: (a) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; (b) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate; (c) The secretary of the department of health, or the secretary's designee; (d) The director of the health care authority, or the director's designee; (e) The chief executive officer of the Washington health benefit exchange, or the chief executive officer's designee; (f) The insurance commissioner, or the commissioner's designee; (g) The director of the office of equity, or the director's designee; and (h) Six members appointed by the governor, using an equity lens, with knowledge and experience regarding health care coverage, access, and financing, or other relevant expertise, including at least one consumer representative and at least one invitation to an individual representing tribal governments with knowledge of the Indian health care delivery in the state. (3)(a) The governor must appoint the chair of the commission from any of the members identified in subsection (2) of this section for a term of no more than three years. A majority of the voting members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for any votes of the commission. (b) The commission's meetings shall be open to the public pursuant to chapter 42.30 RCW. The authority must publish on its website the dates and locations of commission meetings, agendas of prior and upcoming commission meetings, and meeting materials for prior and upcoming commission meetings. (4) The health care authority shall staff the commission. (5) Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but must be reimbursed for their travel expenses while on official business in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 . (6) The commission may establish advisory committees that include members of the public with knowledge and experience in health care, in order to support stakeholder engagement and an analytical process by which key design options are developed. A member of an advisory committee need not be a member of the commission. (7) By November 1, 2022, the commission shall submit a baseline report to the legislature and the governor, and post it on the authority's website. The report must include: (a) A complete synthesis of analyses done on Washington's existing health care finance and delivery system, including cost, quality, workforce, and provider consolidation trends and how they impact the state's ability to provide all Washingtonians with timely access to high quality, affordable health care; (b) A strategy for developing implementable changes to the state's health care financing and delivery system to increase access to health care services and health coverage, reduce health care costs, reduce health disparities, improve quality, and prepare for the transition to a unified health care financing system by actively examining data and reports from sources that are monitoring the health care system. Such sources shall include data or reports from the health care cost transparency board under RCW 70.390.070 , the public health advisory board, the governor's interagency coordinating council on health disparities under RCW 43.20.275 , the all-payer health care claims database established under chapter 43.371 RCW, prescription drug price data, performance measure data under chapter 70.320 RCW, and other health care cost containment programs; (c) An inventory of the key design elements of a universal health care system including: (i) A unified financing system including, but not limited to, a single-payer financing system; (ii) Eligibility and enrollment processes and requirements; (iii) Covered benefits and services; (iv) Provider participation; (v) Effective and efficient provider payments, including consideration of global budgets and health plan payments; (vi) Cost containment and savings strategies that are designed to assure that total health care expenditures do not exceed the health care cost growth benchmark established under chapter 70.390 RCW; (vii) Quality improvement strategies; (viii) Participant cost sharing, if appropriate; (ix) Quality monitoring and disparities reduction; (x) Initiatives for improving culturally appropriate health services within public and private health-related agencies; (xi) Strategies to reduce health disparities including, but not limited to, mitigating structural racism and other determinants of health as set forth by the office of equity; (xii) Information technology systems and financial management systems; (xiii) Data sharing and transparency; and (xiv) Governance and administration structure, including integration of federal funding sources; (d) An assessment of the state's current level of preparedness to meet the elements of (c) of this subsection and steps Washington should take to prepare for a just transition to a unified health care financing system, including a single-payer financing system. Recommendations must include, but are not limited to, administrative changes, reorganization of state programs, retraining programs for displaced workers, federal waivers, and statutory and constitutional changes; (e) Recommendations for implementing reimbursement rates for health care providers serving medical assistance clients who are enrolled in programs under chapter 74.09 RCW at a rate that is no less than 80 percent of the rate paid by medicare for similar services; (f) Recommendations for coverage expansions to be implemented prior to and consistent with a universal health care system, including potential funding sources; and (g) Recommendations for the creation of a finance committee to develop a financially feasible model to implement universal health care coverage using state and federal funds. (8) Following the submission of the baseline report on November 1, 2022, the commission must structure its work to continue to further identify opportunities to implement reforms consistent with subsection (7)(b) of this section and to implement structural changes to prepare the state for a transition to a unified health care financing system. The commission must submit annual reports to the governor and the legislature each November 1st, beginning in 2023. The reports must detail the work of the commission, the opportunities identified to advance the goals under subsection (7) of this section, which, if any, of the opportunities a state agency is implementing, which, if any, opportunities should be pursued with legislative policy or fiscal authority, and which opportunities have been identified as beneficial, but lack federal authority to implement. (9) Subject to sufficient existing agency authority, state agencies may implement specific elements of any report issued under this section. This section shall not be construed to authorize the commission to implement a universal health care system through a unified financing system until there is further action by the legislature and the governor. (10) The commission must hold its first meeting within 90 days of July 25, 2021.
RCW 41.28.110 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 28 / Section 110
RCW 41.28.110: Payments on discontinuance of service—Reemployment—Redeposit.
Status: in_force

(1) Should the service of a member be discontinued, except by death or retirement, he or she shall be paid not later than six months after the day of discontinuance such part of his or her accumulated contributions as he or she shall demand: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That a member may appeal to the board and by unanimous vote, the board may grant a request for immediate withdrawal of contributions. If in the opinion of the board said member is permanently separated from service by reason of such discontinuance he or she shall be paid forthwith all of his or her accumulated contributions with interest: AND PROVIDED ALSO, That the board may, in its discretion, withhold for not more than one year after a member last rendered service all or part of his or her accumulated normal contributions if after a previous discontinuance of service he or she withdrew all or part of his or her accumulated normal contributions and failed to redeposit such withdrawn amount in the retirement fund as provided in this section: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the city shall receive credit for the full amount deposited by the city in the retirement fund for such member's benefit plus interest. Any member may redeposit in the retirement fund an amount equal to that which he or she previously withdrew therefrom at the last termination of his or her membership, such redeposit to be paid into the retirement fund in accordance with rules established by the board. If a member upon reentering the retirement system after a termination of his or her membership shall not make such a redeposit as hereinabove provided, the rate of his or her contributions for future years shall be the normal rate provided for in RCW 41.28.040 (1) at his or her age of reentrance; otherwise his or her rate of contribution for future years shall be the same as his or her rate prior to the termination of his or her membership. In the event such redeposit is made by a member, an amount equal to the accumulated normal contributions so redeposited shall again be held for the benefit of said member, and shall no longer be included in the amounts available to meet the obligations of the city on account of benefits that have been granted or liabilities that have been assumed on account of prior service of members, and the city shall reinstate the prior service credit for such member.
RCW 41.32.584 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 584
RCW 41.32.584: Additional benefit for justices or judges—One-time irrevocable election.
Status: in_force

(1) Between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, a member of plan 1 employed as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge may make a one-time irrevocable election, filed in writing with the member's employer, the department, and the administrative office of the courts, to accrue an additional benefit equal to one and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of future service credit from the date of the election. (2)(a) A member who chooses to make the election under subsection (1) of this section may apply to the department to increase the member's benefit multiplier by one and one-half percent per year of service for the period in which the member served as a justice or judge prior to the election. The member may purchase, beginning with the most recent judicial service, the higher benefit multiplier for up to seventy percent of that portion of the member's prior judicial service that would ensure that the member has no more than a seventy-five percent of average final compensation benefit accrued by age sixty-four. The member shall pay five percent of the salary earned for each month of service for which the higher benefit multiplier is being purchased, plus interest as determined by the director. The purchase price shall not exceed the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier. This payment must be made prior to retirement and prior to December 31, 2007. After December 31, 2007, a member may purchase the higher benefit multiplier for any of the member's prior judicial service at the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier, as determined by the director. (b) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member applying to increase the member's benefit multiplier under this section may pay all or part of the cost with a lump sum payment, eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan. The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all lump sum payments, rollovers, and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law.
RCW 41.26.090 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 090
RCW 41.26.090: Retirement for service.
Status: in_force

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

Retirement of a member for service shall be made by the department as follows: (1) Any member having five or more service credit years of service and having attained the age of fifty years shall be eligible for a service retirement allowance and shall be retired upon the member's written request effective the first day following the date upon which the member is separated from service. (2) Any member having five or more service credit years of service, who terminates his or her employment with any employer, may leave his or her contributions in the fund. Any employee who so elects, upon attaining age fifty, shall be eligible to apply for and receive a service retirement allowance based on his or her years of service, commencing on the first day following his or her attainment of age fifty. (3) Any member selecting optional vesting under subsection (2) of this section with less than twenty service credit years of service shall not be covered by the provisions of RCW 41.26.150 , and the member's survivors shall not be entitled to the benefits of RCW 41.26.160 unless his or her death occurs after he or she has attained the age of fifty years. Those members selecting this optional vesting with twenty or more years service shall not be covered by the provisions of RCW 41.26.150 until the attainment of the age of fifty years. A member selecting this optional vesting, with less than twenty service credit years of service credit, who dies prior to attaining the age of fifty years, shall have paid from the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement fund, to such member's surviving spouse, if any, otherwise to such beneficiary as the member shall have designated in writing, or if no such designation has been made, to the personal representative of his or her estate, a lump sum which is equal to the amount of such member's accumulated contributions plus accrued interest. If the vested member has twenty or more service credit years of service credit the surviving spouse or children shall then become eligible for the benefits of RCW 41.26.160 regardless of the member's age at the time of his or her death, to the exclusion of the lump sum amount provided by this subsection. (4) Any member who has attained the age of sixty years shall be retired on the first day of the calendar month next succeeding that in which said member shall have attained the age of sixty and may not thereafter be employed as a law enforcement officer or firefighter: PROVIDED, That for any member who is elected or appointed to the office of sheriff, chief of police, or fire chief, his or her election or appointment shall be considered as a waiver of the age sixty provision for retirement and nonemployment for whatever number of years remain in his or her present term of office and any succeeding periods for which he or she may be so elected or appointed. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any member who is employed as a law enforcement officer or firefighter on March 1, 1970.
RCW 41.26.120 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 120
RCW 41.26.120: Retirement for disability incurred in the line of duty.
Status: in_force

