HF 3888

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/27/2020 01:45pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; modifying provisions for paraprofessionals; appropriating
money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 13.719, by adding a
subdivision; 125A.08; 177.27, subdivision 4; 179A.07, subdivision 3; 256J.561,
by adding a subdivision; 256J.95, subdivisions 3, 11; 256P.01, subdivision 3;
268.19, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2019 Supplement, section 181.032;
proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 13.719, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Family and medical insurance data. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this subdivision,
the terms used have the meanings given them in section 268B.01.
new text end

new text begin (b) Data on applicants, family members, or employers under chapter 268B are private
or nonpublic data, provided that the department may share data collected from applicants
with employers or health care providers to the extent necessary to meet the requirements
of chapter 268B or other applicable law.
new text end

new text begin (c) The department and the Department of Labor and Industry may share data classified
under paragraph (b) to the extent necessary to meet the requirements of chapter 268B or
the Department of Labor and Industry's enforcement authority over chapter 268B, as provided
in section 177.27.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2020.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 125A.08, is amended to read:

125A.08 INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

(a) At the beginning of each school year, each school district shall have in effect, for
each child with a disability, an individualized education program.

(b) As defined in this section, every district must ensure the following:

(1) all students with disabilities are provided the special instruction and services which
are appropriate to their needs. Where the individualized education program team has
determined appropriate goals and objectives based on the student's needs, including the
extent to which the student can be included in the least restrictive environment, and where
there are essentially equivalent and effective instruction, related services, or assistive
technology devices available to meet the student's needs, cost to the district may be among
the factors considered by the team in choosing how to provide the appropriate services,
instruction, or devices that are to be made part of the student's individualized education
program. The individualized education program team shall consider and may authorize
services covered by medical assistance according to section 256B.0625, subdivision 26.
Before a school district evaluation team makes a determination of other health disability
under Minnesota Rules, part 3525.1335, subparts 1 and 2, item A, subitem (1), the evaluation
team must seek written documentation of the student's medically diagnosed chronic or acute
health condition signed by a licensed physician or a licensed health care provider acting
within the scope of the provider's practice. The student's needs and the special education
instruction and services to be provided must be agreed upon through the development of
an individualized education program. The program must address the student's need to develop
skills to live and work as independently as possible within the community. The individualized
education program team must consider positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and
supports that address behavior needs for children. During grade 9, the program must address
the student's needs for transition from secondary services to postsecondary education and
training, employment, community participation, recreation, and leisure and home living. In
developing the program, districts must inform parents of the full range of transitional goals
and related services that should be considered. The program must include a statement of
the needed transition services, including a statement of the interagency responsibilities or
linkages or both before secondary services are concluded. If the individualized education
program meets the plan components in section 120B.125, the individualized education
program satisfies the requirement and no additional transition plan is needed;

(2) children with a disability under age five and their families are provided special
instruction and services appropriate to the child's level of functioning and needs;

(3) children with a disability and their parents or guardians are guaranteed procedural
safeguards and the right to participate in decisions involving identification, assessment
including assistive technology assessment, and educational placement of children with a
disability;

(4) eligibility and needs of children with a disability are determined by an initial
evaluation or reevaluation, which may be completed using existing data under United States
Code, title 20, section 33, et seq.;

(5) to the maximum extent appropriate, children with a disability, including those in
public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not
disabled, and that special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with a
disability from the regular educational environment occurs only when and to the extent that
the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use
of supplementary services cannot be achieved satisfactorily;

(6) in accordance with recognized professional standards, testing and evaluation materials,
and procedures used for the purposes of classification and placement of children with a
disability are selected and administered so as not to be racially or culturally discriminatory;
and

(7) the rights of the child are protected when the parents or guardians are not known or
not available, or the child is a ward of the state.

(c) For all paraprofessionals employed to work in programs whose role in part is to
provide direct support to students with disabilities, the school board in each district shall
ensure that:

(1) before or beginning at the time of employment, each paraprofessional must develop
sufficient knowledge and skills in emergency procedures, building orientation, roles and
responsibilities, confidentiality, vulnerability, and reportability, among other things, to begin
meeting the needs, especially disability-specific and behavioral needs, of the students with
whom the paraprofessional works;

new text begin (2) before beginning work with an individual student with a disability, each
paraprofessional must be given paid time to review a student's individualized education
program and paid time to collaborate with a student's case manager regarding the plan;
new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end annual training opportunities are required to enable the paraprofessional to
continue to further develop the knowledge and skills that are specific to the students with
whom the paraprofessional works, including understanding disabilities, the unique and
individual needs of each student according to the student's disability and how the disability
affects the student's education and behavior, following lesson plans, and implementing
follow-up instructional procedures and activities; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (4) a minimum of 16 hours of paid orientation or professional development must be
provided annually to all paraprofessionals, Title I aides, and other instructional support
staff. The orientation or professional development must be relevant to the employee's
occupation and may include collaboration time with classroom teachers and planning for
the school year. For paraprofessionals who provide direct support to students, at least 50
percent of the professional development or orientation must be dedicated to meeting the
requirements of this section. Professional development for paraprofessionals may also
address the requirements of section 120B.363, subdivision 3. A school administrator must
provide an annual certification of compliance with this requirement to the commissioner;
and
new text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end a districtwide process obligates each paraprofessional to work under the ongoing
direction of a licensed teacher and, where appropriate and possible, the supervision of a
school nurse.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 177.27, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Compliance orders.

The commissioner may issue an order requiring an
employer to comply with sections 177.21 to 177.435, 181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 181.032,
181.101, 181.11, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), 181.275,
subdivision 2a, 181.722, 181.79, deleted text begin and deleted text end 181.939 to 181.943, new text begin 268B.09, subdivisions 1 to 6, and
268B.12, subdivision 2, new text end or with any rule promulgated under section 177.28. The
commissioner shall issue an order requiring an employer to comply with sections 177.41
to 177.435 if the violation is repeated. For purposes of this subdivision only, a violation is
repeated if at any time during the two years that preceded the date of violation, the
commissioner issued an order to the employer for violation of sections 177.41 to 177.435
and the order is final or the commissioner and the employer have entered into a settlement
agreement that required the employer to pay back wages that were required by sections
177.41 to 177.435. The department shall serve the order upon the employer or the employer's
authorized representative in person or by certified mail at the employer's place of business.
An employer who wishes to contest the order must file written notice of objection to the
order with the commissioner within 15 calendar days after being served with the order. A
contested case proceeding must then be held in accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.69.
If, within 15 calendar days after being served with the order, the employer fails to file a
written notice of objection with the commissioner, the order becomes a final order of the
commissioner.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2020.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 179A.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Meet and confer.

A public employer has the obligation to meet and confer,
under section 179A.08, with deleted text begin professional deleted text end employees to discuss policies and other matters
relating to their employment which are not terms and conditions of employment.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2019 Supplement, section 181.032, is amended to read:

181.032 REQUIRED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS BY EMPLOYER; NOTICE
TO EMPLOYEE.

(a) At the end of each pay period, the employer shall provide each employee an earnings
statement, either in writing or by electronic means, covering that pay period. An employer
who chooses to provide an earnings statement by electronic means must provide employee
access to an employer-owned computer during an employee's regular working hours to
review and print earnings statements new text begin , and must make statements available for review or
printing for a period of at least 12 months new text end .

(b) The earnings statement may be in any form determined by the employer but must
include:

(1) the name of the employee;

(2) the rate or rates of pay and basis thereof, including whether the employee is paid by
hour, shift, day, week, salary, piece, commission, or other method;

(3) allowances, if any, claimed pursuant to permitted meals and lodging;

(4) the total number of hours worked by the employee unless exempt from chapter 177;

(5) the total amount of gross pay earned by the employee during that period;

(6) a list of deductions made from the employee's pay;

new text begin (7) any amount deducted by the employer under section 268B.12, subdivision 2, and
the amount paid by the employer based on the employee's wages under section 268B.12,
subdivision 1;
new text end

deleted text begin (7) deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end the net amount of pay after all deductions are made;

deleted text begin (8) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end the date on which the pay period ends;

deleted text begin (9) deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end the legal name of the employer and the operating name of the employer if
different from the legal name;

deleted text begin (10) deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end the physical address of the employer's main office or principal place of business,
and a mailing address if different; and

deleted text begin (11) deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end the telephone number of the employer.

(c) An employer must provide earnings statements to an employee in writing, rather
than by electronic means, if the employer has received at least 24 hours notice from an
employee that the employee would like to receive earnings statements in written form. Once
an employer has received notice from an employee that the employee would like to receive
earnings statements in written form, the employer must comply with that request on an
ongoing basis.

(d) At the start of employment, an employer shall provide each employee a written notice
containing the following information:

(1) the rate or rates of pay and basis thereof, including whether the employee is paid by
the hour, shift, day, week, salary, piece, commission, or other method, and the specific
application of any additional rates;

(2) allowances, if any, claimed pursuant to permitted meals and lodging;

(3) paid vacation, sick time, or other paid time-off accruals and terms of use;

(4) the employee's employment status and whether the employee is exempt from minimum
wage, overtime, and other provisions of chapter 177, and on what basis;

(5) a list of deductions that may be made from the employee's pay;

(6) the number of days in the pay period, the regularly scheduled pay day, and the pay
day on which the employee will receive the first payment of wages earned;

(7) the legal name of the employer and the operating name of the employer if different
from the legal name;

(8) the physical address of the employer's main office or principal place of business, and
a mailing address if different; and

(9) the telephone number of the employer.

(e) The employer must keep a copy of the notice under paragraph (d) signed by each
employee acknowledging receipt of the notice. The notice must be provided to each employee
in English. The English version of the notice must include text provided by the commissioner
that informs employees that they may request, by indicating on the form, the notice be
provided in a particular language. If requested, the employer shall provide the notice in the
language requested by the employee. The commissioner shall make available to employers
the text to be included in the English version of the notice required by this section and assist
employers with translation of the notice in the languages requested by their employees.

(f) An employer must provide the employee any written changes to the information
contained in the notice under paragraph (d) prior to the date the changes take effect.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 256J.561, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Parents receiving family and medical leave benefits. new text end

new text begin A parent who meets
the criteria under subdivision 2 and who receives benefits under chapter 268B is not required
to participate in employment services.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 256J.95, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Eligibility for diversionary work program.

