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… care (LTC) benefits. An employee payroll tax will provide funding for the WA Cares Fund. Washington employees may opt out of the payroll tax if they meet certain criteria by the exemption deadlines. However, exemption from the WA Cares payroll tax disqualifies a worker from ever receiving future WA Cares benefits. The newly created WA Cares Fund provides eligible Washington workers with state payroll tax-funded LTC insurance benefits beginning January 1, 2025. Employee premiums completely fund the WA Cares benefits. Employers are not required to contribute to any portion of the WA Cares premium – a 0.58% ($0.58 …

… of employees. Covered employees receive: One week of unpaid leave, if the employer has 20-49 employees; and Two weeks of unpaid leave if the employer has 50 or greater employees. Employees may take this unpaid leave intermittently or on a reduced work schedule. VESSA also entitles covered employees to benefits and employment protection. Employees cannot lose any accrued benefits while on leave, and their employer must maintain their healthcare coverage. Additionally, employers must return employees to their same or an equivalent position upon their return from leave. Finally, VESSA requires employers to make reasonable safety accommodations for employees who …

… Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The DOL and New York Attorney General (NYAG) settled with United Behavioral Health and United Healthcare Insurance Co. (United) following litigation and investigation into MHPAEA violations. According to the settlement, United must pay affected participants and beneficiaries, pay penalties and take corrective actions. The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) investigates alleged violations of the MHPAEA, including those alleged in Walsh v. United Behavioral Health and UnitedHealthcare Insurance. The MHPAEA requires group health plans (GHPs), whether fully insured or self-funded, to provide the same level of benefits to participants for mental health and substance …