# WAC 296-135-020: WAC 296-135-020. Reasons for taking leave

> Washington · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_020

## Section

- **Citation:** WAC 296-135-020
- **Heading:** WAC 296-135-020. Reasons for taking leave
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 296 / Chapter 296-135 / Section 296-135-020

## Text

An employee may take leave under these rules to:
(1) Seek legal or law enforcement assistance or remedies to ensure the employee's or family member(s)' health and safety including, but not limited to, preparing for, or participating in, any civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or derived from domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crimes. "Related to or derived from" means any civil or criminal legal proceeding that is triggered, in whole or in part, by an act of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crimes against any employee or family member covered by these rules. Whether a legal proceeding is "related to or derived from" domestic violence, sexual assault, or hate crimes depends on the facts and must be reviewed on an individual basis.
(2) Seek treatment by a health care provider for physical or mental injuries caused by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crimes.
(3) Attend to health care treatment for a victim who is the employee's family member.
(4) Obtain, or assist the employee's family member(s) in obtaining, services from:
(a) A domestic violence shelter; or
(b) A rape crisis center; or
(c) A social services program for relief from domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crimes.
(5) Obtain, or assist a family member in obtaining, mental health counseling related to an incident of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crimes in which the employee or the employee's family member was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crimes.
(6) Participate, for the employee's own self or for the employee's family member(s), in:
(a) Safety planning; or
(b) Temporary or permanent relocation; or
(c) Other actions to increase the safety from future incidents of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crimes.

## Nearby sections

- [WAC 296-135-001 WAC 296-135-001. Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_001.md)
- [WAC 296-135-010 WAC 296-135-010. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_010.md)
- [WAC 296-135-020 WAC 296-135-020. Reasons for taking leave](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_020.md)
- [WAC 296-135-030 WAC 296-135-030. Types of activities for which leave is allowed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_030.md)
- [WAC 296-135-040 WAC 296-135-040. Choice and manner of leave allowed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_040.md)
- [WAC 296-135-050 WAC 296-135-050. Duration of leave allowed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_050.md)
- [WAC 296-135-060 WAC 296-135-060. Advance notice and timing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_060.md)
- [WAC 296-135-070 WAC 296-135-070. Verification](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_070.md)
- [WAC 296-135-080 WAC 296-135-080. Employee's duty to provide information to the employer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_080.md)
- [WAC 296-135-090 WAC 296-135-090. Employer's duty to keep information confidential](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_090.md)
- [WAC 296-135-100 WAC 296-135-100. Maintaining pay and benefits accrued before taking leave](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_100.md)
- [WAC 296-135-110 WAC 296-135-110. Employer's duty after employee returns from leave](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_110.md)
- [WAC 296-135-120 WAC 296-135-120. Health insurance during leave](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_120.md)
- [WAC 296-135-130 WAC 296-135-130. Rights are in addition to other rights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_130.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_296_135_020. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.