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

Any member, regardless of age or years of service may be retired by the disability board, subject to approval by the director as hereinafter provided, for any disability incurred in the line of duty which has been continuous since his or her discontinuance of service and which renders the member unable to continue service. No disability retirement allowance shall be paid until the expiration of a period of six months after the discontinuance of service during which period the member, if found to be physically or mentally unfit for duty by the disability board following receipt of his or her application for disability retirement, shall be granted a disability leave by the disability board and shall receive an allowance equal to the full monthly salary and shall continue to receive all other benefits provided to active employees from the employer for such period. However, if, at any time during the initial six-month period, the disability board finds the beneficiary is no longer disabled, the disability leave allowance shall be canceled and the member shall be restored to duty in the same rank or position, if any, held by the beneficiary at the time the member became disabled. Applications for disability retirement shall be processed in accordance with the following procedures: (1) Any member who believes he or she is or is believed to be physically or mentally disabled shall be examined by such medical authority as the disability board shall employ, upon application of said member, or a person acting in his or her behalf, stating that said member is disabled, either physically or mentally: PROVIDED, That no such application shall be considered unless said member or someone in his or her behalf, in case of the incapacity of a member, shall have filed the application within a period of one year from and after the discontinuance of service of said member. (2) If the examination shows, to the satisfaction of the disability board, that the member is physically or mentally disabled from the further performance of duty, that such disability was incurred in the line of duty, and that such disability has been continuous from the discontinuance of service, the disability board shall enter its written decision and order, accompanied by appropriate findings of fact and by conclusions evidencing compliance with this chapter as now or hereafter amended, granting the member a disability retirement allowance; otherwise, if the member is not found by the disability board to be so disabled, the application shall be denied pursuant to a similar written decision and order, subject to appeal to the director in accordance with RCW 41.26.200 : PROVIDED, That in any order granting a duty disability retirement allowance, the disability board shall make a finding that the disability was incurred in line of duty. (3) Every order of a disability board granting a duty disability retirement allowance shall forthwith be reviewed by the director except the finding that the disability was incurred in the line of duty. The director may affirm the decision of the disability board or remand the case for further proceedings, or the director may reverse the decision of the disability board if the director finds the disability board's findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are: (a) In violation of constitutional provisions; or (b) In excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the disability board; or (c) Made upon unlawful procedure; or (d) Affected by other error of law; or (e) Clearly erroneous in view of the entire record as submitted and the public policy contained in this chapter; or (f) Arbitrary or capricious. (4) Every member who can establish, to the disability board, that he or she is physically or mentally disabled from the further performance of duty, that such disability was incurred in the line of duty, and that such disability will be in existence for a period of at least six months may waive the six-month period of disability leave and be immediately granted a duty disability retirement allowance, subject to the approval of the director as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
RCW 41.05.430 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 430
RCW 41.05.430: Plan of health care coverage—Immediate postpartum contraception devices.
Status: in_force

(1) For births taking place in a licensed hospital or birthing center, a health plan offered to employees and their covered dependents must allow a provider to separately bill for devices, implants, professional services, or a combination thereof, associated with immediate postpartum contraception and may not consider such devices, implants, services, or combinations thereof to be part of any payments for general obstetric procedures. (2) For purposes of this section, "immediate postpartum contraception" means the postpartum insertion of intrauterine devices or contraceptive implants performed before the patient is discharged from the hospital or birthing center and includes the devices or implants themselves. (3) This section does not apply to facility services associated with immediate postpartum contraception. (4) Nothing in this section affects an enrollee's right to directly access women's health care services, including contraceptive services. (5) This section applies to health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023.
RCW 41.40.073 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 073
RCW 41.40.073: Hearing prior to appeal—Conduct of hearing.
Status: in_force

Following its receipt of a notice for hearing in accordance with RCW 41.40.068 , a hearing shall be held by the director or a duly authorized representative, in the county of the residence of the claimant at a time and place designated by the director. Such hearing shall be conducted and governed in all respects by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.
RCW 41.05.600 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 600
RCW 41.05.600: Mental health services—Definition—Coverage required, when.
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section, "mental health services" means: (a) For health benefit plans issued or renewed before January 1, 2021, medically necessary outpatient and inpatient services provided to treat mental disorders covered by the diagnostic categories listed in the most current version of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, published by the American psychiatric association, on June 11, 2020, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the director by rule, consistent with the purposes of chapter 6, Laws of 2005, with the exception of the following categories, codes, and services: (i) Substance related disorders; (ii) life transition problems, currently referred to as "V" codes, and diagnostic codes 302 through 302.9 as found in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edition, published by the American psychiatric association; (iii) skilled nursing facility services, home health care, residential treatment, and custodial care; and (iv) court ordered treatment unless the authority's or contracted insuring entity's medical director determines the treatment to be medically necessary; and (b) For health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2021, medically necessary outpatient and inpatient services provided to treat mental health and substance use disorders covered by the diagnostic categories listed in the most current version of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, published by the American psychiatric association, on June 11, 2020, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the director by rule, consistent with the purposes of chapter 6, Laws of 2005. (2) All health benefit plans offered to public employees and their covered dependents under this chapter that provide coverage for medical and surgical services shall provide coverage for: (a) Mental health services. The copayment or coinsurance for mental health services may be no more than the copayment or coinsurance for medical and surgical services otherwise provided under the health benefit plan. Wellness and preventive services that are provided or reimbursed at a lesser copayment, coinsurance, or other cost sharing than other medical and surgical services are excluded from this comparison. If the health benefit plan imposes a maximum out-of-pocket limit or stop loss, it shall be a single limit or stop loss for medical, surgical, and mental health services. If the health benefit plan imposes any deductible, mental health services shall be included with medical and surgical services for the purpose of meeting the deductible requirement. Treatment limitations or any other financial requirements on coverage for mental health services are only allowed if the same limitations or requirements are imposed on coverage for medical and surgical services; and (b) Prescription drugs intended to treat any of the disorders covered in subsection (1) of this section to the same extent, and under the same terms and conditions, as other prescription drugs covered by the health benefit plan. (3) This section does not prohibit a requirement that mental health services be medically necessary, if a comparable requirement is applicable to medical and surgical services. (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the management of mental health. (5) The director will consider care management techniques for mental health services if a comparable benefit management requirement is applicable to medical and surgical services, including but not limited to: (a) Authorized treatment plans; (b) preauthorization requirements based on the type of service; (c) concurrent and retrospective utilization review; (d) utilization management practices; (e) discharge coordination and planning; and (f) contracting with and using a network of participating providers.
RCW 41.04.039 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 039
RCW 41.04.039: Washington state combined fund drive account—Created.
Status: in_force

The Washington state combined fund drive account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from the combined fund drive must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the beneficiaries of the Washington state combined fund drive. Only the secretary of state or the secretary's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is not subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, and an appropriation is not required for expenditures.
RCW 41.05.850 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 850
RCW 41.05.850: Abortion coverage—Cost sharing.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a health plan offered to public employees and their covered dependents under this chapter issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2024, that provides coverage for abortion may not impose cost sharing for the abortion of a pregnancy. (2) For a health plan that provides coverage for abortion of a pregnancy and is offered as a qualifying health plan for a health savings account, the health plan shall establish the plan's cost sharing for the coverage required by this section at the minimum level necessary to preserve the enrollee's ability to claim tax exempt contributions and withdrawals from the enrollee's health savings account under internal revenue service laws and regulations.
RCW 41.14.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 040
RCW 41.14.040: Combined system authorized in counties with populations of less than forty thousand.
Status: in_force

Any counties with populations of less than forty thousand, whether contiguous or not, are authorized to establish and operate a combined civil service system to serve all counties so combined. The combination of any such counties shall be effective whenever each board of county commissioners of the counties involved adopts a resolution declaring intention to participate in the operation of a combined county civil service system in accordance with agreements made between any such counties. Any such combined county civil service commission shall serve the employees of each county sheriff's office impartially and according to need. All matters affecting the combined civil service commission, including the selection of commissioners, shall be decided by majority vote of all the county commissioners of the counties involved. All the provisions of this chapter shall apply equally to any such combined civil service system.
RCW 41.18.042 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 042
RCW 41.18.042: Actuarially reduced retirement allowance—Spousal benefit.
Status: in_force

