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Washington enacts military family leave act

Governor Chris Gregoire signed S.B. 6447 on March 19, 2008 that allows more unpaid leave for military families before or during deployment. "I am pleased to sign this and to thank those who are sacrificing so much for our country. Effective June 12, 2008, the bill will give military families an opportunity to connect before and after deployments," Gregoire said. "By doing so, these families already facing uncertainty are better able to stay intact and healthy."

The legislation provides that during periods of military conflict, public and private employees are entitled to up to 15 days of unpaid leave before their spouse is deployed or while their spouse is on leave from deployment. H.B. 6447 also increases from 15 to 21 the number of days each year a state or local officer or employee who is a member of the Washington National Guard or Reserves is entitled to a military leave of absence from employment. This measure will align Washington with California, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska and New York, which have enacted similar legislation.

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