Legal Notices

Law / Purpose	Target Audience	Notice Requirement
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) / up to 12 workweeks of paid, job-protected (based on qualifications) leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medial reasons OR up to 16 weeks if you face multiple events in a year OR up to 18 weeks if you experience a serious health condition during pregnancy that results in incapacity.	Employees qualify for paid leave with a minimum of 820 hours from a Washington State Employer during the qualifying period, which is about the last year. Employees qualify for leave protection with a total of 12 months of work at Whatcom County and have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 consecutive months before leave begins.	PFML Notice Refer to the PFML online resource to apply and for more information.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) / up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health benefits OR up to 26 workweeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness	Employees who have worked for Whatcom County a total of 12 months (need not be consecutive) and who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 consecutive months before leave begins.	FMLA Notice Refer to FMLA online resource for more information
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) / the right to temporary continuation of health benefits when coverage is lost due to certain events	Benefit Eligible Employees with Status Changes	Refer to COBRA online resource
Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) / protects the security and confidentiality of health care information and provides the ability to transfer and continue health insurance coverage	Benefit Eligible Employees	Notice of Privacy Practices
Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) / protects job rights for employees who take leave from work to perform military service	Military Employees	USERRA Notice
Medicare Part D / helps cover the cost of prescription drugs	Benefit Eligible Employees and their Spouses 65 years and older	2021 WCIF Med D Creditable Coverage Notice WSNA and IBU employees: Creditable Coverage for plan year 2022
Affordable Care Act (ACA) / provides affordable health care for all Americans	County medical benefits and eligibility meet ACA requirements	Exchange Notice
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) / premium assistance for those on Medicaid	Unlikely to apply to County employees	CHIP