(1) Any retired firefighter married to a spouse ineligible for survivor benefits under RCW 41.18.040 , 41.18.080 , and 41.18.100 may choose an actuarially equivalent benefit adopted by the board that pays the retired firefighter a reduced retirement allowance, and upon death such portion of the retired firefighter's reduced retirement allowance as designated by the retired firefighter shall be continued throughout the life of the spouse. (2) A retired firefighter who married a spouse ineligible for survivor benefits under RCW 41.18.040 , 41.18.080 , and 41.18.100 prior to July 26, 2009, has one year after July 26, 2009, to designate their spouse as a survivor beneficiary. (3) The benefit provided to a child survivor beneficiary under RCW 41.18.040 , 41.18.080 , and 41.18.100 shall not be affected or reduced by the retired firefighter's selection of the actuarially reduced spousal survivor benefit provided by this section, and shall be equivalent to the amount payable as if the choice under subsection (1) of this section was not made. (4)(a) Any retired firefighter who chose to receive a reduced retirement allowance under subsection (1) of this section is entitled to receive a retirement allowance adjusted in accordance with (b) of this subsection if: (i) The retiree's survivor spouse designated in subsection (1) of this section predeceases the retiree; and (ii) The retiree provides to the board proper proof of the designated beneficiary's death. (b) The retirement allowance payable to the retiree from the beginning of the month following the date of the beneficiary's death shall be the current monthly amount payable as if the selection under subsection (1) of this section was not made.
RCW 41.59.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 59 / Section 020
RCW 41.59.020: Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter: (1) The term "employee organization" means any organization, union, association, agency, committee, council, or group of any kind in which employees participate, and which exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining with employers. (2) The term "collective bargaining" or "bargaining" means the performance of the mutual obligation of the representatives of the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative to meet at reasonable times in light of the time limitations of the budget-making process, and to bargain in good faith in an effort to reach agreement with respect to the wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment: PROVIDED, That prior law, practice or interpretation shall be neither restrictive, expansive, nor determinative with respect to the scope of bargaining. A written contract incorporating any agreements reached shall be executed if requested by either party. The obligation to bargain does not compel either party to agree to a proposal or to make a concession. In the event of a dispute between an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative over the matters that are terms and conditions of employment, the commission shall decide which item(s) are mandatory subjects for bargaining and which item(s) are nonmandatory. (3) The term "commission" means the public employment relations commission established by RCW 41.58.010 . (4) The terms "employee" and "educational employee" means any certificated employee of a school district, except: (a) The chief executive officer of the employer. (b) The chief administrative officers of the employer, which shall mean the superintendent of the district, deputy superintendents, administrative assistants to the superintendent, assistant superintendents, and business manager. Title variation from all positions enumerated in this subsection (b) may be appealed to the commission for determination of inclusion in, or exclusion from, the term "educational employee". (c) Confidential employees, which shall mean: (i) Any person who participates directly on behalf of an employer in the formulation of labor relations policy, the preparation for or conduct of collective bargaining, or the administration of collective bargaining agreements, except that the role of such person is not merely routine or clerical in nature but calls for the consistent exercise of independent judgment; and (ii) Any person who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to such person. (d) Unless included within a bargaining unit pursuant to RCW 41.59.080 , any supervisor, which means any employee having authority, in the interest of an employer, to hire, assign, promote, transfer, layoff, recall, suspend, discipline, or discharge other employees, or to adjust their grievances, or to recommend effectively such action, if in connection with the foregoing the exercise of such authority is not merely routine or clerical in nature but calls for the consistent exercise of independent judgment, and shall not include any persons solely by reason of their membership on a faculty tenure or other governance committee or body. The term "supervisor" shall include only those employees who perform a preponderance of the above-specified acts of authority. (e) Unless included within a bargaining unit pursuant to RCW 41.59.080 , principals and assistant principals in school districts. (5) The term "employer" means any school district. (6) The term "exclusive bargaining representative" means any employee organization which has: (a) Been selected or designated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter as the representative of the employees in an appropriate collective bargaining unit; or (b) Prior to January 1, 1976, been recognized under a predecessor statute as the representative of the employees in an appropriate collective bargaining or negotiations unit. (7) The term "person" means one or more individuals, organizations, unions, associations, partnerships, corporations, boards, committees, commissions, agencies, or other entities, or their representatives. (8) The term "nonsupervisory employee" means all educational employees other than principals, assistant principals and supervisors.
RCW 41.35.460 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 460
RCW 41.35.460: Death benefits.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in RCW 11.07.010 , if a member or a vested member who has not completed at least ten years of service dies, the amount of the accumulated contributions standing to such member's credit in the retirement system at the time of such member's death, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If there be no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, such member's accumulated contributions standing to such member's credit in the retirement system, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse as if in fact such spouse had been nominated by written designation, or if there be no such surviving spouse, then to such member's legal representatives. (2) If a member who is eligible for retirement or a member who has completed at least ten years of service dies, the surviving spouse or eligible child or children shall elect to receive either: (a) A retirement allowance computed as provided for in RCW 41.35.420 , actuarially reduced by the amount of any lump sum benefit identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 and actuarially adjusted to reflect a joint and one hundred percent survivor option under RCW 41.35.220 and, except under subsection (4) of this section, if the member was not eligible for normal retirement at the date of death a further reduction as described in RCW 41.35.420 ; if a surviving spouse who is receiving a retirement allowance dies leaving a child or children of the member under the age of majority, then such child or children shall continue to receive an allowance in an amount equal to that which was being received by the surviving spouse, share and share alike, until such child or children reach the age of majority; if there is no surviving spouse eligible to receive an allowance at the time of the member's death, such member's child or children under the age of majority shall receive an allowance, share and share alike, calculated as herein provided making the assumption that the ages of the spouse and member were equal at the time of the member's death; or (b) The member's accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 . (3) If a member who is eligible for retirement or a member who has completed at least ten years of service dies and is not survived by a spouse or an eligible child, then the accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid: (a) To a person or persons, estate, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department; or (b) If there is no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, then to the member's legal representatives. (4) A member who is killed in the course of employment, as determined by the director of the department of labor and industries, or a member who has left the employ of an employer due to service in the national guard or military reserves and dies while honorably serving in the national guard or military reserves during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 , is not subject to an actuarial reduction under RCW 41.35.420 . The member's retirement allowance is computed under RCW 41.35.400 .
RCW 41.44.250 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 250
RCW 41.44.250: Suspension of retirement allowance.
Status: in_force

The payment of any retirement allowance to a member who has been retired from service shall be suspended during the time that the beneficiary is in receipt of compensation for service to any city or town that is a member of the statewide city employees' retirement system, except as to the amount by which such retirement allowance may exceed such compensation for the same period. It is the intent of this section to prevent any retired person from being able to receive both his or her retirement allowance and compensation for service to any city or town that is a member of the statewide city employees' retirement system: PROVIDED, That nothing in this section shall prevent county or state welfare departments from furnishing to any retired employee under the terms of this chapter the hospital, medical, dental, and other benefits granted to pensioners under the provisions of Title 74 RCW.
RCW 41.05A.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05A / Section 040
RCW 41.05A.040: Time limit for collection of overpayments or other debts—Write-offs of debts.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, including subsection (2) of this section, there may be no collection of overpayments and other debts due the authority after the expiration of six years from the date of notice of such overpayment or other debt unless the authority has commenced recovery action in a court of law or unless an administrative remedy authorized by statute is in place. However, any amount due in a case thus extended ceases to be a debt due the authority at the expiration of ten years from the date of the notice of the overpayment or other debt unless a court-ordered remedy would be in effect for a longer period. (2) There may be no collection of debts due the authority after the expiration of twenty years from the date a lien is recorded pursuant to RCW 41.05A.090 . (3) The authority, at any time, may accept offers of compromise of disputed claims or may grant partial or total write-off of any debt due the authority if it is no longer cost-effective to pursue. The authority shall adopt rules establishing the considerations to be made in the granting or denial of a partial or total write-off of debts.
RCW 41.18.050 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 050
RCW 41.18.050: Disablement in line of duty—Retirement.
Status: in_force

Every firefighter who shall become disabled as a result of the performance of duty may be retired at the expiration of six months from the date of his or her disability, upon his or her written request filed with his or her retirement board. The board may, upon such request being filed, consult such medical advice as it sees fit, and may have the applicant examined by such physicians as it deems desirable. If from the reports of such physicians the board finds the applicant capable of performing his or her duties in the fire department, the board may refuse to recommend his or her retirement. If, after the expiration of six months from the date of his or her disability, the board deems it for the good of the fire department or the pension fund it may recommend the retirement of a firefighter disabled as a result of the performance of duty without any request for the same by him or her, and after having been given by the board a thirty days' written notice of such recommendation he or she shall be retired.
RCW 41.04.800 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 800
RCW 41.04.800: Chapter not applicable to officers and employees of state convention and trade center.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to the officers and employees of the nonprofit corporation formed under *chapter 67.40 RCW.
RCW 41.26.735 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 735
RCW 41.26.735: Asset management.
Status: in_force

Assets of the plan shall be managed by the state investment board as provided by law.
RCW 41.04.270 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 270
RCW 41.04.270: Public retirement systems—Members or beneficiaries estopped from becoming a member or accruing rights in any other public retirement system—Exceptions.
Status: in_force

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

(1) Except as provided in chapter 2.10 , 2.12, 41.26, 41.28, 41.32, 41.35, 41.37, 41.40, or 43.43 RCW, on and after March 19, 1976, any member or former member who (a) receives a retirement allowance earned by the former member as deferred compensation from any public retirement system authorized by the general laws of this state, or (b) is eligible to receive a retirement allowance from any public retirement system listed in RCW 41.50.030 , but chooses not to apply, or (c) is the beneficiary of a disability allowance from any public retirement system listed in RCW 41.50.030 shall be estopped from becoming a member of or accruing any contractual rights whatsoever in any other public retirement system listed in RCW 41.50.030 : PROVIDED, That (a) and (b) of this subsection shall not apply to persons who have accumulated less than fifteen years service credit in any such system. (2) Nothing in this section is intended to apply to any retirement system except those listed in RCW 41.50.030 and the city employee retirement systems for Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane. Subsection (1)(b) of this section does not apply to a dual member as defined in RCW 41.54.010 .
RCW 41.54.032 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 54 / Section 032
RCW 41.54.032: Calculation of disability retirement allowance.
Status: in_force