(a) Except for the categories of
family units listed in clauses (1) to (8), all family units who apply for cash benefits and who
meet MFIP eligibility as required in sections 256J.11 to 256J.15 are eligible and must
participate in the diversionary work program. Family units or individuals that are not eligible
for the diversionary work program include:

(1) child only cases;

(2) single-parent family units that include a child under 12 months of age. A parent is
eligible for this exception once in a parent's lifetime;

(3) family units with a minor parent without a high school diploma or its equivalent;

(4) family units with an 18- or 19-year-old caregiver without a high school diploma or
its equivalent who chooses to have an employment plan with an education option;

(5) family units with a caregiver who received DWP benefits within the 12 months prior
to the month the family applied for DWP, except as provided in paragraph (c);

(6) family units with a caregiver who received MFIP within the 12 months prior to the
month the family applied for DWP;

(7) family units with a caregiver who received 60 or more months of TANF assistance;
deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(8) family units with a caregiver who is disqualified from the work participation cash
benefit program, DWP, or MFIP due to fraud deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (9) single-parent family units where a parent is receiving family and medical leave
benefits under chapter 268B.
new text end

(b) A two-parent family must participate in DWP unless both caregivers meet the criteria
for an exception under paragraph (a), clauses (1) through (5), or the family unit includes a
parent who meets the criteria in paragraph (a), clause (6), (7), or (8).

(c) Once DWP eligibility is determined, the four months run consecutively. If a participant
leaves the program for any reason and reapplies during the four-month period, the county
must redetermine eligibility for DWP.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 256J.95, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Universal participation required.

(a) All DWP caregivers, except caregivers
who meet the criteria in paragraph (d), are required to participate in DWP employment
services. Except as specified in paragraphs (b) and (c), employment plans under DWP must,
at a minimum, meet the requirements in section 256J.55, subdivision 1.

(b) A caregiver who is a member of a two-parent family that is required to participate
in DWP who would otherwise be ineligible for DWP under subdivision 3 may be allowed
to develop an employment plan under section 256J.521, subdivision 2, that may contain
alternate activities and reduced hours.

(c) A participant who is a victim of family violence shall be allowed to develop an
employment plan under section 256J.521, subdivision 3. A claim of family violence must
be documented by the applicant or participant by providing a sworn statement which is
supported by collateral documentation in section 256J.545, paragraph (b).

(d) One parent in a two-parent family unit deleted text begin that has a natural born child under 12 months
of age deleted text end is not required to have an employment plan deleted text begin until the child reaches 12 months of age
unless the family unit has already used the exclusion under section 256J.561, subdivision
3, or the previously allowed child under age one exemption under section 256J.56, paragraph
(a), clause (5). deleted text end new text begin if that parent:
new text end

new text begin (1) receives family and medical leave benefits under chapter 268B; or
new text end

new text begin (2) has a natural born child under 12 months of age until the child reaches 12 months
of age unless the family unit has already used the exclusion under section 256J.561,
subdivision 3, or the previously allowed child under age one exemption under section
256J.56, paragraph (a), clause (5).
new text end

(e) The provision in paragraph (d) ends the first full month after the child reaches 12
months of age. This provision is allowable only once in a caregiver's lifetime. In a two-parent
household, only one parent shall be allowed to use this category.

(f) The participant and job counselor must meet in the month after the month the child
reaches 12 months of age to revise the participant's employment plan. The employment plan
for a family unit that has a child under 12 months of age that has already used the exclusion
in section 256J.561 must be tailored to recognize the caregiving needs of the parent.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 256P.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Earned income.

"Earned income" means cash or in-kind income earned through
the receipt of wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, tips, gratuities, profit from employment
activities, net profit from self-employment activities, payments made by an employer for
regularly accrued vacation or sick leave, severance pay based on accrued leave time, new text begin benefits
paid under chapter 268B, new text end payments from training programs at a rate at or greater than the
state's minimum wage, royalties, honoraria, or other profit from activity that results from
the client's work, service, effort, or labor. The income must be in return for, or as a result
of, legal activity.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 268.19, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Use of data.

(a) Except as provided by this section, data gathered from
any person under the administration of the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Law are
private data on individuals or nonpublic data not on individuals as defined in section 13.02,
subdivisions 9 and 12, and may not be disclosed except according to a district court order
or section 13.05. A subpoena is not considered a district court order. These data may be
disseminated to and used by the following agencies without the consent of the subject of
the data:

(1) state and federal agencies specifically authorized access to the data by state or federal
law;

(2) any agency of any other state or any federal agency charged with the administration
of an unemployment insurance program;

(3) any agency responsible for the maintenance of a system of public employment offices
for the purpose of assisting individuals in obtaining employment;

(4) the public authority responsible for child support in Minnesota or any other state in
accordance with section 256.978;

(5) human rights agencies within Minnesota that have enforcement powers;

(6) the Department of Revenue to the extent necessary for its duties under Minnesota
laws;

(7) public and private agencies responsible for administering publicly financed assistance
programs for the purpose of monitoring the eligibility of the program's recipients;

(8) the Department of Labor and Industry and the Commerce Fraud Bureau in the
Department of Commerce for uses consistent with the administration of their duties under
Minnesota law;

(9) the Department of Human Services and the Office of Inspector General and its agents
within the Department of Human Services, including county fraud investigators, for
investigations related to recipient or provider fraud and employees of providers when the
provider is suspected of committing public assistance fraud;

(10) local and state welfare agencies for monitoring the eligibility of the data subject
for assistance programs, or for any employment or training program administered by those
agencies, whether alone, in combination with another welfare agency, or in conjunction
with the department or to monitor and evaluate the statewide Minnesota family investment
program by providing data on recipients and former recipients of food stamps or food
support, cash assistance under chapter 256, 256D, 256J, or 256K, child care assistance under
chapter 119B, or medical programs under chapter 256B or 256L or formerly codified under
chapter 256D;

(11) local and state welfare agencies for the purpose of identifying employment, wages,
and other information to assist in the collection of an overpayment debt in an assistance
program;

(12) local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for the purpose of ascertaining
the last known address and employment location of an individual who is the subject of a
criminal investigation;

(13) the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has access to data on
specific individuals and specific employers provided the specific individual or specific
employer is the subject of an investigation by that agency;

(14) the Department of Health for the purposes of epidemiologic investigations;

(15) the Department of Corrections for the purposes of case planning and internal research
for preprobation, probation, and postprobation employment tracking of offenders sentenced
to probation and preconfinement and postconfinement employment tracking of committed
offenders;

(16) the state auditor to the extent necessary to conduct audits of job opportunity building
zones as required under section 469.3201; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(17) the Office of Higher Education for purposes of supporting program improvement,
system evaluation, and research initiatives including the Statewide Longitudinal Education
Data System deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (18) the Family and Medical Benefits Division of the Department of Employment and
Economic Development to be used as necessary to administer chapter 268B.
new text end

(b) Data on individuals and employers that are collected, maintained, or used by the
department in an investigation under section 268.182 are confidential as to data on individuals
and protected nonpublic data not on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivisions 3
and 13, and must not be disclosed except under statute or district court order or to a party
named in a criminal proceeding, administrative or judicial, for preparation of a defense.

(c) Data gathered by the department in the administration of the Minnesota unemployment
insurance program must not be made the subject or the basis for any suit in any civil
proceedings, administrative or judicial, unless the action is initiated by the department.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2020.
new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin [268B.01] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section
have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Account. new text end

new text begin "Account" means the family and medical benefit insurance account
in the special revenue fund in the state treasury under section 268B.02.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Applicant. new text end

new text begin "Applicant" means an individual applying for leave with benefits
under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Applicant's average weekly wage. new text end

new text begin "Applicant's average weekly wage" means
an amount equal to the applicant's high quarter wage credits divided by 13.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Benefit. new text end

new text begin "Benefit" or "benefits" mean monetary payments under this chapter
associated with qualifying bonding, family care, pregnancy, serious health condition,
qualifying exigency, or safety leave events, unless otherwise indicated by context.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Benefit year. new text end

new text begin "Benefit year" means a period of 52 consecutive calendar weeks
beginning on the first day of a leave approved for benefits under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Bonding. new text end

new text begin "Bonding" means time spent by an applicant who is a biological,
adoptive, or foster parent with a biological, adopted, or foster child in conjunction with the
child's birth, adoption, or placement.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Calendar day. new text end

new text begin "Calendar day" or "day" means a fixed 24-hour period
corresponding to a single calendar date.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Calendar week. new text end

new text begin "Calendar week" means a period of seven consecutive calendar
days.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Commissioner. new text end

new text begin "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment
and economic development, unless otherwise indicated by context.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Continuing treatment. new text end

new text begin A serious health condition involving continuing
treatment by a health care provider includes any one or more of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) a period of incapacity of more than three consecutive, full calendar days, and any
subsequent treatment or period of incapacity relating to the same condition, that also involves:
new text end

new text begin (i) treatment two or more times within 30 calendar days of the first day of incapacity,
unless extenuating circumstances exist, by a health care provider; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) treatment by a health care provider on at least one occasion that results in a regimen
of continuing treatment under the supervision of the health care provider;
new text end

new text begin (2) any period of incapacity or treatment for such incapacity due to a chronic serious
health condition. A chronic serious health condition is one that:
new text end

new text begin (i) requires periodic visits, defined as at least twice per year, for treatment for the
incapacity by a health care provider;
new text end

new text begin (ii) continues over an extended period of time, including recurring episodes of a single
underlying condition; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) may cause episodic rather than a continuing period of incapacity;
new text end

new text begin (3) a period of incapacity that is long-term due to a condition for which treatment may
not be effective, with the employee or family member under the supervision of, but not
necessarily receiving active treatment by a health care provider; and
new text end

new text begin (4) any period of absence to receive multiple treatments by a health care provider,
including any period of recovery therefrom, for:
new text end

new text begin (i) restorative surgery after an accident or other injury; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) a condition that would likely result in a period of incapacity of more than seven
consecutive, calendar days in the absence of medical intervention or treatment, such as
cancer, severe arthritis, or kidney disease.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Covered employment. new text end

