SAINT PAUL – Tonight, the Minnesota House is expected to approve the Paid Family & Medical Leave Act which will provide Minnesotans with up to 12 weeks of leave to recover from illness, bond with a new baby, or care for a loved one. Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth) and Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) support the legislation.
“It’s unconscionable that so many workers have to choose between bonding with a new baby or a family member who might be sick, and earning a paycheck,” Rep. Schultz said. “Minnesota’s working families are already facing enormous pressure and it’s not fair they are forced to make this choice. I’m proud to support this bill which will help enhance both Minnesotans’ physical and economic health.”
“Too many hard-working Minnesotans don’t have the opportunity to take the necessary time to care for a newborn, a sick family member, or themselves. As Minnesotans, we want to see each other succeed, and paid family and medical leave will help ensure everyone can,” Rep. Olson said. “This legislation is a step toward ensuring every family in our state can have a secure economic future, no matter their personal situation or background.”
Under the bill authored by Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL – Eagan), workers with qualifying family events and medical conditions could apply for leave to take care of a family member or get medical attention for themselves. They would receive a percentage of their regular wages while on leave.
Funding for paid family and medical leave would be shared between employers and employees. The program is modeled on Unemployment Insurance and would be funded by a premium collected as a payroll deduction. Employers and employees could split the costs evenly, with each paying about .3 percent of their payroll. In the case of a worker earning the state average, the employer and the worker would each pay about $168 a year or $3.23 per week.
The bill provides flexibility for employers. Employers can opt out of the program if they provide equivalent benefits.
Nationwide, only 14 percent of workers have access to paid family and medical leave.