SF 779

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 08/25/2015 01:04pm

A bill for an act
relating to employment; requiring an analysis and report on a Minnesota paid
family and medical leave program; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin MECHANISMS AND COSTS: MINNESOTA PAID FAMILY AND
MEDICAL LEAVE PROGRAM.
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new text begin The Department of Employment and Economic Development, in collaboration with
the Departments of Labor and Industry and Health and Human Services, shall report
on the most efficient and effective mechanisms and associated costs for the design and
delivery of a statewide broad-based insurance program that would provide partial wage
replacement for workers taking parental, family, or medical leave.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin FAMILY LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM; ANALYSIS.
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new text begin (a) The Department of Employment and Economic Development, in consultation
with the Departments of Labor and Industry, Health and Human Services, shall conduct
an analysis of various options for the delivery of the family and medical leave insurance
program and their associated costs and benefits. This analysis shall include:
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new text begin (1) an evaluation of mechanisms for:
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new text begin (i) the determination of eligibility;
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new text begin (ii) the collection of employer and employee contributions;
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new text begin (iii) the processing and payment of claims; and
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new text begin (iv) an effective enforcement of the program and the protection of employees who
use or seek to use family or medical leaves pursuant to the program;
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new text begin (2) an estimated timeline for implementation of the various mechanisms and
approaches evaluated under clause (1);
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new text begin (3) separate cost estimates for each of the following types of leave:
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new text begin (i) parental leave;
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new text begin (ii) leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition, family leave;
and
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new text begin (iii) medical leave; and
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new text begin (4) options and associated mechanisms for financing the program including, but not
limited to, a premium assessed on employers and employees.
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new text begin (b) In conducting this analysis, the department shall:
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new text begin (1) utilize the expertise of relevant state agencies to take advantage of existing
systems, to minimize start-up costs, and to maximize use of existing agency systems
and programs and avoid redundancy; and
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new text begin (2) build on the experiences of other states and agencies with existing or proposed
paid family and medical leave programs at the state and federal level.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 3. new text begin REPORTS.
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new text begin By December 15, 2015, the commissioner of employment and economic
development shall report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over labor, jobs,
and health and human services on the results of its analysis under section 2.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of employment and economic development for purposes of implementing sections 1 to
3. This appropriation is available until January 30, 2016.
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