new text begin "Covered employment" has the meaning given in
section 268.035, subdivision 12.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Day. new text end

new text begin "Day" means an eight-hour period.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Department. new text end

new text begin "Department" means the Department of Employment and
Economic Development, unless otherwise indicated by context.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Employee. new text end

new text begin "Employee" means an individual for whom premiums are paid on
wages under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Employer. new text end

new text begin "Employer" means a person or entity, other than an employee,
required to pay premiums under this chapter, except that a self-employed individual who
has elected and been approved for coverage under section 268B.11 is not considered an
employer with regard to the self-employed individual's own coverage and benefits.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end

new text begin Estimated self-employment income. new text end

new text begin "Estimated self-employment income"
means a self-employed individual's average net earnings from self-employment in the two
most recent taxable years. For a self-employed individual who had net earnings from
self-employment in only one of the years, the individual's estimated self-employment income
equals the individual's net earnings from self-employment in the year in which the individual
had net earnings from self-employment.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end

new text begin Family benefit program. new text end

new text begin "Family benefit program" means the program
administered under this chapter for the collection of premiums and payment of benefits
related to family care, bonding, safety leave, and leave related to a qualifying exigency.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end

new text begin Family care. new text end

new text begin "Family care" means an applicant caring for a family member
with a serious health condition or caring for a family member who is a covered service
member.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 20. new text end

new text begin Family member. new text end

new text begin (a) "Family member" means an employee's child, adult
child, spouse, sibling, parent, parent-in-law, grandchild, grandparent, stepparent, member
of the employee's household, or an individual described in paragraph (e).
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this chapter, a child includes a stepchild, biological, adopted, or
foster child of the employee.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this chapter, a grandchild includes a step-grandchild, biological,
adopted, or foster grandchild of the employee.
new text end

new text begin (d) For the purposes of this chapter, an individual is a member of the employee's
household if the individual has resided at the same address as the employee for at least one
year as of the first day of a leave under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin (e) For the purposes of this chapter, an individual with a serious health condition is
deemed a family member of the employee if (1) a health care provider certifies in writing
that the individual requires care relating to the serious health condition, and (2) the employee
and the care recipient certify in writing that the employee will be providing the required
care.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 21. new text end

new text begin Health care provider. new text end

new text begin "Health care provider" means an individual who is
licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized under law to practice in the individual's scope
of practice as a physician, osteopath, physician assistant, chiropractor, advanced practice
registered nurse, licensed psychologist, licensed independent clinical social worker, or
dentist. "Chiropractor" means only a chiropractor who provides manual manipulation of
the spine to correct a subluxation demonstrated to exist by an x-ray.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 22. new text end

new text begin High quarter. new text end

new text begin "High quarter" has the meaning given in section 268.035,
subdivision 19.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 23. new text end

new text begin Independent contractor. new text end

new text begin (a) If there is an existing specific test or definition
for independent contractor in Minnesota statute or rule applicable to an occupation or sector
as of the date of enactment of this chapter, that test or definition will apply to that occupation
or sector for purposes of this chapter. If there is not an existing test or definition as described,
the definition for independent contractor shall be as provided in this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (b) An individual is an independent contractor and not an employee of the person for
whom the individual is performing services in the course of the person's trade, business,
profession, or occupation only if:
new text end

new text begin (1) the individual maintains a separate business with the individual's own office,
equipment, materials, and other facilities;
new text end

new text begin (2) the individual:
new text end

new text begin (i) holds or has applied for a federal employer identification number; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) has filed business or self-employment income tax returns with the federal Internal
Revenue Service if the individual has performed services in the previous year;
new text end

new text begin (3) the individual is operating under contract to perform the specific services for the
person for specific amounts of money and under which the individual controls the means
of performing the services;
new text end

new text begin (4) the individual is incurring the main expenses related to the services that the individual
is performing for the person under the contract;
new text end

new text begin (5) the individual is responsible for the satisfactory completion of the services that the
individual has contracted to perform for the person and is liable for a failure to complete
the services;
new text end

new text begin (6) the individual receives compensation from the person for the services performed
under the contract on a commission or per-job or competitive bid basis and not on any other
basis;
new text end

new text begin (7) the individual may realize a profit or suffer a loss under the contract to perform
services for the person;
new text end

new text begin (8) the individual has continuing or recurring business liabilities or obligations; and
new text end

new text begin (9) the success or failure of the individual's business depends on the relationship of
business receipts to expenditures.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this chapter, an insurance producer, as defined in section 60K.31,
subdivision 6, is an independent contractor of an insurance company, as defined in section
60A.02, subdivision 4, unless the insurance producer and insurance company agree otherwise.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 24. new text end

new text begin Inpatient care. new text end

new text begin "Inpatient care" means an overnight stay in a hospital, hospice,
or residential medical care facility, including any period of incapacity defined under
subdivision 33, paragraph (b), or any subsequent treatment in connection with such inpatient
care.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 25. new text end

new text begin Maximum weekly benefit amount. new text end

new text begin "Maximum weekly benefit amount"
means the state's average weekly wage as calculated under section 268.035, subdivision 23.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 26. new text end

new text begin Medical benefit program. new text end

new text begin "Medical benefit program" means the program
administered under this chapter for the collection of premiums and payment of benefits
related to an applicant's serious health condition or pregnancy.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 27. new text end

new text begin Net earnings from self-employment. new text end

new text begin "Net earnings from self-employment"
has the meaning given in section 1402 of the Internal Revenue Code, as defined in section
290.01, subdivision 31.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 28. new text end

new text begin Noncovered employment. new text end

new text begin "Noncovered employment" has the meaning given
in section 268.035, subdivision 20.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 29. new text end

new text begin Pregnancy. new text end

new text begin "Pregnancy" means prenatal care or incapacity due to pregnancy,
or recovery from childbirth, still birth, miscarriage, or related health conditions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 30. new text end

new text begin Qualifying exigency. new text end

new text begin (a) "Qualifying exigency" means a need arising out of
a military member's active duty service or notice of an impending call or order to active
duty in the United States armed forces, including providing for the care or other needs of
the family member's child or other dependent, making financial or legal arrangements for
the family member, attending counseling, attending military events or ceremonies, spending
time with the family member during a rest and recuperation leave or following return from
deployment, or making arrangements following the death of the military member.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this chapter, a "military member" means a current or former
member of the United States armed forces, including a member of the National Guard or
reserves, who, except for a deceased military member, is a resident of the state and is a
family member of the employee taking leave related to the qualifying exigency.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 31. new text end

new text begin Safety leave. new text end

new text begin "Safety leave" means leave from work because of domestic
abuse, sexual assault, or stalking of the employee or employee's family member, provided
the leave is to:
new text end

new text begin (1) seek medical attention related to the physical or psychological injury or disability
caused by domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking;
new text end

new text begin (2) obtain services from a victim services organization;
new text end

new text begin (3) obtain psychological or other counseling;
new text end

new text begin (4) seek relocation due to the domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking; or
new text end

new text begin (5) seek legal advice or take legal action, including preparing for or participating in any
civil or criminal legal proceeding related to, or resulting from, the domestic abuse, sexual
assault, or stalking.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 32. new text end

new text begin Self-employed individual. new text end

new text begin "Self-employed individual" means a resident of
the state who, in one of the two taxable years preceding the current calendar year, derived
at least $10,000 in net earnings from self-employment from an entity other than an S
corporation for the performance of services in this state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 33. new text end

new text begin Self-employment premium base. new text end

new text begin "Self-employment premium base" means
the lesser of:
new text end

new text begin (1) a self-employed individual's estimated self-employment income for the calendar year
plus the individual's self-employment wages in the calendar year; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the maximum earnings subject to the FICA Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability
Insurance tax in the taxable year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 34. new text end

new text begin Self-employment wages. new text end

new text begin "Self-employment wages" means the amount of
wages that a self-employed individual earned in the calendar year from an entity from which
the individual also received net earnings from self-employment.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 35. new text end

new text begin Serious health condition. new text end

new text begin (a) "Serious health condition" means an illness,
injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care as defined
in subdivision 24 or continuing treatment by a health care provider as defined in subdivision
11.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Incapacity" means inability to work, attend school, or perform other regular daily
activities due to the serious health condition, treatment therefore, or recovery therefrom.
new text end

new text begin (c) Treatment includes but is not limited to examinations to determine if a serious health
condition exists and evaluations of the condition. Treatment does not include routine physical
examinations, eye examinations, or dental examinations. A regimen of continuing treatment
includes, for example, a course of prescription medication or therapy requiring special
equipment to resolve or alleviate the health condition.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 36. new text end

new text begin State's average weekly wage. new text end

new text begin "State's average weekly wage" means the
weekly wage calculated under section 268.035, subdivision 23.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 37. new text end

new text begin Taxable year. new text end

new text begin "Taxable year" has the meaning given in section 290.01,
subdivision 9.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 38. new text end

new text begin Wage credits. new text end

new text begin "Wage credits" has the meaning given in section 268.035,
subdivision 27.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2020.
new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin [268B.02] FAMILY AND MEDICAL BENEFIT INSURANCE PROGRAM
CREATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin A family and medical benefit insurance program is created to
be administered by the commissioner according to the terms of this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Creation of division. new text end

new text begin A Family and Medical Benefit Insurance Division is
created within the department under the authority of the commissioner. The commissioner
shall appoint a director of the division. The division shall administer and operate the benefit
program under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Rulemaking. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may adopt rules to implement the provisions
of this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Account creation; appropriation. new text end

new text begin The family and medical benefit insurance
account is created in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. Money in this account
is appropriated to the commissioner to pay benefits under and to administer this chapter,
including outreach required under section 268B.15.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Information technology services and equipment. new text end

new text begin The department is exempt
from the provisions of section 16E.016 for the purposes of this chapter.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2020.
new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin [268B.03] ELIGIBILITY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Applicant. new text end

new text begin An applicant who has a serious health condition, has a
qualifying exigency, is taking safety leave, is providing family care, is bonding, or is pregnant
or recovering from pregnancy, and who satisfies the conditions of this section is eligible to
receive benefits subject to the provisions of this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Wage credits. new text end

new text begin An applicant must have sufficient wage credits from an employer
or employers as defined in section 268B.01, subdivision 16, to establish a benefit account
under section 268.07, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Seven-day qualifying event. new text end

