Labor & Employment (Public Employees)

HB 2249 expands an existing exemption in Washington's civil service rules to include employees of Washington Technology Solutions (WTS) who handle network security, systems integration, and IT management. This specifically affects WTS staff performing IT security, data center management, and network systems engineering duties. The bill amends RCW 41.06.070 to add these positions to a list of state employees already exempt from standard civil service regulations. As a result, these IT workers will not be subject to the same hiring, promotion, and personnel rules that apply to most other state employees.

This bill limits supplemental paid leave benefits for Washington state and local government employees while they are on approved paid family or medical leave. It prevents total compensation (the primary benefit plus supplemental leave) from exceeding the employee's regular salary or average hourly rate. Supplemental leave used under this rule cannot be counted toward weekly claims submitted to the employment security department. The law takes effect July 1, 2027.