Employment & Worker Protection · Washington
Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave
ESHB 1116 / SB 5975 - enacted in Washington.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2017
- Enacted
- 51
- States with employment & worker protection laws
- 62/100
- Washington strictness
The bottom line
Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave is an enacted law in Washington, part of a mature, broadly-adopted employment & worker protection landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2020-01-01
- 51
- states have employment & worker protection laws
- 107/107
- employment & worker protection laws enacted nationally
- 62/100
- Washington strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Washington legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave
Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave (ESHB 1116 / SB 5975) is an enacted law in Washington under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2017-07-05 and becomes effective on 2020-01-01. Washington currently reports 7 tracked regulations with 7 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 62/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 107 employment & worker protection statutes have been enacted and 0 additional bills remain pending - 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Washington within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in ESHB 1116 / SB 5975 itself.
Applicability under Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave: PFML: 820+ qualifying hours. Sick: all WA employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: ESD enforcement for PFML. L&I for sick leave. Retaliation penalties. Notable exemptions: Federal employees. Self-employed opt-in for PFML..
Summary
Washington PFML: 12 weeks paid family leave, up to 18 total with medical. Sick: 1 hr per 40 hrs worked, all employers.
Key Requirements
PFML: 12 weeks family, 12 weeks medical, 18 max combined. 90% wages (up to state cap). Sick: 1 hr/40 hrs, no cap accrual limit.
Penalties
ESD enforcement for PFML. L&I for sick leave. Retaliation penalties.
Applicability
PFML: 820+ qualifying hours. Sick: all WA employers.
Exemptions
Federal employees. Self-employed opt-in for PFML.
Official Source
https://paidleave.wa.gov/How Washington compares on employment & worker protection
51 states regulate employment & worker protection - Washington ranks #9 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 62 |
| 5 | Illinois | 62 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 7 | New York | 62 |
| 8 | Oregon | 62 |
| 9 | Washington (this state) | 62 |
| 10 | Delaware | 59 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Washington is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave enacted?
Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave was enacted on 2017-07-05 and became effective on 2020-01-01. It was introduced as ESHB 1116 / SB 5975.
What are the penalties for violating Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave?
ESD enforcement for PFML. L&I for sick leave. Retaliation penalties. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave apply to small businesses?
PFML: 820+ qualifying hours. Sick: all WA employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Washington compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Washington has a regulatory strictness score of 62/100, based on 7 enacted regulations out of 7 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave?
The official text of Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave (ESHB 1116 / SB 5975) is available from the Washington legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More Washington Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for employment & worker protection compliance.
- Washington PFML + Paid Sick Leave is enacted in Washington, effective 2020-01-01. Official source
- 51 states now regulate employment & worker protection; Washington ranks #9 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Washington tracks across all five policy areas. Washington profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Washington source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.