SF 4480

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 04/17/2020 07:54am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; establishing a process to safely reopen
businesses during a peacetime emergency.

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

Section 1. new text begin OPTIONAL BUSINESS SUBMISSION FOR SAFE OPERATION DURING
PEACETIME EMERGENCY.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin In order to return the economy of this state to a prepandemic
level where possible, any business affected by an executive order during a peacetime
emergency may choose to submit to the commissioner a plan to conduct business in a manner
that will ensure the safety of its workers and the general public during a peacetime public
health emergency period. Any business submitting such a plan may qualify to reopen the
affected business during a peacetime emergency pursuant to this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given them.
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new text begin (b) "Business" means a business that due to an executive order or orders issued during
a peacetime public health emergency period was required to either significantly reduce
operation of the business or cease all operation of the business during the effective period
of the executive order or orders.
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new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
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new text begin (d) "Department" means the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
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new text begin (e) "Peacetime public health emergency period" means the duration of any peacetime
emergency declared by the governor in an executive order that relates to COVID-19, but
ending no later than January 31, 2021.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall develop an application for businesses to
submit a plan for safe operation during a peacetime emergency according to this section.
The application shall be made available in an easily accessible format on the department's
website.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Plan requirements. new text end

new text begin A business seeking to operate during a peacetime emergency
shall submit to the commissioner a plan for safe operation that includes the following:
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new text begin (1) a proposal to minimize, or eliminate if possible, physical interactions among staff
and with and between customers;
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new text begin (2) a strategy to ensure appropriate health, hygiene, and safety measures are in place in
work areas;
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new text begin (3) the rationale as to the level of business activity that may be conducted based on
clauses (1) and (2); and
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new text begin (4) any other information that the business determines may assist the commissioner in
making a determination regarding the safe operation of the business.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Approval to operate. new text end

new text begin (a) Within three business days of the date the
commissioner receives an application and plan under subdivisions 3 and 4, the commissioner
shall issue or deny an approval to operate under this section.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner must provide written communication regarding incompleteness
to a business as soon as practicable after the business submits a plan for safe operation
application specifying any missing information in the application.
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new text begin (c) In issuing a denial, the commissioner shall specify the reason or reasons for the
denial, including any information that would result in an approval of the plan if resubmitted.
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new text begin (d) A business receiving approval for safe operation must post the approval issued by
the commissioner in a conspicuous place that is easily visible to the public or on the website
of the business.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Enforcement. new text end

new text begin A business approval for operation is conditional on adherence
to the plan submitted by the business for safe operation during a peacetime emergency. The
commissioner may revoke the approval to operate a business if the business is found to be
in breach of the approved plan for safe operation submitted by the business.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end