new text begin (a) The period for which an applicant is seeking
benefits must be or have been based on a single event of at least seven calendar days' duration
related to pregnancy, recovery from pregnancy, family care, a qualifying exigency, safety
leave, or the applicant's serious health condition. The days need not be consecutive.
new text end

new text begin (b) Benefits related to bonding need not meet the seven-day qualifying event requirement.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must use the rulemaking authority under section 268B.02,
subdivision 3, to adopt rules regarding what serious health conditions and other events are
prospectively presumed to constitute seven-day qualifying events under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Ineligible. new text end

new text begin (a) An applicant is not eligible for benefits for any portion of a day
for which the applicant worked for pay.
new text end

new text begin (b) An applicant is not eligible for benefits for any day for which the applicant received
benefits under chapter 176 or 268.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Certification. new text end

new text begin An applicant for benefits under this chapter must fulfill the
certification requirements under section 268B.04, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Records release. new text end

new text begin An individual whose medical records are necessary to
determine eligibility for benefits under this chapter must sign and date a legally effective
waiver authorizing release of medical or other records, to the limited extent necessary to
administer or enforce this chapter, to the department and the Department of Labor and
Industry.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Self-employed individual applicant. new text end

new text begin To fulfill the requirements of this section,
a self-employed individual or independent contractor who has elected and been approved
for coverage under section 268B.11 must fulfill only the requirements of subdivisions 3, 4,
5, and 6.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin [268B.04] APPLICATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Process; deadline. new text end

new text begin Applicants must file a benefit claim pursuant to rules
promulgated by the commissioner within 90 calendar days of the related qualifying event.
If a claim is filed more than 90 calendar days after the start of leave, the covered individual
may receive reduced benefits. All claims shall include a certification supporting a request
for leave under this chapter. The commissioner must establish good cause exemptions from
the certification requirement deadline in the event that a serious health condition of the
applicant prevents the applicant from providing the required certification within the 90
calendar days.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Certification. new text end

new text begin (a) Certification for an applicant taking leave related to the
applicant's serious health condition shall be sufficient if the certification states the date on
which the serious health condition began, the probable duration of the condition, and the
appropriate medical facts within the knowledge of the health care provider as required by
the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) Certification for an applicant taking leave to care for a family member with a serious
health condition shall be sufficient if the certification states the date on which the serious
health condition commenced, the probable duration of the condition, the appropriate medical
facts within the knowledge of the health care provider as required by the commissioner, a
statement that the family member requires care, and an estimate of the amount of time that
the family member will require care.
new text end

new text begin (c) Certification for an applicant taking leave related to pregnancy shall be sufficient if
the certification states the expected due date and recovery period based on appropriate
medical facts within the knowledge of the health care provider.
new text end

new text begin (d) Certification for an applicant taking bonding leave because of the birth of the
applicant's child shall be sufficient if the certification includes either the child's birth
certificate or a document issued by the health care provider of the child or the health care
provider of the person who gave birth, stating the child's birth date.
new text end

new text begin (e) Certification for an applicant taking bonding leave because of the placement of a
child with the applicant for adoption or foster care shall be sufficient if the applicant provides
a document issued by the health care provider of the child, an adoption or foster care agency
involved in the placement, or by other individuals as determined by the commissioner that
confirms the placement and the date of placement. To the extent that the status of an applicant
as an adoptive or foster parent changes while an application for benefits is pending, or while
the covered individual is receiving benefits, the applicant must notify the department of
such change in status in writing.
new text end

new text begin (f) Certification for an applicant taking leave because of a qualifying exigency shall be
sufficient if the certification includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) a copy of the family member's active-duty orders;
new text end

new text begin (2) other documentation issued by the United States armed forces; or
new text end

new text begin (3) other documentation permitted by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (g) Certification for an applicant taking safety leave is sufficient if the certification
includes a court record or documentation signed by a volunteer or employee of a victim's
services organization, an attorney, a police officer, or an antiviolence counselor. The
commissioner must not require disclosure of details relating to an applicant's or applicant's
family member's domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.
new text end

new text begin (h) Certifications under paragraphs (a) to (e) must be reviewed and signed by a health
care provider with knowledge of the qualifying event associated with the leave.
new text end

new text begin (i) For a leave taken on an intermittent or reduced-schedule basis, based on a serious
health condition of an applicant or applicant's family member, the certification under this
subdivision must include an explanation of how such leave would be medically beneficial
to the individual with the serious health condition.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 15.

new text begin [268B.05] DETERMINATION OF APPLICATION.
new text end

new text begin Upon the filing of a complete application for benefits, the commissioner shall examine
the application and on the basis of facts found by the commissioner and records maintained
by the department, the applicant shall be determined to be eligible or ineligible within two
weeks. If the application is determined to be valid, the commissioner shall promptly notify
the applicant and any other interested party as to the week when benefits commence, the
weekly benefit amount payable, and the maximum duration of those benefits. If the
application is determined to be invalid, the commissioner shall notify the applicant and any
other interested party of that determination and the reasons for it. If the processing of the
application is delayed for any reason, the commissioner shall notify the applicant, in writing,
within two weeks of the date the application for benefits is filed of the reason for the delay.
Unless the applicant or any other interested party, within 30 calendar days, requests a hearing
before a benefit judge, the determination is final. For good cause shown, the 30-day period
may be extended. At any time within one year from the date of a monetary determination,
the commissioner, upon request of the applicant or on the commissioner's own initiative,
may reconsider the determination if it is found that an error in computation or identity has
occurred in connection with the determination or that additional wages pertinent to the
applicant's status have become available, or if that determination has been made as a result
of a nondisclosure or misrepresentation of a material fact.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 16.

new text begin [268B.06] EMPLOYER NOTIFICATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) Upon a determination under section 268B.05 that an applicant is entitled to benefits,
the commissioner must promptly send a notification to each current employer of the applicant,
if any, in accordance with paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) The notification under paragraph (a) must include, at a minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) the name of the applicant;
new text end

new text begin (2) that the applicant has applied for and received benefits;
new text end

new text begin (3) the week the benefits commence;
new text end

new text begin (4) the weekly benefit amount payable;
new text end

new text begin (5) the maximum duration of benefits; and
new text end

new text begin (6) descriptions of the employer's right to participate in a hearing under section 268B.05,
and appeal process under section 268B.07.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 17.

new text begin [268B.07] APPEAL PROCESS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Hearing. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall designate a chief benefit judge.
new text end

new text begin (b) Upon a timely appeal to a determination having been filed or upon a referral for
direct hearing, the chief benefit judge must set a time and date for a de novo due-process
hearing and send notice to an applicant and an employer, by mail or electronic transmission,
not less than ten calendar days before the date of the hearing.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may adopt rules on procedures for hearings. The rules need not
conform to common law or statutory rules of evidence and other technical rules of procedure.
new text end

new text begin (d) The chief benefit judge has discretion regarding the method by which the hearing is
conducted.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Decision. new text end

new text begin (a) After the conclusion of the hearing, upon the evidence obtained,
the benefit judge must serve by mail or electronic transmission to all parties, the decision,
reasons for the decision, and written findings of fact.
new text end

new text begin (b) Decisions of a benefit judge are not precedential.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Request for reconsideration. new text end

new text begin Any party, or the commissioner, may, within
30 calendar days after service of the benefit judge's decision, file a request for reconsideration
asking the judge to reconsider that decision.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Appeal to court of appeals. new text end

new text begin Any final determination on a request for
reconsideration may be appealed by any party directly to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Benefit judges. new text end

new text begin (a) Only employees of the department who are attorneys licensed
to practice law in Minnesota may serve as a chief benefit judge, senior benefit judges who
are supervisors, or benefit judges.
new text end

new text begin (b) The chief benefit judge must assign a benefit judge to conduct a hearing and may
transfer to another benefit judge any proceedings pending before another benefit judge.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 18.

new text begin [268B.08] BENEFITS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Weekly benefit amount. new text end

new text begin (a) Subject to the maximum weekly benefit
amount, an applicant's weekly benefit is calculated by adding the amounts obtained by
applying the following percentage to an applicant's average weekly wage:
new text end

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

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

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

new text begin (b) The state's average weekly wage is the average wage as calculated under section
268.035, subdivision 23, at the time a benefit amount is first determined.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, weekly benefits must not exceed
the maximum weekly benefit amount applicable at the time benefit payments commence.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Timing of payment. new text end

new text begin Except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, benefits
must be paid weekly.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Maximum length of benefits. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), in a
single benefit year, an applicant may receive up to 12 weeks of benefits under this chapter
related to the applicant's serious health condition or pregnancy and up to 12 weeks of benefits
under this chapter for bonding, safety leave, or family care.
new text end

new text begin (b) An applicant may receive up to 12 weeks of benefits in a single benefit year for leave
related to one or more qualifying exigencies.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Minimum period for which benefits payable. new text end

new text begin Except for a claim for benefits
for bonding leave, any claim for benefits must be based on a single-qualifying event of at
least seven calendar days. Benefits may be paid for a minimum increment of one day. The
minimum increment of one day may consist of multiple, nonconsecutive portions of a day
totaling eight hours.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Withholding of federal tax. new text end

new text begin If the Internal Revenue Service determines that
benefits are subject to federal income tax, and an applicant elects to have federal income
tax deducted and withheld from the applicant's benefits, the commissioner must deduct and
withhold the amount specified in the Internal Revenue Code in a manner consistent with
state law.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 19.

