Washington became the first state in the U.S. to grant ride-hail drivers’ family and medical leave as the Senate unanimously passed the HB 1570 bill.
The bill builds on driver rights won in 2022’s Expand Fairness Act, which set a high statewide wage floor for drivers and established a right to protections against unjustified dismissal, worker’s compensation insurance, and paid sick time.
Now the ride-hail drivers will gain access to the same program as other workers in the state, which offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave due to severe health conditions or if they need to take time off to care for a family member or a new child.
The bill will head to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk to be signed into law. Access to the program is expected to come online for drivers in July 2024.
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