Washington workers can apply for paid family leave starting Thursday

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Starting Thursday, employees in Washington state can start applying for time off under the state’s paid family leave law.

Eligible workers receive 12 weeks paid time off for the birth or adoption of a child or for serious medical condition of the worker or the worker’s family member.

An additional two weeks may be used if there is a serious health condition with a pregnancy.

For the past year, employees and employers have paid into the program that was approved by the Legislature in 2017.

Premiums of 0.4% of workers’ wages fund the program, with 63% paid by employees and 37% paid by employers.