(1) If a dual member becomes disabled, the member's service in all systems may be combined for the sole purpose of determining the member's eligibility to receive a disability retirement allowance from the member's current system. (2) The member's current system shall use its own criteria to: (a) Determine the member's eligibility for a disability retirement allowance; and (b) Calculate the disability retirement allowance based on service actually established in the current system. The member shall be allowed to substitute the member's base salary from any system as the compensation used in calculating the allowance. (3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall not apply to the member's prior system. (4) A dual member who is eligible to receive a disability retirement under the current system may elect to receive a service retirement from all prior systems and to receive service retirement allowances calculated as provided in this section. Each system shall calculate the service retirement allowance using its own criteria except that the member shall be allowed to substitute the member's base salary from any system as the compensation used in calculating the service retirement allowance. (5) The service retirement allowances from a system which, but for this section, would not be allowed to be paid at this date based on the dual member's age, may be received immediately or deferred to a later date. The allowances shall be actuarially adjusted from the earliest age upon which the combined service would have made such dual member eligible in that system. (6) This section shall not apply to any disability benefit under: (a) RCW 41.40.220 ; or (b) The Washington state patrol retirement system established under chapter 43.43 RCW.
RCW 41.40.131 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 131
RCW 41.40.131: Purchase of life annuity benefit.
Status: in_force

(1) At the time of retirement, a plan 1 member may purchase an optional actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 fund established in RCW 41.50.075 . A minimum payment of five thousand dollars is required. (2) At the time of retirement, a plan 2 or plan 3 member may purchase an optional actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit from the public employees' retirement system combined plan 2 and plan 3 fund established in RCW 41.50.075 . A minimum payment of five thousand dollars is required. (3) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member purchasing an annuity under this section must pay all of the cost with an eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan. (a) The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all eligible rollovers and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law. (b) For the purposes of this subsection (3), "eligible retirement plan" means a tax qualified plan offered by a governmental employer. (4) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future.
RCW 41.26.059 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 059
RCW 41.26.059: Establishing, restoring service credit.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, persons who fail to: (1) Establish allowable membership service not previously credited; (2) Restore all or a part of that previously credited membership service represented by withdrawn contributions; or (3) Restore service credit represented by a lump sum payment in lieu of benefits, before the deadline established by statute, may do so under the conditions set forth in RCW 41.50.165 .
RCW 41.34.130 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 34 / Section 130
RCW 41.34.130: Self-directed investment—Default investment options—Duties of state investment board and department—Expenses—Recordkeeping.
Status: in_force

(1) The state investment board has the full authority to invest all self-directed investment moneys in accordance with RCW 43.84.150 and 43.33A.140 , the default investment options set forth in RCW 41.34.060 (1), and cumulative investment directions received pursuant to RCW 41.34.060 and this section. In carrying out this authority the state investment board, after consultation with the department regarding any recommendations made pursuant to RCW 41.50.088 (1)(b), shall provide a set of options for members to choose from for self-directed investment. (2) All investment and operating costs of the state investment board associated with making self-directed investments or the default investment options set forth in RCW 41.34.060 (1) shall be paid by members and recovered under procedures agreed to by the department and the state investment board pursuant to the principles set forth in RCW 43.33A.160 and 43.84.160 . All other expenses caused by self-directed investment shall be paid by the member in accordance with rules established by the department under RCW 41.50.088 . With the exception of these expenses, all earnings from self-directed investments shall accrue to the member's account. (3)(a)(i) The department shall keep or cause to be kept full and adequate accounts and records of each individual member's account. The department shall account for and report on the investment of defined contribution assets or may enter into an agreement with the state investment board for such accounting and reporting under this chapter. (ii) The department's duties related to individual participant accounts include conducting the activities of trade instruction, settlement activities, and direction of cash movement and related wire transfers with the custodian bank and outside investment firms. (iii) The department has sole responsibility for contracting with any recordkeepers for individual participant accounts and shall manage the performance of recordkeepers under those contracts. (b)(i) The department's duties under (a)(ii) of this subsection do not limit the authority of the state investment board to conduct its responsibilities for asset management and balancing of the deferred compensation funds. (ii) The state investment board has sole responsibility for contracting with outside investment firms to provide investment management for the deferred compensation funds and shall manage the performance of investment managers under those contracts. (c) The state treasurer shall designate and define the terms of engagement for the custodial banks.
RCW 41.16.145 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 16 / Section 145
RCW 41.16.145: Annual increase in benefits payable on retirement for service, death in line of duty, and disability—Appeals.
Status: in_force

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

The amount of all benefits payable under the provisions of RCW 41.16.080 , 41.16.120 , 41.16.130 , 41.16.140 and 41.16.230 shall be increased annually as hereafter in this section provided. The local pension board shall meet subsequent to March 31st but prior to June 30th of each year for the purposes of adjusting benefit allowances payable pursuant to the aforementioned sections. The local board shall determine the increase in the consumer price index between January 1st and December 31st of the previous year and increase in dollar amount the benefits payable subsequent to July 1st of the year in which said board makes such determination by a dollar amount proportionate to the increase in the consumer price index: PROVIDED, That regardless of the change in the consumer price index, such increase shall be at least two percent each year such adjustment is made. Each year effective with the July payment all benefits specified herein, shall be increased by this section. This benefit increase shall be paid monthly as part of the regular pension payment and shall be cumulative. The increased benefits authorized by this section shall not affect any benefit payable under the provisions of chapter 41.16 RCW in which the benefit payment is attached to a current salary of the rank held at time of retirement. A beneficiary of benefit increases provided for pursuant to this section is hereby authorized to appeal a decision on such increases or the failure of the local pension board to order such increased benefits or the amount of such benefits to the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' system retirement board provided for in *RCW 41.26.050 . For the purpose of this section the term "consumer price index" shall mean, for any calendar year, the consumer price index for the Seattle, Washington area as compiled by the bureau of labor statistics of the United States department of labor.
RCW 41.04.017 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 017
RCW 41.04.017: Death benefit—Course of employment—Occupational disease or infection.
Status: in_force

A one hundred fifty thousand dollar death benefit shall be paid as a sundry claim to the estate of an employee of any state agency, the common school system of the state, or institution of higher education who dies as a result of (1) injuries sustained in the course of employment; or (2) an occupational disease or infection that arises naturally and proximately out of employment covered under this chapter, and is not otherwise provided a death benefit through coverage under their enrolled retirement system under chapter 402, Laws of 2003. The determination of eligibility for the benefit shall be made consistent with Title 51 RCW by the department of labor and industries. The department of labor and industries shall notify the director of the department of enterprise services by order under RCW 51.52.050 .
RCW 41.16.190 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 16 / Section 190
RCW 41.16.190: Waiting period—Disability retirement.
Status: in_force

No firefighter disabled in the performance of duty shall receive a pension until six months has elapsed after such disability was sustained. Therefore, whenever the retirement board, pursuant to examination by the board's physician and such other evidence as it may require, shall find a firefighter has been disabled while in the performance of his or her duties, it shall declare him or her inactive. For a period of six months from the time he or she became disabled, he or she shall continue to draw full pay from his or her municipality and in addition thereto he or she shall, at the expense of the municipality, be provided with such medical, hospital and nursing care as the retirement board deems proper. If the board finds at the expiration of six months that the firefighter is unable to return to and perform his or her duties, then he or she shall be retired as herein provided.
RCW 41.32.350 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 350
RCW 41.32.350: Purchase of additional annuity—Member contribution rate.
Status: in_force

A member may make an additional lump sum payment at date of retirement, not to exceed the member's accumulated contributions, to purchase additional annuity. A contribution of six percent of earnable compensation is required from each member, except as provided under RCW 41.32.013 .
RCW 41.40.767 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 767
RCW 41.40.767: Justices or judges retirement allowance—In lieu of RCW 41.40.620.
Status: in_force

(1) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.620 , the retirement allowance payable for service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, for those justices or judges who elected to participate under RCW 41.40.124 (1), shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service earned after the election. The total retirement benefit accrued or purchased under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to the election shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation. (2) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.620 , the retirement allowance payable for service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, for those justices or judges newly elected or appointed after January 1, 2007, shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service after January 1, 2007. The total retirement benefits accrued under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to January 1, 2007, shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.
RCW 41.18.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 020
RCW 41.18.020: Powers and duties of board.
Status: in_force

The board, in addition to such general and special powers as are vested in it by the provisions of chapter 41.16 RCW, which powers the board shall have with respect to this chapter shall have power to: (1) Generally supervise and control the administration of this chapter; (2) Pass upon and allow or disallow applications for pensions or other benefits provided by this chapter; (3) Provide for payment from the firefighters' pension fund of necessary expenses of maintenance and administration required by the provisions of this chapter; (4) Make rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter for the purpose of carrying out and effecting the same; (5) Require the physicians appointed under the provisions of chapter 41.16 RCW, to examine and report to the board upon all applications for relief and pensions under this chapter; and (6) Perform such acts, receive such compensation and enjoy such immunity as provided in RCW 41.16.040 .
RCW 41.26.715 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 715
RCW 41.26.715: Board of trustees—Created—Selection of trustees—Terms of office—Vacancies.
Status: in_force

