Minnesota passes paid family and medical leave law 

With enactment of 2023 Ch. 59 (HF 2), Minnesota is the latest state to establish a paid family and medical leave (PFML) program. Contributions — initially set at 0.7% and capped at 1.2% of wages up to the Social Security taxable wage base — are evenly split between employers and employees. Contributions and benefits will start on Jan. 1, 2026. Covered employees may take up to 12 weeks of medical leave for a serious health condition and up to 12 weeks of family leave to bond with a new child, care for a family member, manage a qualifying exigency or address safety-related matters. However, combined medical and family leave cannot exceed 20 weeks in a benefit year. Covered employers can participate in the state program or maintain an approved private plan for one or both types of leave; private plans may be insured or self-funded. The PFML program is separate and apart from the state’s sick and safe leave law (2023 Ch. 53), effective in 2024.

Minnesota joins 12 other states (plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico) requiring paid leave for an employee’s own serious health condition or disability. All of these jurisdictions — except Hawaii and Puerto Rico — also require paid leave for qualifying family or caregiving reasons. For more details, see 2023 state paid family and medical leave contributions and benefits (Feb. 1, 2023).

Download the 11-page PDF to read full details about Minnesota’s PFML law. Topics covered include:

• Covered employers
• Funding and contributions
• Qualifying leave
• Leave duration
• Wage-replacement benefits
• Employee rights
• Private plans
• Coordination with other leave
• Required notices
• Administration
• Enforcement
• Small business provisions
• Employer actions