SB 6141
In CommitteeSenate
Paid leave annual adjustment
Temporarily limiting the annual adjustment to the maximum weekly benefit amount for paid family and medical leave.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill pauses the annual increase to the maximum weekly benefit for Washington’s paid family and medical leave program in 2027, keeping the maximum at $1,000 instead of raising it to match rising wages. It does not change benefit amounts for 2026 or beyond 2027.
- Temporarily blocks the annual cost-of-living adjustment to the maximum weekly benefit for calendar year 2027.
- The maximum weekly benefit stays at $1,000 for all paid family and medical leave taken between January 1 and December 31, 2027.
- The adjustment that normally happens each September 30 (to set the next year’s maximum) is skipped for the 2026 adjustment that would affect 2027 benefits.
- The 2027 maximum is locked at the 2026-determined amount ($1,000), even though wages (and thus the usual adjustment) would likely push it higher.
Who is affected
- Workers in Washington State who use paid family or medical leave — Employees who take paid family or medical leave may receive slightly lower benefits in 2027 than they otherwise would have, because the annual cost-of-living adjustment is paused for that year.
- Low- and middle-income workers on leave — Will continue to collect benefits at the 2026 maximum ($1,000) through all of 2027, without an increase tied to rising wages.
- Workers planning to take leave in 2027 — Must plan budgets for leave in 2027 knowing the maximum benefit will not increase, potentially affecting how much leave they can afford to take.
- Employers and the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) — Will not need to adjust benefit calculations for 2027, simplifying administration for this one year.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for concerns
Potential Benefits (2)
The state’s Paid Leave Insurance Trust Fund will save money in 2027 by avoiding an automatic benefit increase, improving short-term fund solvency and reducing pressure on future premium increases — though this comes at the cost of reduced worker benefits.
Local GovernmentRef: RCW 50A.15.020(6)(a)(ii)Employers and the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) will have simplified administration for 2027, as no recalibration of benefit calculations is required — reducing paperwork and potential errors during benefit processing.
Business & EmploymentRef: RCW 50A.15.020(6)(a)(ii)
Potential Concerns (5)
Workers who take paid family or medical leave in 2027 will receive a maximum weekly benefit of $1,000, which will be significantly below what they would have received under the automatic cost-of-living adjustment tied to rising wages — likely $1,100–$1,200 depending on wage growth — reducing their net income during a period of critical financial need.
FinancialPeopleRef: RCW 50A.15.020(6)(a)(ii)By capping benefits at $1,000 while wages rise, low- and middle-income workers may be disincentivized from taking needed leave — including for serious health conditions or newborn care — potentially worsening health outcomes, delaying medical care, and increasing risk of workplace injury or burnout due to overwork.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: RCW 50A.15.020(6)(a)(ii)Workers on leave with children or caregiving responsibilities may face increased housing instability if they cannot afford rent or utilities on the same $1,000 weekly benefit while facing reduced or paused income — especially in high-cost areas like Seattle or Spokane.
HousingPeopleRef: RCW 50A.15.020(6)(a)(ii)Workers with serious health conditions or pregnancy complications may delay or forgo leave altogether due to reduced benefit value, worsening health outcomes and potentially increasing long-term public healthcare costs.
HealthcarePeopleRef: RCW 50A.15.020(6)(a)(ii)While employers avoid administrative adjustments for 2027, the bill may increase turnover and absenteeism if workers feel unsupported during medical or caregiving events — especially in low-wage sectors where leave affordability is already a barrier.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: RCW 50A.15.020(6)(a)(ii)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income workers who take leave in 2027 will receive less income than they would have under automatic wage indexing — especially harmful if they are already living paycheck to paycheck. This may discourage leave-taking, worsening health and economic outcomes.
The state’s Paid Leave Insurance Trust Fund benefits from lower payouts in 2027, improving short-term fiscal stability. However, this may erode public confidence in the program and delay necessary long-term funding reforms.
Employers gain administrative simplicity in 2027, but may face downstream costs if workers delay leave and return to work impaired or if turnover rises due to perceived lack of support.
Workers with serious health conditions, new parents, or caregivers may be forced to choose between financial hardship and inadequate leave — potentially worsening health disparities and maternal/infant outcomes.
The state’s workforce may become less resilient over time if workers avoid taking leave due to insufficient income replacement — potentially reducing long-term labor force participation and productivity.