new text begin [268B.085] LEAVE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Right to leave. new text end

new text begin Ninety calendar days from the date of hire, an employee
has a right to leave from employment for any day, or portion of a day, for which the employee
would be eligible for benefits under this chapter, regardless of whether the employee actually
applied for benefits and regardless of whether the employee is covered under a private plan
or the public program under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Notice to employer. new text end

new text begin (a) If the need for leave is foreseeable, an employee must
provide the employer at least 30 days' advance notice before leave under this chapter is to
begin. If 30 days' notice is not practicable because of a lack of knowledge of approximately
when leave will be required to begin, a change in circumstances, or a medical emergency,
notice must be given as soon as practicable. Whether leave is to be continuous or is to be
taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule basis, notice need only be given one time, but
the employee must advise the employer as soon as practicable if dates of scheduled leave
change or are extended, or were initially unknown. In those cases where the employee is
required to provide at least 30 days' notice of foreseeable leave and does not do so, the
employee must explain the reasons why such notice was not practicable upon a request from
the employer for such information.
new text end

new text begin (b) "As soon as practicable" means as soon as both possible and practical, taking into
account all of the facts and circumstances in the individual case. When an employee becomes
aware of a need for leave under this chapter less than 30 days in advance, it should be
practicable for the employee to provide notice of the need for leave either the same day or
the next day, unless the need for leave is based on a medical emergency. In all cases,
however, the determination of when an employee could practicably provide notice must
take into account the individual facts and circumstances.
new text end

new text begin (c) An employee shall provide at least verbal notice sufficient to make the employer
aware that the employee needs leave allowed under this chapter and the anticipated timing
and duration of the leave. An employer may require an employee giving notice of leave to
include a certification for the leave as described in section 268B.04, subdivision 2. Such
certification, if required by an employer, is timely when the employee delivers it as soon
as practicable given the circumstances requiring the need for leave, and the required contents
of the certification.
new text end

new text begin (d) An employer may require an employee to comply with the employer's usual and
customary notice and procedural requirements for requesting leave, absent unusual
circumstances or other circumstances caused by the reason for the employee's need for
leave. Leave under this chapter must not be delayed or denied where an employer's usual
and customary notice or procedural requirements require notice to be given sooner than set
forth in this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (e) If an employer has failed to provide notice to the employee as required under section
268B.22, paragraph (a), (b), or (e), the employee is not required to comply with the notice
requirements of this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Bonding leave. new text end

new text begin Bonding leave taken under this chapter begins at a time requested
by the employee. Bonding leave must begin within 12 months of the birth, adoption, or
placement of a foster child, except that, in the case where the child must remain in the
hospital longer than the mother, the leave must begin within 12 months after the child leaves
the hospital.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Intermittent or reduced leave schedule. new text end

new text begin (a) Leave under this chapter, based
on a serious health condition, may be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule
if such leave would be medically beneficial to the individual with the serious health condition.
For all other leaves under this chapter, leave may be taken intermittently or on a reduced
leave schedule. Intermittent leave is leave taken in separate blocks of time due to a single,
seven-day qualifying event. A reduced leave schedule is a leave schedule that reduces an
employee's usual number of working hours per workweek or hours per workday.
new text end

new text begin (b) Leave taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule basis counts toward the
maximums described in section 268B.08, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 20.

new text begin [268B.09] EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Retaliation prohibited. new text end

new text begin An employer must not retaliate against an
employee for requesting or obtaining benefits, or for exercising any other right under this
chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Interference prohibited. new text end

new text begin An employer must not obstruct or impede an
application for leave or benefits or the exercise of any other right under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Waiver of rights void. new text end

new text begin Any agreement to waive, release, or commute rights
to benefits or any other right under this chapter is void.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin No assignment of benefits. new text end

new text begin Any assignment, pledge, or encumbrance of benefits
is void. Benefits are exempt from levy, execution, attachment, or any other remedy provided
for the collection of debt. Any waiver of this subdivision is void.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Continued insurance. new text end

new text begin During any leave for which an employee is entitled to
benefits under this chapter, the employer must maintain coverage under any group insurance
policy, group subscriber contract, or health care plan for the employee and any dependents
as if the employee was not on leave, provided, however, that the employee must continue
to pay any employee share of the cost of such benefits.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Employee right to reinstatement. new text end

new text begin (a) On return from leave under this chapter,
an employee is entitled to be returned to the same position the employee held when leave
commenced or to an equivalent position with equivalent benefits, pay, and other terms and
conditions of employment. An employee is entitled to such reinstatement even if the
employee has been replaced or the employee's position has been restructured to accommodate
the employee's absence.
new text end

new text begin (b)(1) An equivalent position is one that is virtually identical to the employee's former
position in terms of pay, benefits, and working conditions, including privileges, prerequisites,
and status. It must involve the same or substantially similar duties and responsibilities,
which must entail substantially equivalent skill, effort, responsibility, and authority.
new text end

new text begin (2) If an employee is no longer qualified for the position because of the employee's
inability to attend a necessary course, renew a license, fly a minimum number of hours, or
the like, as a result of the leave, the employee must be given a reasonable opportunity to
fulfill those conditions upon return from leave.
new text end

new text begin (c)(1) An employee is entitled to any unconditional pay increases which may have
occurred during the leave period, such as cost of living increases. Pay increases conditioned
upon seniority, length of service, or work performed must be granted in accordance with
the employer's policy or practice with respect to other employees on an equivalent leave
status for a reason that does not qualify for leave under this chapter. An employee is entitled
to be restored to a position with the same or equivalent pay premiums, such as a shift
differential. If an employee departed from a position averaging ten hours of overtime, and
corresponding overtime pay, each week an employee is ordinarily entitled to such a position
on return from leave under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin (2) Equivalent pay includes any bonus or payment, whether it is discretionary or
nondiscretionary, made to employees consistent with the provisions of clause (1). However,
if a bonus or other payment is based on the achievement of a specified goal such as hours
worked, products sold, or perfect attendance, and the employee has not met the goal due to
leave under this chapter, the payment may be denied, unless otherwise paid to employees
on an equivalent leave status for a reason that does not qualify for leave under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin (d) Benefits under this section include all benefits provided or made available to
employees by an employer, including group life insurance, health insurance, disability
insurance, sick leave, annual leave, educational benefits, and pensions, regardless of whether
such benefits are provided by a practice or written policy of an employer through an employee
benefit plan as defined in section 3(3) of United States Code, title 29, section 1002(3).
new text end

new text begin (1) At the end of an employee's leave under this chapter, benefits must be resumed in
the same manner and at the same levels as provided when the leave began, and subject to
any changes in benefit levels that may have taken place during the period of leave affecting
the entire workforce, unless otherwise elected by the employee. Upon return from a leave
under this chapter, an employee cannot be required to requalify for any benefits the employee
enjoyed before leave began, including family or dependent coverages.
new text end

new text begin (2) An employee may, but is not entitled to, accrue any additional benefits or seniority
during a leave under this chapter. Benefits accrued at the time leave began, however, must
be available to an employee upon return from leave.
new text end

new text begin (3) With respect to pension and other retirement plans, leave under this chapter must
not be treated as or counted toward a break in service for purposes of vesting and eligibility
to participate. Also, if the plan requires an employee to be employed on a specific date in
order to be credited with a year of service for vesting, contributions, or participation purposes,
an employee on leave under this chapter must be treated as employed on that date. However,
periods of leave under this chapter need not be treated as credited service for purposes of
benefit accrual, vesting, and eligibility to participate.
new text end

new text begin (4) Employees on leave under this chapter must be treated as if they continued to work
for purposes of changes to benefit plans. Employees on leave under this chapter are entitled
to changes in benefit plans, except those which may be dependent upon seniority or accrual
during the leave period, immediately upon return from leave or to the same extent they
would have qualified if no leave had been taken.
new text end

new text begin (e) An equivalent position must have substantially similar duties, conditions,
responsibilities, privileges, and status as the employee's original position.
new text end

new text begin (1) The employee must be reinstated to the same or a geographically proximate worksite
from where the employee had previously been employed. If the employee's original worksite
has been closed, the employee is entitled to the same rights as if the employee had not been
on leave when the worksite closed.
new text end

new text begin (2) The employee is ordinarily entitled to return to the same shift or the same or an
equivalent work schedule.
new text end

new text begin (3) The employee must have the same or an equivalent opportunity for bonuses,
profit-sharing, and other similar discretionary and nondiscretionary payments.
new text end

new text begin (4) This chapter does not prohibit an employer from accommodating an employee's
request to be restored to a different shift, schedule, or position which better suits the
employee's personal needs on return from leave, or to offer a promotion to a better position.
However, an employee must not be induced by the employer to accept a different position
against the employee's wishes.
new text end

new text begin (f) The requirement that an employee be restored to the same or equivalent job with the
same or equivalent pay, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment does not extend
to de minimis, intangible, or unmeasurable aspects of the job.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Limitations on an employee's right to reinstatement. new text end

new text begin An employee has no
greater right to reinstatement or to other benefits and conditions of employment than if the
employee had been continuously employed during the period of leave under this chapter.
An employer must be able to show that an employee would not otherwise have been
employed at the time reinstatement is requested in order to deny restoration to employment.
new text end

new text begin (1) If an employee is laid off during the course of taking a leave under this chapter and
employment is terminated, the employer's responsibility to continue the leave, maintain
group health plan benefits, and restore the employee cease at the time the employee is laid
off, provided the employer has no continuing obligations under a collective bargaining
agreement or otherwise. An employer would have the burden of proving that an employee
would have been laid off during the period of leave under this chapter and, therefore, would
not be entitled to restoration. Restoration to a job slated for layoff when the employee's
original position would not meet the requirements of an equivalent position.
new text end

new text begin (2) If a shift has been eliminated or overtime has been decreased, an employee would
not be entitled to return to work that shift or the original overtime hours upon restoration.
However, if a position on, for example, a night shift has been filled by another employee,
the employee is entitled to return to the same shift on which employed before taking leave
under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin (3) If an employee was hired for a specific term or only to perform work on a discrete
project, the employer has no obligation to restore the employee if the employment term or
project is over and the employer would not otherwise have continued to employ the employee.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Remedies. new text end

new text begin (a) In addition to any other remedies available to an employee in
law or equity, an employer who violates the provisions of this section is liable to any
employee affected for:
new text end

new text begin (1) damages equal to the amount of:
new text end

new text begin (i) any wages, salary, employment benefits, or other compensation denied or lost to such
employee by reason of the violation, or, in a cases in which wages, salary, employment
benefits, or other compensation have not been denied or lost to the employee, any actual
monetary losses sustained by the employee as a direct result of the violation; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) reasonable interest on the amount described in item (i); and
new text end

new text begin (2) such equitable relief as may be appropriate, including employment, reinstatement,
and promotion.
new text end

new text begin (b) An action to recover damages or equitable relief prescribed in paragraph (a) may be
maintained against any employer in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction by
any one or more employees for and on behalf of:
new text end

new text begin (1) the employees; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the employees and other employees similarly situated.
new text end

new text begin (c) The court in an action under this section must, in addition to any judgment awarded
to the plaintiff or plaintiffs, allow reasonable attorney fees, reasonable expert witness fees,
and other costs of the action to be paid by the defendant.
new text end

new text begin (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow an employee to recover damages
from an employer for the denial of benefits under this chapter by the department, unless the
employer unlawfully interfered with the application for benefits under subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 21.

