Washington enacts domestic violence leave for victims and family

The Washington State Legislature passed a new law, effective April 1, 2008, which allows victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking to take reasonable or intermittent leave from work, paid or unpaid, to take care of legal or law enforcement needs or get medical treatment, social services assistance, or mental health counseling.  Family members of a victim may also take reasonable leave to help the victim obtain treatment or seek help.  An employee may choose to use sick leave and other paid-time off, compensatory time, or unpaid leave time.  The leave under this law is in addition to other rights to take leave available to employees under other regulations.