Effective June 12, 2008, military families in Washington will have new leave rights under legislation passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Gregoire. During periods of military conflict, employees can take up to up to 15 days of unpaid leave before their spouse is deployed or while their spouse is on leave from deployment. Senate Bill 6447 also raises the the number of days each year a state or local officer or employee who is a member of the Washington National Guard or Reserves is entitled to a military leave of absence from employment. More information about the legislation can be found here and here.