new text begin [268B.10] SUBSTITUTION OF A PRIVATE PLAN.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Application for substitution. new text end

new text begin Employers may apply to the commissioner
for approval to meet their obligations under this chapter through the substitution of a private
plan that provides paid family, paid medical, or paid family and medical benefits. In order
to be approved as meeting an employer's obligations under this chapter, a private plan must
confer all of the same rights, protections, and benefits provided to employees under this
chapter, including but not limited to benefits under section 268B.08 and employment
protections under section 268B.09. An employee covered by a private plan under this section
retains all applicable rights and remedies under section 268B.09.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Private plan requirements; medical benefit program. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner
must approve an application for private provision of the medical benefit program if the
commissioner determines:
new text end

new text begin (1) all of the employees of the employer are to be covered under the provisions of the
employer plan;
new text end

new text begin (2) eligibility requirements for benefits and leave are no more restrictive than as provided
under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (3) the weekly benefits payable under the private plan for any week are at least equal to
the weekly benefit amount payable under this chapter, taking into consideration any coverage
with respect to concurrent employment by another employer;
new text end

new text begin (4) the total number of weeks for which benefits are payable under the private plan is
at least equal to the total number of weeks for which benefits would have been payable
under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (5) no greater amount is required to be paid by employees toward the cost of benefits
under the employer plan than by this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (6) wage replacement benefits are stated in the plan separately and distinctly from other
benefits;
new text end

new text begin (7) the private plan will provide benefits and leave for any serious health condition or
pregnancy for which benefits are payable, and leave provided, under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (8) the private plan will impose no additional condition or restriction on the use of
medical benefits beyond those explicitly authorized by this chapter or regulations
promulgated pursuant to this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (9) the private plan will allow any employee covered under the private plan who is
eligible to receive medical benefits under this chapter to receive medical benefits under the
employer plan; and
new text end

new text begin (10) coverage will be continued under the private plan while an employee remains
employed by the employer.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a private plan may provide shorter durations of leave
and benefit eligibility if the total dollar value of wage replacement benefits under the private
plan for an employee for any particular qualifying event meets or exceeds what the total
dollar value would be under the public family and medical benefit program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Private plan requirements; family benefit program. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner
must approve an application for private provision of the family benefit program if the
commissioner determines:
new text end

new text begin (1) all of the employees of the employer are to be covered under the provisions of the
employer plan;
new text end

new text begin (2) eligibility requirements for benefits and leave are no more restrictive than as provided
under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (3) the weekly benefits payable under the private plan for any week are at least equal to
the weekly benefit amount payable under this chapter, taking into consideration any coverage
with respect to concurrent employment by another employer;
new text end

new text begin (4) the total number of weeks for which benefits are payable under the private plan is
at least equal to the total number of weeks for which benefits would have been payable
under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (5) no greater amount is required to be paid by employees toward the cost of benefits
under the employer plan than by this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (6) wage replacement benefits are stated in the plan separately and distinctly from other
benefits;
new text end

new text begin (7) the private plan will provide benefits and leave for any care for a family member
with a serious health condition, bonding with a child, qualifying exigency, or safety leave
event for which benefits are payable, and leave provided, under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (8) the private plan will impose no additional condition or restriction on the use of family
benefits beyond those explicitly authorized by this chapter or regulations promulgated
pursuant to this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (9) the private plan will allow any employee covered under the private plan who is
eligible to receive medical benefits under this chapter to receive medical benefits under the
employer plan; and
new text end

new text begin (10) coverage will be continued under the private plan while an employee remains
employed by the employer.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a private plan may provide shorter durations of leave
and benefit eligibility if the total dollar value of wage replacement benefits under the private
plan for an employee for any particular qualifying event meets or exceeds what the total
dollar value would be under the public family and medical benefit program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Use of private insurance products. new text end

new text begin Nothing in this section prohibits an
employer from meeting the requirements of a private plan through a private insurance
product. If the employer plan involves a private insurance product, that insurance product
must conform to any applicable law or rule.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Private plan approval and oversight fee. new text end

new text begin An employer with an approved
private plan will not be required to pay premiums established under section 268B.12. An
employer with an approved private plan will be responsible for a private plan approval and
oversight fee equal to $250 for employers with fewer than 50 employees, $500 for employers
with 50 to 499 employees, and $1,000 for employers with 500 or more employees. The
employer must pay this fee (1) upon initial application for private plan approval and (2) any
time the employer applies to amend the private plan. The commissioner will review and
report on the adequacy of this fee to cover private plan administrative costs annually
beginning October 1, 2021, as part of the annual report established in section 268B.21.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Plan duration. new text end

new text begin A private plan under this section must be in effect for a period
of at least one year and, thereafter, continuously unless the commissioner finds that the
employer has given notice of withdrawal from the plan in a manner specified by the
commissioner in this section or rule. The plan may be withdrawn by the employer within
30 days of the effective date of any law increasing the benefit amounts or within 30 days
of the date of any change in the rate of premiums. If the plan is not withdrawn, it must be
amended to conform to provide the increased benefit amount or change in the rate of the
employee's premium on the date of the increase or change.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Appeals. new text end

new text begin An employer may appeal any adverse action regarding that employer's
private plan to the commissioner, in a manner specified by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Employees no longer covered. new text end

new text begin (a) An employee is no longer covered by an
approved private plan if a leave under this chapter occurs after the employment relationship
with the private plan employer ends, or if the commissioner revokes the approval of the
private plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) An employee no longer covered by an approved private plan is, if otherwise eligible,
immediately entitled to benefits under this chapter to the same extent as though there had
been no approval of the private plan.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Posting of notice regarding private plan. new text end

new text begin An employer with a private plan
must provide a notice prepared by or approved by the commissioner regarding the private
plan consistent with the provisions of section 268B.22.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Amendment. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must approve any amendment to a private
plan adjusting the provisions thereof, if the commissioner determines:
new text end

new text begin (1) that the plan, as amended, will conform to the standards set forth in this chapter; and
new text end

new text begin (2) that notice of the amendment has been delivered to all affected employees at least
ten days before the submission of the amendment.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any amendments approved under this subdivision are effective on the date of the
commissioner's approval, unless the commissioner and the employer agree on a later date.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Successor employer. new text end

new text begin A private plan in effect at the time a successor acquires
the employer organization, trade, or business, or substantially all the assets thereof, or a
distinct and severable portion of the organization, trade, or business, and continues its
operation without substantial reduction of personnel resulting from the acquisition, must
continue the approved private plan and must not withdraw the plan without a specific request
for withdrawal in a manner and at a time specified by the commissioner. A successor may
terminate a private plan with notice to the commissioner and within 90 days from the date
of the acquisition.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Revocation of approval by commissioner. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner may
terminate any private plan if the commissioner determines the employer:
new text end

new text begin (1) failed to pay benefits;
new text end

new text begin (2) failed to pay benefits in a timely manner, consistent with the requirements of this
chapter;
new text end

new text begin (3) failed to submit reports as required by this chapter or rule adopted under this chapter;
or
new text end

new text begin (4) otherwise failed to comply with this chapter or rule adopted under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must give notice of the intention to terminate a plan to the employer
at least ten days before taking any final action. The notice must state the effective date and
the reason for the termination.
new text end

new text begin (c) The employer may, within ten days from mailing or personal service of the notice,
file an appeal to the commissioner in the time, manner, method, and procedure provided by
the commissioner under subdivision 7.
new text end

new text begin (d) The payment of benefits must not be delayed during an employer's appeal of the
revocation of approval of a private plan.
new text end

new text begin (e) If the commissioner revokes approval of an employer's private plan, that employer
is ineligible to apply for approval of another private plan for a period of three years, beginning
on the date of revocation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Employer penalties. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner may assess the following monetary
penalties against an employer with an approved private plan found to have violated this
chapter:
new text end

new text begin (1) $1,000 for the first violation; and
new text end

new text begin (2) $2,000 for the second, and each successive violation.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must waive collection of any penalty if the employer corrects the
violation within 30 days of receiving a notice of the violation and the notice is for a first
violation.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may waive collection of any penalty if the commissioner determines
the violation to be an inadvertent error by the employer.
new text end

new text begin (d) Monetary penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the account.
new text end

new text begin (e) Assessment of penalties under this subdivision may be appealed as provided by the
commissioner under subdivision 7.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Reports, information, and records. new text end

new text begin Employers with an approved private
plan must maintain all reports, information, and records as relating to the private plan and
claims for a period of six years from creation and provide to the commissioner upon request.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Audit and investigation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may investigate and audit plans
approved under this section both before and after the plans are approved.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end

Sec. 22.

new text begin [268B.11] SELF-EMPLOYED AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
ELECTION OF COVERAGE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Election of coverage. new text end

new text begin (a) A self-employed individual or independent
contractor may file with the commissioner by electronic transmission in a format prescribed
by the commissioner an application to be entitled to benefits under this chapter for a period
not less than 104 consecutive calendar weeks. Upon the approval of the commissioner, sent
by United States mail or electronic transmission, the individual is entitled to benefits under
this chapter beginning the calendar quarter after the date of approval or beginning in a later
calendar quarter if requested by the self-employed individual or independent contractor.
The individual ceases to be entitled to benefits as of the first day of January of any calendar
year only if, at least 30 calendar days before the first day of January, the individual has filed
with the commissioner by electronic transmission in a format prescribed by the commissioner
a notice to that effect.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may terminate any application approved under this section with
30 calendar days' notice sent by United States mail or electronic transmission if the
self-employed individual is delinquent on any premiums due under this chapter an election
agreement. If an approved application is terminated in this manner during the first 104
consecutive calendar weeks of election, the self-employed individual remains obligated to
pay the premium under subdivision 3 for the remainder of that 104-week period.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Application new text end

new text begin A self-employed individual who applies for coverage under this
section must provide the commissioner with (1) the amount of the individual's net earnings
from self-employment, if any, from the two most recent taxable years and all tax documents
necessary to prove the accuracy of the amounts reported and (2) any other documentation
the commissioner requires. A self-employed individual who is covered under this chapter
must annually provide the commissioner with the amount of the individual's net earnings
from self-employment within 30 days of filing a federal income tax return.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Premium. new text end

new text begin A self-employed individual who elects to receive coverage under
this chapter must annually pay a premium equal to one-half the percentage in section
268B.12, subdivision 4, clause (1), times the lesser of:
new text end

new text begin (1) the individual's self-employment premium base; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the maximum earnings subject to the FICA Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability
Insurance tax.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Benefits. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a self-employed individual
who has applied to and been approved for coverage by the commissioner under this section
is entitled to benefits on the same basis as an employee under this chapter, except that a
self-employed individual's weekly benefit amount under section 268B.08, subdivision 1,
must calculated as a percentage of the self-employed individual's self-employment premium
base, rather than wages.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 23.

