Last week Governor Inslee released a statement clarifying his authority to make changes to the long-term care premiums that were set to begin collections on January 1st. Governor Inslee stated.

“Only the Legislature has the authority to eliminate the requirement that employers pay a premium based on withholding from an employee’s wages at this time. The Legislature has committed to changing the law in January 2022, including delaying the premium collection timelines.

“As I stated clearly earlier this week, I do have the ability to order the state Employment Security Department to refrain from collecting from those premiums from employers at this time, and I have done that.

“As an employer, the state of Washington is following the law and will have to begin collecting money from state employee paychecks as of January 1st. We know that many other private employers are doing the same, and others are hoping that the Legislature will change the law. However, if the Legislature fails to do so, employers will still be legally obligated to pay the full amount owed to state ESD to begin the long-term care program.

You can find the full press release here.

Two bills have already been pre-filed that address changes to the program. One of the bills would delay the collection of the premiums and implementation by 18 months. You can find both of those bills below. We will be tracking them closely during the upcoming legislative session.

HB 1732– https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1732.pdf?q=20220103151316 

HB 1733– https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1733.pdf?q=20220103151443 

Questions?

Contact:

Alyssa Odegaard – Vice President, Public Policy 
cell: 206-948-2279