# RCW 50A.05.005: RCW 50A.05.005: Intent

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S005

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 50A.05.005
- **Heading:** RCW 50A.05.005: Intent
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 50A / Chapter 05 / Section 005

## Text

The legislature finds that the demands of the workplace and of families need to be balanced to promote family stability and economic security. The legislature also finds that families across the state own and operate businesses. Workplace leave policies are desirable to accommodate changes in the workforce such as rising numbers of dual-career couples, working single parents, and an aging population. In addition the impact of significant new requirements should be reasonably balanced to help small businesses thrive. The legislature also finds that access to paid leave is associated with many important health benefits. Research confirms that paid leave results in decreased infant mortality and more well-baby visits and reductions in maternal postpartum depression and stress. The legislature further finds that paid leave increases the duration of breastfeeding, which supports bonding, stimulates positive neurological and psychological development, strengthens a child's immune system, and reduces the risks of serious or costly health problems such as asthma, acute ear infections, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, leukemia, and sudden infant death syndrome. The legislature also finds that when fathers have access to paid leave they are more directly engaged during the child's first few months, thereby increasing father infant bonding and reducing overall stress on the family. The legislature declares it to be in the public interest to create a family and medical leave insurance program to provide reasonable paid family leave for the birth or placement of a child with the employee, for the care of a family member who has a serious health condition, and for a qualifying exigency under the federal family and medical leave act, and reasonable paid medical leave for an employee's own serious health condition and to reasonably assist businesses in implementing and maintaining a program to support their employees and family.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 50A.05.005 RCW 50A.05.005: Intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S005.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.010 RCW 50A.05.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S010.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.020 RCW 50A.05.020: Program administration—Information disclosure—Outreach.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S020.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.025 RCW 50A.05.025: Program administration—Powers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S025.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.030 RCW 50A.05.030: Advisory committee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S030.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.040 RCW 50A.05.040: Ombuds.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S040.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.050 RCW 50A.05.050: Reports to legislature.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S050.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.060 RCW 50A.05.060: Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S060.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.070 RCW 50A.05.070: Family and medical leave insurance account.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S070.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.080 RCW 50A.05.080: Family and medical leave enforcement account.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S080.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.100 RCW 50A.05.100: Discrimination laws not affected.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S100.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.110 RCW 50A.05.110: No continuing entitlement or contractual right.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S110.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.120 RCW 50A.05.120: Conflict with federal requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S120.md)
- [RCW 50A.05.125 RCW 50A.05.125: Continuity with prior law.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S125.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T50A_C05_S005. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.