new text begin [268B.12] PREMIUMS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Employer. new text end

new text begin (a) Each person or entity required, or who elected, to register
for a tax account under sections 268.042, 268.045, and 268.046 must pay a premium on the
wages paid to employees in covered employment for each calendar year. The premium must
be paid on all wages up to the maximum specified by this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) Each person or entity required, or who elected, to register for a reimbursable account
under sections 268.042, 268.045, and 268.046 must pay a premium on the wages paid to
employees in covered employment in the same amount and manner as provided by paragraph
(a).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Employee charge back. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 177.24, subdivision 4, or
181.06, subdivision 1, employers and covered business entities may deduct up to 50 percent
of annual premiums paid under this section from employee wages. Such deductions for any
given employee must be in equal proportion to the premiums paid based on the wages of
that employee, and all employees of an employer must be subject to the same percentage
deduction. Deductions under this section must not cause an employee's wage, after the
deduction, to fall below the rate required to be paid to the worker by law, including any
applicable statute, regulation, rule, ordinance, government resolution or policy, contract, or
other legal authority, whichever rate of pay is greater.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Wages and payments subject to premium. new text end

new text begin (a) The maximum wages subject
to premium in a calendar year is equal to the maximum earnings in that year subject to the
FICA Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance tax.
new text end

new text begin (b) The maximum payment amount subject to premium in a calendar year, under
subdivision 1, paragraph (c), is equal to the maximum earnings in that year subject to the
FICA Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance tax.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Annual premium rates. new text end

new text begin The employer premium rates for the calendar year
beginning January 1, 2022, shall be as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) for employers participating in both family and medical benefit programs, 0.6 percent;
new text end

new text begin (2) for an employer participating in only the medical benefit program and with an
approved private plan for the family benefit program, 0.486 percent; and
new text end

new text begin (3) for an employer participating in only the family benefit program and with an approved
private plan for the medical benefit program, 0.114 percent.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Premium rate adjustments. new text end

new text begin (a) Each calendar year following the calendar
year beginning January 1, 2024, the commissioner must adjust the annual premium rates
using the formula in paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) To calculate the employer rates for a calendar year, the commissioner must:
new text end

new text begin (1) multiply 1.45 times the amount disbursed from the account for the 52-week period
ending September 30 of the prior year;
new text end

new text begin (2) subtract the amount in the account on that September 30 from the resulting figure;
new text end

new text begin (3) divide the resulting figure by twice the total wages in covered employment of
employees of employers without approved private plans under section 268B.10 for either
the family or medical benefit program. For employers with an approved private plan for
either the medical benefit program or the family benefit program, but not both, count only
the proportion of wages in covered employment associated with the program for which the
employer does not have an approved private plan; and
new text end

new text begin (4) round the resulting figure down to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must apportion the premium rate between the family and medical
benefit programs based on the relative proportion of expenditures for each program during
the preceding year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Deposit of premiums. new text end

new text begin All premiums collected under this section must be
deposited into the account.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Nonpayment of premiums by employer. new text end

new text begin The failure of an employer to pay
premiums does not impact the right of an employee to benefits, or any other right, under
this chapter.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 24.

new text begin [268B.13] COLLECTION OF PREMIUMS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Amount computed presumed correct. new text end

new text begin Any amount due from an
employer, as computed by the commissioner, is presumed to be correctly determined and
assessed, and the burden is upon the employer to show any error. A statement by the
commissioner of the amount due is admissible in evidence in any court or administrative
proceeding and is prima facie evidence of the facts in the statement.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Priority of payments. new text end

new text begin (a) Any payment received from an employer must be
applied in the following order:
new text end

new text begin (1) premiums due under this chapter; then
new text end

new text begin (2) interest on past due premiums; then
new text end

new text begin (3) penalties, late fees, administrative service fees, and costs.
new text end

new text begin (b) Paragraph (a) is the priority used for all payments received from an employer,
regardless of how the employer may designate the payment to be applied, except when:
new text end

new text begin (1) there is an outstanding lien and the employer designates that the payment made
should be applied to satisfy the lien;
new text end

new text begin (2) a court or administrative order directs that the payment be applied to a specific
obligation;
new text end

new text begin (3) a preexisting payment plan provides for the application of payment; or
new text end

new text begin (4) the commissioner agrees to apply the payment to a different priority.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Costs. new text end

new text begin (a) Any employer that fails to pay any amount when due under this
chapter is liable for any filing fees, recording fees, sheriff fees, costs incurred by referral
to any public or private collection agency, or litigation costs, including attorney fees, incurred
in the collection of the amounts due.
new text end

new text begin (b) If any tendered payment of any amount due is not honored when presented to a
financial institution for payment, any costs assessed to the department by the financial
institution and a fee of $25 must be assessed to the person.
new text end

new text begin (c) Costs and fees collected under this subdivision are credited to the account.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Interest on amounts past due. new text end

new text begin If any amounts due from an employer under
this chapter, except late fees, are not received on the date due, the unpaid balance bears
interest at the rate of one percent per month or any part of a month. Interest collected under
this subdivision is payable to the account.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Interest on judgments. new text end

new text begin Regardless of section 549.09, if judgment is entered
upon any past due amounts from an employer under this chapter, the unpaid judgment bears
interest at the rate specified in subdivision 4 until the date of payment.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Credit adjustments; refunds. new text end

new text begin (a) If an employer makes an application for a
credit adjustment of any amount paid under this chapter within four years of the date that
the payment was due, in a manner and format prescribed by the commissioner, and the
commissioner determines that the payment or any portion thereof was erroneous, the
commissioner must make an adjustment and issue a credit without interest. If a credit cannot
be used, the commissioner must refund, without interest, the amount erroneously paid. The
commissioner, on the commissioner's own motion, may make a credit adjustment or refund
under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any refund returned to the commissioner is considered unclaimed property under
chapter 345.
new text end

new text begin (c) If a credit adjustment or refund is denied in whole or in part, a determination of denial
must be sent to the employer by United States mail or electronic transmission. The
determination of denial is final unless an employer files an appeal within 20 calendar days
after receipt of the determination.
new text end

new text begin (d) If an employer receives a credit adjustment or refund under this section, the employer
must determine the amount of any overpayment attributable to a deduction from employee
wages under section 268B.12, subdivision 2, and return any amount erroneously deducted
to each affected employee.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Priorities under legal dissolutions or distributions. new text end

new text begin In the event of any
distribution of an employer's assets according to an order of any court, including any
receivership, assignment for benefit of creditors, adjudicated insolvency, or similar
proceeding, premiums then or thereafter due must be paid in full before all other claims
except claims for wages of not more than $1,000 per former employee that are earned within
six months of the commencement of the proceedings. In the event of an employer's
adjudication in bankruptcy under federal law, premiums then or thereafter due are entitled
to the priority provided in that law for taxes due.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 25.

new text begin [268B.14] ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
new text end

new text begin From July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, the commissioner may spend up to
seven percent of premiums collected under section 268B.13 for administration of this chapter.
Beginning January 1, 2023, and each calendar year thereafter, the commissioner may spend
up to seven percent of projected benefit payments for that calendar year for the administration
of this chapter. The department may enter into interagency agreements with the Department
of Labor and Industry, including agreements to transfer funds, subject to the limit in this
section, for the Department of Labor and Industry to fulfill its enforcement authority of this
chapter.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 26.

new text begin [268B.15] PUBLIC OUTREACH.
new text end

new text begin Beginning in fiscal year 2023, the commissioner must use at least 0.5 percent of revenue
collected under this chapter for the purpose of outreach, education, and technical assistance
for employees, employers, and self-employed individuals eligible to elect coverage under
section 268B.11. The department may enter into interagency agreements with the Department
of Labor and Industry, including agreements to transfer funds, subject to the limit in section
268B.14, to accomplish the requirements of this section. At least one-half of the amount
spent under this section must be used for grants to community-based groups.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 27.

new text begin [268B.16] APPLICANT'S FALSE REPRESENTATIONS; CONCEALMENT
OF FACTS; PENALTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Any applicant who knowingly makes a false statement or representation, knowingly
fails to disclose a material fact, or makes a false statement or representation without a
good-faith belief as to the correctness of the statement or representation in order to obtain
or in an attempt to obtain benefits may be assessed, in addition to any other penalties, an
administrative penalty of ineligibility of benefits for 13 to 104 weeks.
new text end

new text begin (b) A determination of ineligibility setting out the weeks the applicant is ineligible must
be sent to the applicant by United States mail or electronic transmission. The determination
is final unless an appeal is filed within 30 calendar days after receipt of the determination.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 28.

