Update Applicable to:	Effective Date
All Covered Employers in Minnesota	June 15, 2025 – Paid Leave Premiums   January 1, 2026

What happened?

On June 14, 2025, Minnesota enacted Senate File (SF) 17, a comprehensive omnibus bill amending several employment laws to expand worker protections and clarify employer obligations.

Overview:

The new law introduces key changes to rest and meal break requirements, earned sick and safe time (ESST), and paid leave, while also enhancing enforcement mechanisms and workforce development initiatives.

Rest and Meal Breaks

• Employers must provide:
  • A paid 15-minute rest break (or longer if needed to access the nearest restroom) every four consecutive hours of work.
  • A 30-minute unpaid meal break for employees working six or more consecutive hours.

• New penalties: Employers who fail to provide these breaks must pay the employee for the missed time plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.

Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)

• Employers may require reasonable notice for unforeseeable absences.
• Documentation may be required after two consecutive workdays.
• Employees may voluntarily trade shifts to cover ESST hours.
• Employers may advance ESST hours based on anticipated work.
• Any shortfall must be reconciled to ensure employees are not under-credited.

Minnesota Paid Leave: Effective June 15, 2025

• The maximum premium employers may be charged was reduced from 1.2% to 1.1% of taxable wages.
• Paid leave benefits begin January 1, 2026.

Overview:

Additional Updates

• Misclassification Enforcement: Increased funding and reporting requirements to address improper classification of workers as independent contractors.

• Prevailing Wage Enforcement: Additional resources to support wage compliance on public projects.

• Construction Worker Mental Health: Funding for mental health and suicide prevention initiatives in the construction industry.

• Cannabis Industry Training: Launch of the CanTrain grant program to support workforce development in the legal cannabis sector.

• Youth and Adult Workforce Programs: Expanded support for job training, career pathways, and wraparound services for underserved communities.

Source References

• Minnesota DOL – Jobs and Labor Omnibus (SF17/Ch. 6)
• Minnesota HF 15 (Companion Bill) – Text
• Minnesota Senate Bill Summaries – SF 17
• Minnesota Paid Leave Poster
• Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave Update and Implementation Dates (VensureHR)
• Minnesota Paid Leave Calculator – Payments and time off

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