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Update on PFML/SST
There have been a number of bills introduced providing modifications to paid family and medical leave and sick and safe time. All of these bills provide options to be amended into final legislation for action on the floor. MN Chamber recommendations are included in these bills below. You can provide feedback here.
Sick and safe time modifications: SF2300 & HF2025
Sec. 1: Modifies the definition of “employer” as an employer with 15 or fewer employees.
Sec. 2: Allows an employer to prorate sick and safe time amounts for an employee based on full- or part-time work for the remainder of that year.
Sec. 3: Modifies when an employer may require an employee to give notice of the need for sick and safe time to “as reasonably required by the employer” subject to the other requirements of the law.
Sec. 4: Modifies when an employer may require reasonable documentation when an employee uses earned sick and safe time to two consecutive scheduled workdays. Also allows that an employer may require documentation at such time that reasonable documentation is available if it is not available in a reasonable amount of time initially.
Sec. 5: Specifies that the law does not prohibit an employee from voluntarily seeking or trading shifts with a replacement worker to cover the hours the employee uses as earned sick and safe time.
Sec. 6: Repeals the 2024 amendment to apply the law to “more generous policies”
Sec. 7: Provides a “new business” exemption for an employer that is a new business during the first year of operation.
Paid leave modifications: SF3141 & HF2962
Sec. 1. Excludes employees of small employers (15 or fewer employees) from the definition of “employee” except when an employee elects individual coverage.
Sec. 2. Excludes small employers from the definition of “employer” unless the employer elects to provide coverage.
Sec. 3. Modifies the definition of “family member.” Also allows an applicant to annually designate one individual who has a personal relationship with the applicant as a “family member.”
Sec. 4. Expands the definition of “seasonal employee” by removing the limited application to the hospitality industry.
Sec. 5. Provides a definition of “small employer” as an employer with 15 or fewer employees.
Sec. 6. Modifies the formula for calculating the weekly benefit amount by eliminating the third tier.
Sec. 7. Caps the maximum length of benefit weeks at 12 weeks, except that two additional weeks are allowed for leave related to pregnancy/childbirth complications.
Secs. 8 and 9. Allow private plans to provide shorter durations of leave dependent on the total dollar value of wage replacement benefits.
Sec. 10. Allow individuals employed by small employers and small employers to elect to participate in the paid leave benefit programs.
Sec. 11. Caps the annual premium rate at one percent of taxable wages.
The bills noted above are in addition to the current bills in the House that could serve as vehicles for final legislation.
HF11 (one year delay)
HF1976 (more PFML modifications)
HF1325 (sick and safe time modifications)
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