5 New MN Laws That Just Went Into Effect

ST. PAUL, MN — When the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1, dozens of new laws passed by the Democratically-controlled Minnesota Legislature went into effect.

Here are five significant laws that are now being enforced across the state:

1. MN Schools Must Stock All Boys, Girls Bathrooms With Tampons

A new law that requires public schools in Minnesota to stock menstrual products in all girls and boys bathrooms at no charge to students went into effect on Jan. 1.

The products, which include pads and tampons, must be available in restrooms "regularly" used by students in grades 4 to 12.

The state will supply the funding for the tampons with "$2 times the adjusted pupil units of the school district for the school year," the law states.

2. MN Employers Cannot Ask About Pay History

As of Jan. 1, employers and labor organizations cannot legally ask a job applicant about their previous salary, benefits, or anything else related to pay history.

The new law was passed by Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature during the 2023 session.

"An employer, employment agency, or labor organization shall not inquire into, consider, or require disclosure from any source the pay history of an applicant for employment for the purpose of determining wages, salary, earnings, benefits, or other compensation for that applicant," the law states.

3. Earned Safe And Sick Time Law

As of Jan. 1, almost every worker in Minnesota is guaranteed earned sick and safe time.

Under the law passed by Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature last session, employers must, at a minimum, allow employees to earn one hour of paid safe and sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours per year.

Employees begin accruing as soon as their employment begins and can use it as soon as it's accrued.

The law applies to any employer with one or more employees, and it covers all employees, including part-time and temporary. Employees qualify as long as they work at least 80 hours a year for an employer in Minnesota. However, independent contractors are not included in the law.

4. Law Restricting When Landlords Can Enter A Tenant's Unit

A new Minnesota state law now in effect adds specific language around the existing requirement for a landlord to give notice before entering a tenant's unit.

The new law says a landlord can enter a tenant's unit without their permission only if the landlord provides 24 hours' notice. Even after giving notice, the landlord can only enter between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., they must only enter for a "reasonable" business purpose, and should not stay more than four hours.

A "reasonable purpose" includes showing the unit to prospective tenants, performing maintenance work, or if the landlord believes the tenant is violating the lease.

5. Extreme risk protection orders permitted

A new law provides a way for family or household members, a chief law enforcement officer, a city or county attorney, or a guardian to petition a court for an "extreme risk protection order" that would ban someone from possessing firearms for up to one year.

"A petition for relief shall allege that the respondent poses a significant danger of bodily harm to other persons or is at significant risk of suicide by possessing a firearm," the law states. "A petition for emergency relief shall additionally allege that the respondent presents an immediate and present danger of either bodily harm to others or of taking their life."

Short summaries of all laws passed by the Minnesota Legislature last session are available online here.

Minnesota's 2024 legislative session begins Feb. 12.