(1) An eleven member board of trustees is hereby created. (a) Before January 1, 2007, three of the board members shall be active law enforcement officers who are participants in the plan. Beginning with the first vacancy on or after January 1, 2007, two board members shall be active law enforcement officers who are participants in the plan and one board member shall be either an active or a retired law enforcement officer who is a participant of the plan. The law enforcement officer board members shall be appointed by the governor from a list provided by a recognized statewide council whose membership consists exclusively of guilds, associations, and unions representing state and local government police officers, deputies, and sheriffs and excludes federal law enforcement officers. (b) Before January 1, 2007, three of the board members shall be active firefighters who are participants in the plan. Beginning with the first vacancy on or after January 1, 2007, two board members shall be active firefighters who are participants in the plan and one board member shall be either an active or a retired firefighter who is a participant of the plan. The firefighter board members shall be appointed by the governor from a list provided by a recognized statewide council, affiliated with an international association representing the interests of firefighters. (c) Three of the board members shall be representatives of employers and shall be appointed by the governor. (d) One board member shall be a member of the house of representatives who is appointed by the governor based on the recommendation of the speaker of the house of representatives. (e) One board member shall be a member of the senate who is appointed by the governor based on the recommendation of the majority leader of the senate. (f) After January 1, 2008, at least one board member must be a retired participant of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. This member may be appointed under (a) through (e) of this subsection. (2) The initial law enforcement officer and firefighter board members shall serve terms of six, four, and two years, respectively. Thereafter, law enforcement officer and firefighter board members serve terms of six years. The initial employer representative board members shall serve terms of four, five, and six years, respectively. Thereafter, employer representative board members serve terms of four years. The initial legislative board members shall serve terms of five years and six months. Thereafter, legislative board members serve terms of two years, which begin on January 1st of odd-numbered years. Board members may be reappointed to succeeding terms without limitation. Board members shall serve until their successors are appointed and seated. (3) In the event of a vacancy on the board, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as prescribed for an initial appointment.
RCW 41.24.140 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 140
RCW 41.24.140: Guardian may be appointed.
Status: in_force

A local board may appoint a guardian whenever and wherever the claim of a participant or his or her beneficiary would, in the opinion of the local board, be best served by the appointment. The local board shall have full power to make and direct the payments under this chapter to any person entitled to the payments without the necessity of any guardianship or administration proceedings, when in its judgment, it shall determine it to be for the best interests of the beneficiary.
RCW 41.47.010 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 47 / Section 010
RCW 41.47.010: Benefits of federal act accepted.
Status: in_force

The state of Washington in behalf of all its eligible officials and employees and the eligible officials and employees of all its counties, cities and towns, and of any and all other of its municipal corporations and political subdivisions which levy taxes and employ and pay salaries and wages to officials and employees including public utility districts, hereby accepts the benefits of the old age and survivors' insurance benefit provisions of the federal social security act, whenever the provisions of such act are extended to embrace such officials and employees.
RCW 41.24.090 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 090
RCW 41.24.090: Meetings.
Status: in_force

A board of trustees shall meet on the call of its chair on a regular monthly meeting day when there is business to come before it. The chair shall be required to call a meeting on any regular meeting day at the request of any member of the fund or his or her beneficiary claiming any relief or retirement pension.Every physician attending a pregnant woman in the state of Washington during gestation shall, in the case of each woman so attended, take or cause to be taken a sample of blood of such woman at the time of first examination, and submit such sample to an approved laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis. If the pregnant woman first presents herself for examination after the fifth month of gestation the physician or other attendant shall in addition to the above, advise and urge the patient to secure a medical examination and blood test before the fifth month of any subsequent pregnancies.
RCW 41.32.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 020
RCW 41.32.020: Name of system.
Status: in_force

The name of the retirement system provided for in this chapter shall be the "Washington State Teachers' Retirement System" and by this name all of its business shall be transacted and all of its funds invested and all of its cash, securities and other property held.
RCW 41.37.060 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 37 / Section 060
RCW 41.37.060: Duty disability retirement recipients—Continued service credit.
Status: in_force

Those members subject to this chapter who became disabled in the line of duty and who received or are receiving benefits under Title 51 RCW or a similar federal workers' compensation program shall receive or continue to receive service credit subject to the following: (1) No member may receive more than one month's service credit in a calendar month. (2) No service credit under this section may be allowed after a member separates or is separated without leave of absence. (3) Employer contributions shall be paid by the employer at the rate in effect for the period of the service credited. (4) Employee contributions shall be collected by the employer and paid to the department at the rate in effect for the period of service credited. (5) Contributions shall be based on the regular compensation which the member would have received had the disability not occurred. If contribution payments are made retroactively, interest shall be charged at the rate set by the director on both employee and employer contributions. Service credit shall not be granted until the employee contribution has been paid. (6) The service and compensation credit shall not be granted for a period to exceed twenty-four consecutive months. (7) Should the legislature revoke the service credit authorized under this section or repeal this section, no affected employee is entitled to receive the credit as a matter of contractual right.
RCW 41.32.812 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 812
RCW 41.32.812: Service credit for half-time employment from October 1, 1977, through December 31, 1986.
Status: in_force

The department of retirement systems shall credit at least one-half service credit month for each month of each school year, as defined by *RCW 28A.150.040 , from October 1, 1977, through December 31, 1986, to a member of the teachers' retirement system plan 2 who was employed by an employer, as defined by RCW 41.32.010 , under a contract for half-time employment as determined by the department for such school year and from whose compensation contributions were paid by the employee or picked up by the employer. Any withdrawn contributions shall be restored under **RCW 41.32.500 (1) or 41.50.165 prior to crediting any service.
RCW 41.26.435 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 435
RCW 41.26.435: Transfer of service credit from other retirement system—Enforcement officer for department of fish and wildlife.
Status: in_force

(1) A member of plan 2 who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 while employed as an enforcement officer for the department of fish and wildlife has the option to make an election no later than December 31, 2009, filed in writing with the department of retirement systems, to transfer all service credit previously earned as an enforcement officer in the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. Service credit that a member elects to transfer from the public employees' retirement system to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system under this section shall be transferred no earlier than June 30, 2012, and only after the member completes payment as provided in subsection (2) of this section. (2)(a) A member who elects to transfer service credit under subsection (1) of this section shall make the payments required by this subsection prior to having service credit earned as an enforcement officer with the department of fish and wildlife under the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 transferred to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. (b) A member who elects to transfer service credit from the public employees' retirement system plan 2 under this subsection shall pay, for the applicable period of service, the difference between the contributions the employee paid to the public employees' retirement system plan 2 and the contributions that would have been paid by the employee had the employee been a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2, plus interest on this difference as determined by the director. This payment must be made no later than June 30, 2014, and must be made prior to retirement. (c) A member who elects to transfer service credit from the public employees' retirement system plan 3 under this subsection shall transfer to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2, for the applicable period of service, the full balance of the member's defined contribution account within plan 3 as of the effective date of the transfer. At no time will the member pay, for the applicable period of service, a sum less than the contributions that would have been paid by the employee had the employee been a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2, plus interest as determined by the director. This transfer and any additional payment, if necessary, must be made no later than June 30, 2014, and must be made prior to retirement. (d) Upon completion of the payment required in (b) of this subsection, the department shall transfer from the public employees' retirement system to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2: (i) All of the employee's applicable accumulated contributions plus interest and all of the applicable employer contributions plus interest; and (ii) all applicable months of service, as defined in *RCW 41.26.030 (28)(b), credited to the employee under this chapter for service as an enforcement officer with the department of fish and wildlife as though that service was rendered as a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. (e) Upon completion of the payment required in (c) of this subsection, the department shall transfer from the public employees' retirement system to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2: (i) All of the employee's applicable accumulated contributions plus interest and all of the applicable employer contributions plus interest; and (ii) all applicable months of service, as defined in *RCW 41.26.030 (28)(b), credited to the employee under this chapter for service as an enforcement officer with the department of fish and wildlife as though that service was rendered as a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. (f) If a member who elected to transfer pursuant to this section dies or retires for disability prior to June 30, 2012, the member's benefit is calculated as follows: (i) All of the applicable service credit, accumulated contributions, and interest is transferred to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2 and used in the calculation of a benefit. (ii) If a member's obligation under (b) or (c) of this subsection has not been paid in full at the time of death or disability retirement, the member, or in the case of death the surviving spouse or eligible minor children, have the following options: (A) Pay the bill in full; (B) If a continuing monthly benefit is chosen, have the benefit actuarially reduced to reflect the amount of the unpaid obligation under (b) or (c) of this subsection; or (C) Continue to make payment against the obligation under (b) or (c) of this subsection, provided that payment in full is made no later than June 30, 2014. (g) Upon transfer of service credit, contributions, and interest under this subsection, the employee is permanently excluded from membership in the public employees' retirement system for all service related to time served as an enforcement officer with the department of fish and wildlife under the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3.
RCW 41.05.050 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 050
RCW 41.05.050: Contributions for employees and dependents.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Every employer and employer group as defined in RCW 41.05.011 shall provide contributions to insurance and health care plans for its employees and their dependents, the content of such plans to be determined by the authority. (b) Contributions paid by employer groups for their employees, shall include an amount determined by the authority to pay such administrative expenses of the authority as are necessary to administer the plans for employees of those groups. (2) To account for any increased cost of benefit plans developed by the board, the authority may develop a rate surcharge applicable to participating employer groups as defined in RCW 41.05.011 . (3) The contributions of any: (a) Department, division, or separate agency of the state government; (b) county, municipal, or other political subdivisions; (c) any tribal government as are covered by this chapter; and (d) school districts, educational service districts, and charter schools, shall be set by the authority, subject to the approval of the governor for availability of funds as specifically appropriated by the legislature for that purpose. Insurance and health care contributions for ferry employees shall be governed by RCW 47.64.270 . (4)(a) For all groups of educational service district employees enrolling in plans developed by the public employees' benefits board after January 1, 2020, and until January 1, 2024, the authority shall collect from each participating educational service district an amount equal to the composite rate charged to state agencies, plus an amount equal to the employee premiums by plan and by family size as would be charged to employees, only if the authority determines that this method of billing the educational service districts will not result in a material difference between revenues from educational service districts and expenditures made by the authority on behalf of educational service districts and their employees. The authority may collect these amounts in accordance with the educational service district fiscal year, as described in RCW 28A.505.030 . (b)(i) Beginning January 1, 2020, all school districts, represented employees of educational service districts, and charter schools shall commence participation in the school employees' benefits board program established under RCW 41.05.740 . All school districts, represented employees of educational service districts, charter schools, and all school district employee groups participating in the public employees' benefits board plans before January 1, 2020, shall thereafter participate in the school employees' benefits board program administered by the authority. All school districts, represented employees of educational service districts, and charter schools shall provide contributions to the authority for insurance and health care plans for school employees and their dependents. These contributions must be provided to the authority for all eligible school employees eligible for benefits under RCW 41.05.740 (6)(d), including school employees who have waived their coverage; contributions to the authority are not required for individuals eligible for benefits under RCW 41.05.740 (6)(e) who waive their coverage. (ii) Beginning January 1, 2024, all educational service districts shall participate in the school employees' benefits board program. (5) The authority shall transmit a recommendation for the amount of the employer contributions to the governor and the director of financial management for inclusion in the proposed budgets submitted to the legislature.
RCW 41.24.245 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 245
RCW 41.24.245: Payments to spouse or ex spouse pursuant to court order.
Status: in_force

