Expanding access to grants within the paid family and medical leave insurance program for small school districts.

SB 5378 expands financial assistance for small school districts and small businesses under Washington’s paid family and medical leave program. It allows eligible employers (including second-class school districts and businesses with 50-150 employees) to receive up to $3,000 for hiring temporary workers during employee leave or up to $1,000 to cover extra wage costs from leave. Grants are limited to 10 per year per employer, require documentation linking costs to leave, and apply only to employees using the program. Small businesses (under 50 employees) receiving grants face three years of full premium assessments under the program.