House Bill 1213 and Senate Bill 5339- Expanded protections for Workers in the state paid PFML program

My name is Matt Murphy, and I serve as the Government and Regional Affairs Director of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce. We represent nearly 1,000 businesses and strongly oppose HB 1213.

House Bill 1213 proposes significant expansions to Washington State's Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, including reducing the minimum claim period from eight to four consecutive hours and extending employment protection to all employees who have been with their employer for at least 90 days, regardless of the employer's size.

​While these changes aim to enhance worker protection, they can also impose substantial financial and operational challenges on small businesses. Mandating job protection and continued health insurance coverage during PFML leave, even for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, may lead to increased costs and administrative burden. Small businesses often operate with limited staff and resources, and accommodating extended absences could necessitate hiring temporary replacements or redistributing workloads, both of which can be costly and disruptive. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has expressed concerns that such requirements could disproportionately impact small employers, potentially hindering their ability to sustain operations and retain employees.

It is crucial to consider the delicate balance between enhancing employee benefits and maintaining the viability of small businesses integral to Washington's economy.

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