(1) If the state board or the secretary makes payments to a spouse or ex spouse to the extent expressly provided for in any court decree of dissolution or legal separation or in any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to a court decree of dissolution or legal separation, it shall be a sufficient answer to any claim of a beneficiary against the state board, the secretary, or the principal fund for the state board or secretary to show that the payments were made pursuant to a court decree. (2) All payments made to a nonmember spouse or ex spouse pursuant to RCW 41.24.240 shall cease upon the death of such a nonmember spouse or ex spouse. Upon such a death, the state board and the secretary shall pay to the member his or her full monthly entitlement of benefits. (3) The provisions of RCW 41.24.240 and this section shall apply to all court decrees of dissolution or legal separation and court-approved property settlement agreements, regardless of when entered, but shall apply only to those persons who have actually retired or who have requested withdrawal of any or all of their contributions to the principal fund: PROVIDED, That the state board or secretary shall not be responsible for making court-ordered divisions of withdrawals unless the order is filed with the state board at least thirty days before the withdrawal payment date.
RCW 41.80.030 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 80 / Section 030
RCW 41.80.030: Contents of collective bargaining agreements—Execution.
Status: in_force

(1) The parties to a collective bargaining agreement shall reduce the agreement to writing and both shall execute it. (2) Except as provided in RCW 41.58.070 and 41.80.020 , a collective bargaining agreement shall contain provisions that: (a) Provide for a grievance procedure that culminates with final and binding arbitration of all disputes arising over the interpretation or application of the collective bargaining agreement and that is valid and enforceable under its terms when entered into in accordance with this chapter; and (b) Require processing of disciplinary actions or terminations of employment of employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement entirely under the procedures of the collective bargaining agreement. Any employee, when fully reinstated, shall be guaranteed all employee rights and benefits, including back pay, sick leave, vacation accrual, and retirement and federal old age, survivors, and disability insurance act credits, but without back pay for any period of suspension. (3)(a) If a collective bargaining agreement between an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative is concluded after the termination date of the previous collective bargaining agreement between the employer and an employee organization representing the same bargaining units, the effective date of the collective bargaining agreement may be the day after the termination of the previous collective bargaining agreement, and all benefits included in the new collective bargaining agreement, including wage or salary increases, may accrue beginning with that effective date. (b) If a collective bargaining agreement between an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative is concluded after the termination date of the previous collective bargaining agreement between the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative representing different bargaining units, the effective date of the collective bargaining agreement may be the day after the termination date of whichever previous collective bargaining agreement covering one or more of the units terminated first, and all benefits included in the new collective bargaining agreement, including wage or salary increases, may accrue beginning with that effective date.
RCW 41.32.497 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 497
RCW 41.32.497: Retirement allowance for members entering system before April 25, 1973—Election.
Status: in_force

Any person who became a member on or before April 25, 1973 and who qualifies for a retirement allowance shall, at time of retirement, make an irrevocable election to receive either the retirement allowance by RCW 41.32.498 as now or hereafter amended or to receive a retirement allowance pursuant to this section consisting of: (1) An annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his or her accumulated contributions at his or her age of retirement, (2) A basic service pension of one hundred dollars per annum, and (3) A service pension which shall be equal to one one-hundredth of his or her average earnable compensation for his or her two highest compensated consecutive years of service times the total years of creditable service established with the retirement system: PROVIDED, That no beneficiary now receiving benefits or who receives benefits in the future, except those beneficiaries receiving reduced benefits pursuant to RCW 41.32.520 (1)(a) or 41.32.530 , shall receive a pension of less than six dollars and fifty cents per month for each year of creditable service established with the retirement system. Pension benefits payable under the provisions of this section shall be prorated on a monthly basis and paid at the end of each month.
RCW 41.40.823 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 823
RCW 41.40.823: Member with terminal illness—Removal from system.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon application of the member, a member who is diagnosed with a terminal illness shall be removed from membership in the system subject to the following conditions: (a) That the medical adviser, after a medical examination of the member made by or under the direction of the medical adviser, has certified in writing that the member has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of five or fewer years; and (b) That the director concurs in the recommendation of the medical adviser. (2) Members removed from the system shall not make contributions toward a defined contribution account as defined in chapter 41.34 RCW and shall not accumulate additional service credit. (3) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to this benefit not granted prior to that amendment or repeal.
RCW 41.50.180 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 180
RCW 41.50.180: Inactive accounts—Identification, closing, and refund.
Status: in_force

(1) By January 1, 2022, the department will establish by rule an effective means of: (a) Identifying inactive accounts of nonvested members of the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030 whose account balance is less than one thousand dollars; and (b) Providing for the orderly closing and refunding of member account balances in those accounts in accordance with the federal internal revenue code. (2) The refund of a member's account balance will terminate all rights to future benefits, unless otherwise restored under the rules for each of the respective retirement systems.
RCW 41.26.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 020
RCW 41.26.020: Purpose of chapter.
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to provide for an actuarial reserve system for the payment of death, disability, and retirement benefits to law enforcement officers and firefighters, and to beneficiaries of such employees, thereby enabling such employees to provide for themselves and their dependents in case of disability or death, and effecting a system of retirement from active duty.
RCW 41.04.233 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 233
RCW 41.04.233: Payroll deductions for capitation payments to health maintenance organizations.
Status: in_force

Any employee or retired employee of the state or its departments, agencies, or subdivisions and any employee or retired employee of a county, public or municipal corporation, school district, or tax supported institution may authorize the deduction from his or her salary or wages of the amount of his or her capitation payments to any health maintenance organization receiving a certificate of authority under this chapter. Upon the filing of an authorization with the auditor or fiscal officer of the employer, such auditor or fiscal officer shall make payments in favor of the health maintenance organizations referred to in the authorization for the amounts of the deductions authorized, *RCW 41.04.230 (7) notwithstanding.
RCW 41.45.230 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 45 / Section 230
RCW 41.45.230: Pension funding stabilization account—Creation.
Status: in_force

The pension funding stabilization account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for payment of state government employer contributions for members of the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, and the public safety employees' retirement system, and during the 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 fiscal biennia for the judicial retirement system. The account may not be used to pay for any new benefit or for any benefit increase that takes effect after July 1, 2005. An increase that is provided in accordance with a formula that is in existence on July 1, 2005, is not considered a benefit increase for this purpose. Moneys in the account shall be for the exclusive use of the specified retirement systems and may be invested by the state treasurer pursuant to RCW 43.84.080 . For purposes of RCW 43.135.034 , expenditures from the pension funding stabilization account shall not be considered a state program cost shift from the state general fund to another account.
RCW 41.50.080 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 080
RCW 41.50.080: Investment of funds of various systems.
Status: in_force

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

The state investment board shall provide for the investment of all funds of the Washington public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system, the Washington state patrol retirement system, the Washington judicial retirement system, the Washington public safety employees' retirement system, the higher education retirement plan supplemental benefit fund, and the judges' retirement fund, pursuant to RCW 43.84.150 , and may sell or exchange investments acquired in the exercise of that authority.
RCW 41.16.060 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 16 / Section 060
RCW 41.16.060: Tax levy for fund.
Status: in_force

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

(1) It is the duty of the legislative authority of each municipality, each year as a part of its annual tax levy, to levy and place in the fund a tax of twenty-two and one-half cents per thousand dollars of assessed value against all the taxable property of such municipality: PROVIDED, That if a report by a qualified actuary on the condition of the fund establishes that the whole or any part of said dollar rate is not necessary to maintain the actuarial soundness of the fund, the levy of said twenty-two and one-half cents per thousand dollars of assessed value may be omitted, or the whole or any part of such dollar rate may be levied and used for any other municipal purpose. (2) It is the duty of the legislative authority of each municipality, each year as a part of its annual tax levy and in addition to the city levy limit set forth in RCW 84.52.043 , to levy and place in the fund an additional tax of twenty-two and one-half cents per thousand dollars of assessed value against all taxable property of such municipality: PROVIDED, That if a report by a qualified actuary establishes that all or any part of the additional twenty-two and one-half cents per thousand dollars of assessed value levy is unnecessary to meet the estimated demands on the fund under this chapter for the ensuing budget year, the levy of said additional twenty-two and one-half cents per thousand dollars of assessed value may be omitted, or the whole or any part of such dollar rate may be levied and used for any other municipal purpose, subject to subsection (4) of this section: PROVIDED FURTHER, That cities that have annexed to library districts according to RCW 27.12.360 through 27.12.395 and/or fire protection districts according to RCW 52.04.061 through 52.04.081 may not levy this additional tax to the extent that it causes the combined levies to exceed the statutory or constitutional limits. (3) The amount of a levy under this section allocated to the pension fund may be reduced in the same proportion as the regular property tax levy of the municipality is reduced by chapter 84.55 RCW. (4) If a municipality no longer has any beneficiaries receiving benefits under this chapter, the whole or any part of such additional levy under subsection (2) of this section may continue to be levied for the payment of benefits provided under RCW 41.26.150 (1) or other municipal purpose until such time that the municipality no longer has any beneficiaries receiving benefits under RCW 41.26.150 (1), however the proceeds of the additional levy must be annually expended for payment of benefits provided under RCW 41.26.150 (1) prior to being spent for any other purpose.
RCW 41.35.423 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 423
RCW 41.35.423: Member with terminal illness—Removal from system.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon application of the member, a member who is diagnosed with a terminal illness shall be removed from the system subject to the following conditions: (a) That the medical adviser, after a medical examination of the member made by or under the direction of the medical adviser, has certified in writing that the member has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of five or fewer years; and (b) That the director concurs in the recommendation of the medical adviser. (2) Members removed from the system shall not make contributions and shall not accumulate additional service credit. (3) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to this benefit not granted prior to that amendment or repeal.
RCW 41.35.620 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 620
RCW 41.35.620: Computation of retirement allowance.
Status: in_force

