What New Moms, Dads Would Get Under DFL's Paid Leave Bill

ST. PAUL, MN — A bill making its way through the Minnesota Legislature would give paid leave benefits to working mothers and fathers after the birth of their child.

People who need to care for a family member with a serious health condition would also qualify.

The bill allows up to 12 weeks of leave. Workers taking leave would be paid up to 90 percent of their wages during that time.

The money would come from the "family and medical benefit insurance account," a state pool funded by employers and employees, similar to how unemployment insurance works.

An applicant's weekly benefit is calculated by adding the amounts below:

(1) 90 percent of wages that do not exceed 50 percent of the state's average weekly wage;
plus

(2) 66 percent of wages that exceed 50 percent of the state's average weekly wage but
not 100 percent; plus

(3) 55 percent of wages that exceed 100 percent of the state's average weekly wage.

The state's average weekly wage is calculated on or before June 30 each year by the commissioner Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The benefits would be paid weekly.

"Minnesotans deserve to be treated with dignity in the workplace, and that starts with ensuring that every worker has a right to earned sick and safe time," said Sen. Sandy Pappas, one of the bill's authors, after the bill passed out of the Labor and Industry Policy Committee on Wednesday.

"We heard testimony from workers who have personal experience with the importance of paid time off to maintain their own safety, recover from illness, or care for a loved one without missing a paycheck."

Rep. Liz Olson, the bill's author in the House, added that "during the COVID-19 pandemic’s darkest days, we saw just how important it was for people to stay home when they’re sick. But this was a problem well before COVID, and it’s a problem we’re ready to solve now."

For years, Democrats have pushed for guaranteed paid leave. But the measures were blocked by Republican lawmakers, who proposed a very different approach to leave last session.

But this year, the bill has good odds of passing the Democratically-controlled state House and Senate. Gov. Tim Walz has also signaled support for paid leave.