(1) Employers with fewer than 50 employees may apply to the department for grants under this section, subject to the requirements of this section.

(2)(a) An employer may receive a grant of $3,000 if the employer hires a temporary worker to replace an employee on family or medical leave for a period of seven days or more, or if the employer incurs significant additional wage-related costs due to the employee's leave. To be eligible for a grant, the employer must provide the department a written statement attesting that the employer hired a temporary worker or incurred other significant wage-related costs due to an employee's use of family or medical leave.

(b) An employer may receive a grant under this subsection no more than 10 times per calendar year and no more than once for each employee on leave.

(3) The department must assess any employer who receives a grant under this section for all premiums for three years from the date of receipt of a grant.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the number of employees must be calculated as provided in RCW 50A.10.030.

(5) An employer who has an approved voluntary plan is not eligible to receive a grant under this section.

Effective date—2025 c 304: See note following RCW 50A.05.020.