In 2025, the Legislature passed SB 5525, which exempted employees on Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) from mass layoff notices, with a few exceptions. The newly created exemption would not apply to the following select mass layoff circumstances where notification is not required:

• Reasonably unforeseeable business circumstances;
• Natural disaster occurrences; and
• Completion of time-bound construction projects.

In response to the passage of SB 5525, the Employment Security Department (ESD) adopted an amended rule to include reference to the now-enacted law under chapter 49.45 RCW.

To learn more, visit ESD’s PFML rulemaking page.