new text begin [268B.17] EMPLOYER MISCONDUCT; PENALTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must penalize an employer if that employer or any employee,
officer, or agent of that employer is in collusion with any applicant for the purpose of
assisting the applicant in receiving benefits fraudulently. The penalty is $500 or the amount
of benefits determined to be overpaid, whichever is greater.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must penalize an employer if that employer or any employee,
officer, or agent of that employer:
new text end

new text begin (1) made a false statement or representation knowing it to be false;
new text end

new text begin (2) made a false statement or representation without a good-faith belief as to the
correctness of the statement or representation; or
new text end

new text begin (3) knowingly failed to disclose a material fact.
new text end

new text begin (c) The penalty is the greater of $500 or 50 percent of the following resulting from the
employer's action:
new text end

new text begin (1) the amount of any overpaid benefits to an applicant;
new text end

new text begin (2) the amount of benefits not paid to an applicant that would otherwise have been paid;
or
new text end

new text begin (3) the amount of any payment required from the employer under this chapter that was
not paid.
new text end

new text begin (d) Penalties must be paid within 30 calendar days of issuance of the determination of
penalty and credited to the account.
new text end

new text begin (e) The determination of penalty is final unless the employer files an appeal within 30
calendar days after the sending of the determination of penalty to the employer by United
States mail or electronic transmission.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 29.

new text begin [268B.18] RECORDS; AUDITS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Each employer must keep true and accurate records on individuals performing services
for the employer, containing the information the commissioner may require under this
chapter. The records must be kept for a period of not less than four years in addition to the
current calendar year.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purpose of administering this chapter, the commissioner has the power to
investigate, audit, examine, or cause to be supplied or copied, any books, correspondence,
papers, records, or memoranda that are the property of, or in the possession of, an employer
or any other person at any reasonable time and as often as may be necessary.
new text end

new text begin (c) An employer or other person that refuses to allow an audit of its records by the
department or that fails to make all necessary records available for audit in the state upon
request of the commissioner may be assessed an administrative penalty of $500. The penalty
collected is credited to the account.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 30.

new text begin [268B.19] SUBPOENAS; OATHS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner or benefit judge has authority to administer oaths and affirmations,
take depositions, certify to official acts, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of
individuals and the production of documents and other personal property necessary in
connection with the administration of this chapter.
new text end

new text begin (b) Individuals subpoenaed, other than applicants or officers and employees of an
employer that is the subject of the inquiry, must be paid witness fees the same as witness
fees in civil actions in district court. The fees need not be paid in advance.
new text end

new text begin (c) The subpoena is enforceable through the district court in Ramsey County.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 31.

new text begin [268B.20] CONCILIATION SERVICES.
new text end

new text begin The Department of Labor and Industry may offer conciliation services to employers and
employees to resolve disputes concerning alleged violations of employment protections
identified in section 268B.09.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 32.

new text begin [268B.21] ANNUAL REPORTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Annually, beginning on or before December 1, 2022, the commissioner must report
to the Department of Management and Budget and the house of representatives and senate
committee chairs with jurisdiction over this chapter on program administrative expenditures
and revenue collection for the prior fiscal year, including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) total revenue raised through premium collection;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of self-employed individuals or independent contractors electing coverage
under section 268B.11 and amount of associated revenue;
new text end

new text begin (3) the number of covered business entities paying premiums under this chapter and
associated revenue;
new text end

new text begin (4) administrative expenditures including transfers to other state agencies expended in
the administration of the chapter;
new text end

new text begin (5) summary of contracted services expended in the administration of this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (6) grant amounts and recipients under section 268B.15;
new text end

new text begin (7) an accounting of required outreach expenditures;
new text end

new text begin (8) summary of private plan approvals including the number of employers and employees
covered under private plans; and
new text end

new text begin (9) adequacy and use of the private plan approval and oversight fee.
new text end

new text begin (b) Annually, beginning on or before December 1, 2023, the commissioner must publish
a publicly available report providing the following information for the previous fiscal year:
new text end

new text begin (1) total eligible claims;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number and percentage of claims attributable to each category of benefit;
new text end

new text begin (3) claimant demographics by age, gender, average weekly wage, occupation, and the
type of leave taken;
new text end

new text begin (4) the percentage of claims denied and the reasons therefor, including, but not limited
to insufficient information and ineligibility and the reason therefor;
new text end

new text begin (5) average weekly benefit amount paid for all claims and by category of benefit;
new text end

new text begin (6) changes in the benefits paid compared to previous fiscal years;
new text end

new text begin (7) processing times for initial claims processing, initial determinations, and final
decisions;
new text end

new text begin (8) average duration for cases completed; and
new text end

new text begin (9) the number of cases remaining open at the close of such year.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 33.

new text begin [268B.22] NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Each employer must post in a conspicuous place on each of its premises a workplace
notice prepared or approved by the commissioner providing notice of benefits available
under this chapter. The required workplace notice must be in English and each language
other than English which is the primary language of five or more employees or independent
contractors of that workplace, if such notice is available from the department.
new text end

new text begin (b) Each employer must issue to each employee not more than 30 days from the beginning
date of the employee's employment, or 30 days before premium collection begins, which
ever is later, the following written information provided or approved by the department in
the primary language of the employee:
new text end

new text begin (1) an explanation of the availability of family and medical leave benefits provided under
this chapter, including rights to reinstatement and continuation of health insurance;
new text end

new text begin (2) the amount of premium deductions made by the employer under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (3) the employer's premium amount and obligations under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (4) the name and mailing address of the employer;
new text end

new text begin (5) the identification number assigned to the employer by the department;
new text end

new text begin (6) instructions on how to file a claim for family and medical leave benefits;
new text end

new text begin (7) the mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number of the department; and
new text end

new text begin (8) any other information required by the department.
new text end

new text begin Delivery is made when an employee provides written acknowledgment of receipt of the
information, or signs a statement indicating the employee's refusal to sign such
acknowledgment.
new text end

new text begin (c) Each employer shall provide to each independent contractor with whom it contracts,
at the time such contract is made or, for existing contracts, within 30 days of the effective
date of this section, the following written information provided or approved by the department
in the self-employed individual's primary language:
new text end

new text begin (1) the address and telephone number of the department; and
new text end

new text begin (2) any other information required by the department.
new text end

new text begin (d) An employer that fails to comply with this subsection may be issued, for a first
violation, a civil penalty of $50 per employee and per independent contractor with whom
it has contracted, and for each subsequent violation, a civil penalty of $300 per employee
or self-employed individual with whom it has contracted. The employer shall have the
burden of demonstrating compliance with this section.
new text end

new text begin (e) Employer notice to an employee under this section may be provided in paper or
electronic format. For notice provided in electronic format only, the employer must provide
employee access to an employer-owner computer during an employee's regular working
hours to review and print required notices.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 34.

new text begin [268B.23] RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LEAVE; CONSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Concurrent leave. new text end

new text begin An employer may require leave taken under this
chapter to run concurrently with leave taken for the same purpose under section 181.941
or the Family and Medical Leave Act, United States Code, title 29, sections 2601 to 2654,
as amended.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Construction. new text end

new text begin Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to:
new text end

new text begin (1) allow an employer to compel an employee to exhaust accumulated sick, vacation,
or personal time before or while taking leave under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (2) prohibit an employer from providing additional benefits, including, but not limited
to, covering the portion of earnings not provided under this chapter during periods of leave
covered under this chapter; or
new text end

new text begin (3) limit the parties to a collective bargaining agreement from bargaining and agreeing
with respect to leave benefits and related procedures and employee protections that meet
or exceed, and do not otherwise conflict with, the minimum standards and requirements in
this chapter.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 35.

new text begin [268B.24] SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Employers with 50 or fewer employees may apply to the department for grants under
this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may approve a grant of up to $3,000 if the employer hires a
temporary worker to replace an employee on family or medical leave for a period of seven
days or more.
new text end

new text begin (c) For an employee's family or medical leave, the commissioner may approve a grant
of up to $1,000 as reimbursement for significant additional wage-related costs due to the
employee's leave.
new text end

new text begin (d) To be eligible for consideration for a grant under this section, the employer must
provide the department written documentation showing the temporary worker hired or
significant wage-related costs incurred are due to an employee's use of leave under this
chapter.
new text end

new text begin (e) The grants under this section may be funded from the account.
new text end

new text begin (f) For the purposes of this section, the commissioner shall average the number of
employees reported by an employer over the last four completed calendar quarters to
determine the size of the employer.
new text end

new text begin (g) An employer who has an approved private plan is not eligible to receive a grant under
this section.
new text end

new text begin (h) The commissioner may award grants under this section only up to a maximum of
$5,000,000 per calendar year.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 36. new text begin FAMILY AND MEDICAL BENEFITS; APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $10,828,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic development for the purposes of Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 268B. The general fund base amount for fiscal year 2022 is $18,275,000
and for fiscal year 2023 is $14,662,000 and for fiscal year 2024 is $15,376,000. The general
fund base amount in fiscal year 2025 and beyond is $11,715,000.
new text end

new text begin (b) $630,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of employment and economic development for the purpose of outreach, education, and
technical assistance for employees and employers regarding Minnesota Statutes, chapter
268B. Of the amount appropriated, at least half must be used for grants to community-based
groups providing outreach, education, and technical assistance for employees, employers,
and self-employed individuals regarding Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268B. This outreach
must include efforts to notify self-employed individuals of their ability to elect coverage
under Minnesota Statutes, section 268B.11, and provide them with technical assistance in
doing so. The general fund base amount for fiscal year 2023 and beyond is $630,000.
new text end

new text begin (c) $528,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of labor and industry for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268B. The general
fund base amount for fiscal year 2022 is $518,000 and for fiscal year 2023 is $468,000 and
for fiscal year 2024 is $618,000.
new text end

new text begin (d) $574,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of human services for information technology system costs associated with Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 268B.
new text end

new text begin (e) $28,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of management and budget for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268B. The
general fund base amount for fiscal year 2022 is $93,000 and for fiscal year 2023 is $21,000.
new text end

new text begin (f) $20,000 in fiscal year is appropriated to the supreme court for judicial responsibilities
associated with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268B. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2020.
new text end

Sec. 37. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums in this section are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of education in the fiscal year designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Paraprofessional training. new text end

new text begin For compensation associated with paid orientation
and professional development for paraprofessionals under Minnesota Statutes, section
125A.08:
new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin ....... new text end

new text begin ..... new text end

new text begin 2021 new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Nonlicensed school personnel. new text end

new text begin For increasing the minimum starting salary for
nonlicensed personnel to $15 per hour.
new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin ....... new text end

new text begin ..... new text end

new text begin 2021 new text end

Sec. 38. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION.
new text end

new text begin Benefits under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268B, shall not be applied for or paid until
July 1, 2023, and thereafter.
new text end