(1) A member of the retirement system shall receive a retirement allowance equal to one percent of such member's average final compensation for each service credit year. (2) The retirement allowance payable under RCW 41.35.680 to a member who separates after having completed at least twenty service credit years shall be increased by twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent, compounded for each month from the date of separation to the date that the retirement allowance commences.
RCW 41.06.133 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 133
RCW 41.06.133: Rules of director—Personnel administration.
Status: in_force

(1) The director shall adopt rules, consistent with the purposes and provisions of this chapter and with the best standards of personnel administration, regarding the basis and procedures to be followed for: (a) The reduction, dismissal, suspension, or demotion of an employee; (b) Training and career development; (c) Probationary periods of six to twelve months and rejections of probationary employees, depending on the job requirements of the class, except as follows: (i) Entry-level state park rangers shall serve a probationary period of twelve months; and (ii) The probationary period of campus police officer appointees who are required to attend the Washington state criminal justice training commission basic law enforcement academy shall extend from the date of appointment until twelve months from the date of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy, or twelve months from the date of appointment if academy training is not required. The director shall adopt rules to ensure that employees promoting to campus police officer who are required to attend the Washington state criminal justice training commission basic law enforcement academy shall have the trial service period extend from the date of appointment until twelve months from the date of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy, or twelve months from the date of appointment if academy training is not required; (d) Transfers; (e) Promotional preferences; (f) Sick leaves and vacations; (g) Hours of work; (h) Layoffs when necessary and subsequent reemployment, except for the financial basis for layoffs; (i) The number of names to be certified for vacancies; (j) Subject to RCW 41.04.820 , adoption and revision of a state salary schedule to reflect the prevailing rates in Washington state private industries and other governmental units; (k) Increment increases within the series of steps for each pay grade based on length of service for all employees whose standards of performance are such as to permit them to retain job status in the classified service; (l) Optional lump sum relocation compensation approved by the agency director, whenever it is reasonably necessary that a person make a domiciliary move in accepting a transfer or other employment with the state. An agency must provide lump sum compensation within existing resources. If the person receiving the relocation payment terminates or causes termination with the state, for reasons other than layoff, disability separation, or other good cause as determined by an agency director, within one year of the date of the employment, the state is entitled to reimbursement of the lump sum compensation from the person; (m) Providing for veteran's preference as required by existing statutes, with recognition of preference in regard to layoffs and subsequent reemployment for veterans and their surviving spouses by giving such eligible veterans and their surviving spouses additional credit in computing their seniority by adding to their unbroken state service, as defined by the director, the veteran's service in the military not to exceed five years. For the purposes of this section, "veteran" means any person who has one or more years of active military service in any branch of the armed forces of the United States or who has less than one year's service and is discharged with a disability incurred in the line of duty or is discharged at the convenience of the government and who, upon termination of such service, has received a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005 . However, the surviving spouse of a veteran is entitled to the benefits of this section regardless of the veteran's length of active military service. For the purposes of this section, "veteran" does not include any person who has voluntarily retired with twenty or more years of active military service and whose military retirement pay is in excess of five hundred dollars per month. (2) Rules adopted under this section by the director shall provide for local administration and management by the institutions of higher education and related boards, subject to periodic audit and review by the director. (3) Rules adopted by the director under this section may be superseded by the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under RCW 41.80.001 and 41.80.010 through 41.80.130 . The supersession of such rules shall only affect employees in the respective collective bargaining units.
RCW 41.80.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 80 / Section 040
RCW 41.80.040: Management rights—Not subject to bargaining.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 1069.SL ) ***

The employer shall not bargain over rights of management which, in addition to all powers, duties, and rights established by constitutional provision or statute, shall include but not be limited to the following: (1) The functions and programs of the employer, the use of technology, and the structure of the organization; (2) The employer's budget, which includes for purposes of any negotiations conducted during the 2019-2021 fiscal biennium any specification of the funds or accounts that must be appropriated by the legislature to fulfill the terms of an agreement, and the size of the agency workforce, including determining the financial basis for layoffs; (3) The right to direct and supervise employees; (4) The right to take whatever actions are deemed necessary to carry out the mission of the state and its agencies during emergencies; and (5) Retirement plans and retirement benefits.
RCW 41.44.050 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 050
RCW 41.44.050: Election to participate.
Status: in_force

Any city or town may elect to participate in the retirement system established by this chapter: PROVIDED, That a first-class city may establish or maintain any other retirement system authorized by any other law or its charter. The manner of election to participate in a retirement system under this chapter shall be as follows: (1) The legislative body therein by ordinance making such election; (2) Approval by vote of the people of an ordinance initiated by the voters making such election; (3) Approval by vote of the people of an ordinance making such election referended to the people by the legislative body. Any ordinance providing for participation therein may on petition of the voters be referended to the voters for approval or disapproval. The referendum or initiative herein provided for shall be exercised under the law relating to legislative initiative or referendum of the particular city or town; and if the city or town be one for which the law does not now provide such initiative or referendum, it shall be exercised in the manner provided for legislative initiative and referendum of cities having a commission form of government under chapter 35.17 RCW, the city or town council performing the duties and functions under that law devolving on the commission. A majority vote in the legislative body or by the electorate shall be sufficient to carry or reject. Whenever any city or town has elected to join the retirement system proper authorities in such city [or town] shall immediately file with the board an application for participation under the conditions included in this chapter on a form approved by the board. In such application the city or town shall agree to make the contributions required of participating cities [or towns] in the manner prescribed herein and shall state which employee group or groups are to originally have membership in the system. In the case of a state association of cities and towns, election to participate shall be by majority vote of the board of directors of the association.
RCW 41.54.900 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 54 / Section 900
RCW 41.54.900: Effective dates—1987 c 192.
Status: in_force

(1) Section 5 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect on July 1, 1987. (2) The remainder of this act shall take effect on July 1, 1988.
RCW 41.56.350 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 350
RCW 41.56.350: Collective bargaining agreements—Binding arbitration.
Status: in_force

Subject to RCW 41.58.070 , a collective bargaining agreement may provide for binding arbitration of a labor dispute arising from the application or the interpretation of the matters contained in a collective bargaining agreement.
RCW 41.40.210 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 210
RCW 41.40.210: Duty disability retirement allowance for disability after age sixty.
Status: in_force

Upon retirement for disability, as provided in RCW 41.40.200 , a member who has attained age sixty, regardless of his or her creditable service shall receive a service retirement allowance.
RCW 41.50.060 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 060
RCW 41.50.060: Delegation of powers, duties, and functions—Director's responsibilities.
Status: in_force

The director may delegate the performance of such powers, duties, and functions, other than those relating to rule making, to employees of the department, but the director shall remain and be responsible for the official acts of the employees of the department. The director shall be responsible for the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, the judicial retirement system, the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system, the public safety employees' retirement system, and the Washington state patrol retirement system. The director shall also be responsible for the deferred compensation program.
RCW 41.50.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 020
RCW 41.50.020: Department of retirement systems—Created—Director.
Status: in_force

There is created a department of state government to be known as the department of retirement systems. The executive and administrative head of the department shall be the director, who shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. The director shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and may be removed upon written notification by the governor to the respective retirement boards. The director shall have complete charge of and supervisory powers over the department and shall be paid a salary fixed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.040 . If a vacancy occurs in the position of director while the senate is not in session, the governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the senate at which time he or she shall present to that body the name of the person appointed to the position of director.
RCW 41.40.104 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 104
RCW 41.40.104: Establishing, restoring service credit.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, persons who fail to: (1) Establish allowable membership service not previously credited; (2) Restore all or a part of that previously credited membership service represented by withdrawn contributions; or (3) Restore service credit represented by a lump sum payment in lieu of benefits, before the deadline established by statute, may do so under the conditions set forth in RCW 41.50.165 .
RCW 41.44.240 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 240
RCW 41.44.240: Rights immune from legal process—Exceptions.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6346-S.SL ) ***

The right of a person to a pension, annuity or a retirement allowance, to the return of contribution, the pension, annuity or retirement allowance itself, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and the moneys in the fund created under this chapter shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, or any other process whatsoever whether the same be in actual possession of the person or be deposited or loaned. This section shall not apply to child support collection actions taken under chapter 26.18 , 26.23, or 74.20A RCW against benefits payable under any such plan or arrangement. Benefits under this chapter shall be payable to a spouse or ex-spouse to the extent expressly provided for in any court decree of dissolution or legal separation or in any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to any court decree of dissolution or legal separation.
RCW 41.44.210 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 210
RCW 41.44.210: Benefit on death in line of duty.
Status: in_force

