Washington § 50A.05.020 - Program administration — Information disclosure — Outreach.

(1) The department shall establish and administer the family and medical leave program and pay family and medical leave benefits as specified in this title. The department shall adopt government efficiencies to improve administration and reduce costs. These efficiencies shall include, to the extent feasible, combined reporting and payment, with a single return, of premiums under this title and contributions under chapter 50.24 RCW.

(2) The department shall establish procedures and forms for filing applications for benefits under this title. The department shall notify the employer within five business days of an application being filed.

(3) The department shall use information sharing and integration technology to facilitate the disclosure of relevant information or records by the department, so long as an employee consents to the disclosure as required under RCW 50A.15.040.

(4) Information contained in the files and records pertaining to an employee under this chapter are confidential and not open to public inspection, other than to public employees in the performance of their official duties, except as provided in chapter 50A.25 RCW.

(5) The department shall develop and implement an outreach program to ensure that employees who may be qualified to receive family and medical leave benefits under this title are made aware of these benefits. Outreach information shall explain, in an easy to understand format, eligibility requirements, the application process, weekly benefit amounts, maximum benefits payable, notice and certification requirements, reinstatement and nondiscrimination rights, confidentiality, voluntary plans, and the relationship between employment protection, leave from employment, and wage replacement benefits under this title and other laws, collective bargaining agreements, and employer policies. Outreach information shall be available in English and other primary languages as defined in RCW 74.04.025.

(6)(a) The department shall conduct regular outreach to employers regarding employer responsibilities under this title, which must include but is not limited to providing information on premium collection under chapter 50A.10 RCW, notice requirements under chapter 50A.20 RCW, employment protection under chapter 50A.35 RCW, and the availability of grants to certain employers under RCW 50A.24.010 and 50A.24.030.

(b) The department is authorized to inspect and audit employer files and records relating to the family and medical leave program, including employer voluntary plans. The department may conduct periodic audits of employer files and records for the purposes of assisting with and otherwise enforcing compliance with this title.

Effective date—2025 c 304: "This act takes effect January 1, 2026." [ 2025 c 304 s 13.]