OLYMPIA — Changes to Washington law will give more options to Washington employers looking to keep on workers who are recovering from temporary disabilities. Other changes will expand eligibility to use sick leave to take care of family members and increase the amount families can receive through a once-yearly financial emergency program.  

Jeff Mayor, communications consultant for the Washington Department of Labor & Industry, said the change to the sick leave law doesn’t change the number of people receiving paid sick leave.  

“The key change expands the definition of ‘family member’ so that it includes more people,” Mayor said via email. “The paid sick leave changes apply to all workers covered by the Minimum Wage Act.” 

The definition of a family member was expanded to include “any individual who regularly resides in the employee’s home or where the relationship creates an expectation that the employee care for that person, and that individual depends on the employee for care,” according to SB 5793, which went into effect in January.  

The law also was changed to include people working for a “transportation network company” to earn paid sick time.  

“The paid sick time changes apply only to people who drive for rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber,” Mayor said. “The law giving drivers certain worker rights and protections does not cover people who drive for companies such as DoorDash.” 

Changes to the “Stay at Work” program will increase the amount employers can be reimbursed when they keep employees returning to work with temporary disabilities.  

The program allows employers to be reimbursed for up to 50% of the wages of an employee who is working a different job due to a workplace injury, according to the L&I website. The changes increased eligibility to a maximum of 120 days worked, up from 66 days worked. The maximum reimbursement allowed was increased to $25,000.  

The revised law also raised the reimbursement for tools and equipment needed for the temporary job, along with training and clothing for that job. 

The authors of SHB 2127 said one of the primary purposes of the law is to make it possible for injured workers to get back to work. To help with that, funding was added to help returning workers with permanent disabilities develop some basic skills. 

The skills covered include high school equivalency or GED classes, computer literacy, English language classes, tutoring and other training workers might need. 

Legislators increased the amount of money available for families through the “Diversion Cash Assistance Program,” which is designed for families that qualify for “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,” based on income and resources. The goal, according to HB 2415, is to reduce the chances a family would become dependent on TANF. It’s a one-time payment that a family can receive once in any 12-month period. 

The law increased the one-time payment to $2,000, up from $1,500. The money can be used to pay for expenses like food and housing, child care, transportation and medical costs. 

NEW LAWS

The bills below went into effect as law Jan. 1 and change some programs meant to help Washingtonians stay in the workforce or recover after injuries.

HB 5793 

Expands definition of “family members” that workers can care for and use sick leave benefits. Also extends sick leave benefits to “transportation network company” employees. 

SHB 2127 

Increases reimbursement to companies that employ injured workers in different jobs while they’re recovering. 

HB 2415 

Increases once-yearly payment available under the “Diversion Cash Assistance” program.