SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Tuesday, the Minnesota House passed HF 2, known as Paid Family and Medical Leave. The bill provides Minnesota workers up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for family or themselves. The program is funded by a small employer and employee contribution, meaning lost wages from time off will be recovered by the State fund, not employers.
Rep. Ginny Klevorn (DFL – Plymouth) voted for the bill.
“Minnesotans deserve time to care for themselves and family members, whether it’s for a new baby, an unexpected illness, or an aging parent,” said Rep. Klevorn. “A Paid Family & Medical Leave Program prioritizes the needs of Minnesotan families, small & Main Street businesses, and nonprofits. By enacting this initiative in our state, we’re able to retain more of our talented workforce and stay competitive within our local economy.”
The bill establishes a grant for businesses with 50 employees or fewer while an employee is out on leave. For businesses needing to hire a temporary worker to fill the absence, they are eligible for a grant of up to $3,000 to help cover costs, and an additional $1,000 for other “significant additional wage-related costs.”
The United States is the only high-wealth country in the world that doesn’t require employers to offer paid family leave. A compelling majority of Americans support paid family leave; in one recent, national poll, 84% expressed support for a national paid family leave program. The paid family leave program would be administered by the Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in conjunction with its Unemployment Insurance (UI) program.
The bill currently awaits action by the Minnesota Senate.
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