(1) An employer determined to have one hundred fifty or fewer employees in the state that is assessed the employer share of the premiums is eligible to apply for small business assistance grants.

(2) An employer determined to have fewer than fifty employees is only eligible for a small business assistance grant if the employer opts to pay the employer share of the premiums.

(a) The employer will be assessed the employer share of the premiums for a minimum of twelve consecutive calendar quarters beginning with the first calendar quarter after the most recent grant is approved.

(b) The employer may provide notice at any time after the approval of the grant to opt out of paying the employer share of the premiums.

(i) If the twelfth consecutive quarter following approval of the grant has ended, the opt-out will become effective on the first day of the following quarter.

(ii) If the twelfth consecutive quarter following approval of the grant has not ended, the opt-out will become effective on the first day of the thirteenth quarter following approval of the grant.

(3) An employer is not eligible for a small business assistance grant if, at the time of application, the employer has outstanding and delinquent reports, outstanding and delinquent payments, or due and owing penalties or interest under Title 50A RCW.

(4) An employer may request only one grant per year for each employee who takes paid family or medical leave under this title. Submissions under (a) and (b) of this subsection do not qualify as grant applications and therefore do not count against the employer's limit of ten applications per year.

(a) An employer that qualifies for a grant under RCW 50A.24.010 for an amount that is less than one thousand dollars may submit documentation of significant additional wage-related costs incurred after filing the initial grant application in an attempt to qualify for additional grant funds.

(b) An employer may submit a revised application for a grant under RCW 50A.24.010 in an attempt to qualify for additional grant funds.

(5) An employer must apply for any grant no later than four months following the last day of the employee's paid family or medical leave.