Governor Ferguson has signed SHB 1875, revising the Washington Paid Sick Leave law (WPSL) to allow employees to use paid sick leave for absences related to immigration proceedings. The revised law takes effect on July 27, 2025.
The new law allows employees to use paid sick leave to prepare for or participate in any judicial or administrative immigration proceeding involving the employee or employee’s family member. Employers must accept the following documents as verification of such absences:
- Documentation from an advocate for immigrants or refugees, an attorney, a member of the clergy, or another professional stating the employee or the employee’s family member is involved in an immigration proceeding; or
- A written statement from the employee that the leave was taken to prepare for or participate in an immigration proceeding involving the employee or employee’s family member.
The documentation or written statement should not disclose any personally identifiable information about an individual’s immigration status or underlying immigration protection.
Tips: Revise your paid leave policies to add this new reason for the use of paid sick leave, and advise your managers of this change before July 27, 2025. We will be updating our model Washington Paid Sick Leave Policy and Paid Time Off Plans soon to reflect the revised law. Contact your Vigilant Law Group employment attorney if you have any questions or need assistance.