Upon the death of any member who dies from injuries or disease arising out of or incurred in the performance of his or her duty or duties, of which the board of trustees shall be the judge, if death occurs within one year from date of discontinuance of city service caused by such injury, there shall be paid to his or her estate or to such person or persons having an insurable interest in his or her life, as he or she shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the board, the sum of one thousand dollars, purchased by the contributions of the cities participating in the retirement system; and in addition thereto there shall be paid to the surviving spouse during such spouse's lifetime, or if there be no surviving spouse, then to his or her minor child or children until they shall have reached the age of eighteen years, a monthly pension equal to one-half the monthly final compensation of such deceased member. If any such spouse, or child or children shall marry, then such person so marrying shall thereafter receive no further pension herein provided. Cost of the lump sum benefit above provided shall be determined by actuarial calculation and prorated equitably to each city. The benefits provided in this section shall be exclusive of any other benefits due the member under this chapter.
RCW 41.05.700 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 700
RCW 41.05.700: Reimbursement of health care services provided through telemedicine or store and forward technology—Audio-only telemedicine.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) A health plan offered to employees, school employees, and their covered dependents under this chapter issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2017, shall reimburse a provider for a health care service provided to a covered person through telemedicine or store and forward technology if: (i) The plan provides coverage of the health care service when provided in person by the provider; (ii) The health care service is medically necessary; (iii) The health care service is a service recognized as an essential health benefit under section 1302(b) of the federal patient protection and affordable care act in effect on January 1, 2015; (iv) The health care service is determined to be safely and effectively provided through telemedicine or store and forward technology according to generally accepted health care practices and standards, and the technology used to provide the health care service meets the standards required by state and federal laws governing the privacy and security of protected health information; and (v) Beginning January 1, 2023, for audio-only telemedicine, the covered person has an established relationship with the provider. (b)(i) Except as provided in (b)(ii) of this subsection, a health plan offered to employees, school employees, and their covered dependents under this chapter issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2021, shall reimburse a provider for a health care service provided to a covered person through telemedicine the same amount of compensation the carrier would pay the provider if the health care service was provided in person by the provider. (ii) Hospitals, hospital systems, telemedicine companies, and provider groups consisting of eleven or more providers may elect to negotiate an amount of compensation for telemedicine services that differs from the amount of compensation for in-person services. (iii) For purposes of this subsection (1)(b), the number of providers in a provider group refers to all providers within the group, regardless of a provider's location. (2) For purposes of this section, reimbursement of store and forward technology is available only for those covered services specified in the negotiated agreement between the health plan and health care provider. (3) An originating site for a telemedicine health care service subject to subsection (1) of this section includes a: (a) Hospital; (b) Rural health clinic; (c) Federally qualified health center; (d) Physician's or other health care provider's office; (e) Licensed or certified behavioral health agency; (f) Skilled nursing facility; (g) Home or any location determined by the individual receiving the service; or (h) Renal dialysis center, except an independent renal dialysis center. (4) Except for subsection (3)(g) of this section, any originating site under subsection (3) of this section may charge a facility fee for infrastructure and preparation of the patient. Reimbursement for a facility fee must be subject to a negotiated agreement between the originating site and the health plan. A distant site, a hospital that is an originating site for audio-only telemedicine, or any other site not identified in subsection (3) of this section may not charge a facility fee. (5) The plan may not distinguish between originating sites that are rural and urban in providing the coverage required in subsection (1) of this section. (6) The plan may subject coverage of a telemedicine or store and forward technology health service under subsection (1) of this section to all terms and conditions of the plan including, but not limited to, utilization review, prior authorization, deductible, copayment, or coinsurance requirements that are applicable to coverage of a comparable health care service provided in person. (7) This section does not require the plan to reimburse: (a) An originating site for professional fees; (b) A provider for a health care service that is not a covered benefit under the plan; or (c) An originating site or health care provider when the site or provider is not a contracted provider under the plan. (8)(a) If a provider intends to bill a patient or the patient's health plan for an audio-only telemedicine service, the provider must obtain patient consent for the billing in advance of the service being delivered. (b) If the health care authority has cause to believe that a provider has engaged in a pattern of unresolved violations of this subsection (8), the health care authority may submit information to the appropriate disciplining authority, as defined in RCW 18.130.020 , for action. Prior to submitting information to the appropriate disciplining authority, the health care authority may provide the provider with an opportunity to cure the alleged violations or explain why the actions in question did not violate this subsection (8). (c) If the provider has engaged in a pattern of unresolved violations of this subsection (8), the appropriate disciplining authority may levy a fine or cost recovery upon the provider in an amount not to exceed the applicable statutory amount per violation and take other action as permitted under the authority of the disciplining authority. Upon completion of its review of any potential violation submitted by the health care authority or initiated directly by an enrollee, the disciplining authority shall notify the health care authority of the results of the review, including whether the violation was substantiated and any enforcement action taken as a result of a finding of a substantiated violation. (9) For purposes of this section: (a)(i) "Audio-only telemedicine" means the delivery of health care services through the use of audio-only technology, permitting real-time communication between the patient at the originating site and the provider, for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. (ii) For purposes of this section only, "audio-only telemedicine" does not include: (A) The use of facsimile or email; or (B) The delivery of health care services that are customarily delivered by audio-only technology and customarily not billed as separate services by the provider, such as the sharing of laboratory results; (b) "Disciplining authority" has the same meaning as in RCW 18.130.020 ; (c) "Distant site" means the site at which a physician or other licensed provider, delivering a professional service, is physically located at the time the service is provided through telemedicine; (d) "Established relationship" means the provider providing audio-only telemedicine has access to sufficient health records to ensure safe, effective, and appropriate care services and: (i) The covered person has had, within the past three years, at least one in-person appointment, or at least one real-time interactive appointment using both audio and video technology, with the provider providing audio-only telemedicine or with a provider employed at the same medical group, at the same clinic, or by the same integrated delivery system operated by a carrier licensed under chapter 48.44 or 48.46 RCW as the provider providing audio-only telemedicine; or (ii) The covered person was referred to the provider providing audio-only telemedicine by another provider who has had, within the past three years, at least one in-person appointment, or at least one real-time interactive appointment using both audio and video technology, with the covered person and has provided relevant medical information to the provider providing audio-only telemedicine; (e) "Health care service" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.43.005 ; (f) "Hospital" means a facility licensed under chapter 70.41 , 71.12, or 72.23 RCW; (g) "Originating site" means the physical location of a patient receiving health care services through telemedicine; (h) "Provider" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.43.005 ; (i) "Store and forward technology" means use of an asynchronous transmission of a covered person's medical information from an originating site to the health care provider at a distant site which results in medical diagnosis and management of the covered person, and does not include the use of audio-only telephone, facsimile, or email; and (j) "Telemedicine" means the delivery of health care services through the use of interactive audio and video technology, permitting real-time communication between the patient at the originating site and the provider, for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. For purposes of this section only, "telemedicine" includes audio-only telemedicine, but does not include facsimile or email.
RCW 41.72.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 72 / Section 020
RCW 41.72.020: Law enforcement medal of honor committee established—Membership—Establishment of qualifications for award.
Status: in_force

There is created the state law enforcement medal of honor committee for nominating candidates for the award of the state law enforcement medal of honor. The committee membership consists of a representative from the governor's office, the Washington state law enforcement association, the Washington state council of police officers, the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, and the Washington state troopers association. The attorney general shall serve as chair of the committee and shall designate a secretary for the committee. The committee shall meet not less than semiannually to consider candidates for nomination. The committee shall adopt rules establishing the qualifications for the state law enforcement medal of honor, the protocol governing the decoration, and the appurtenances necessary to the implementation of this chapter.
RCW 41.18.190 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 190
RCW 41.18.190: Transfer of membership authorized.
Status: in_force

Any firefighter as defined in RCW 41.18.010 who has prior to July 1, 1969 been employed as a member of a fire department and who desires to make contributions and avail himself or herself of the pension and other benefits of chapter 41.18 RCW as now law or hereafter amended, may transfer his or her membership from any other pension fund, except the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system, to the pension fund provided in chapter 41.18 RCW: PROVIDED, That such firefighter transmits written notice of his or her intent to transfer to the pension board of his or her municipality prior to September 1, 1969.
RCW 41.37.310 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 37 / Section 310
RCW 41.37.310: Certain department of social and health services employees—Transfer from public employees' retirement system—Election period.
Status: in_force

(1) An employee of an employer as defined in RCW 41.37.010 who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 before June 1, 2025, and on June 1, 2025, meets the eligibility requirements as set forth in RCW 41.37.010 (19)(d)(iv) has the following options during the election period defined in subsection (2) of this section: (a) To remain in the public employees' retirement system in the employee's current plan; or (b) To become a member of the public safety employees' retirement system plan 2 and be a dual member as provided in chapter 41.54 RCW. Any service credit the employee accrued in the public employees' retirement system service credit may not be transferred to the public safety employees' retirement system. (2) The "election period" is the period between June 1, 2025, and September 1, 2025. (3) During the election period, employees who are employed by an employer as defined in RCW 41.37.010 remain members of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 until they affirmatively elect to join the public safety employees' retirement system. Members who elect to join the public safety employees' retirement system as described in this section will have their membership begin prospectively from the date of their election. (4) If, after September 1, 2025, the member has not made an election to join the public safety employees' retirement system, the member will remain in the member's current plan in the public employees' retirement system. (5) An employee who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on or before June 1, 2019, and on or after June 1, 2025, is employed by an employer as defined in RCW 41.37.010 as an employee who meets the eligibility requirements included in RCW 41.37.010 (19)(d)(iv), shall remain a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 1. (6) All new employees hired on or after June 1, 2025, who become employed by an employer as defined in RCW 41.37.010 as an employee who meets the eligibility requirements included in RCW 41.37.010 (19)(d)(iv), will become members of the public safety employees' retirement system.