1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to unemployment; modifying dates for certain COVID-19-related 
1.3 	unemployment provisions;amending Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, sections 
1.4 	20; 21; 22; 23.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 20, is amended to read:
1.7 	Sec. 20. SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
 1.8 	(a) Notwithstanding the definition of "suitable employment" provided in Minnesota 
1.9 	Statutes, section 268.035, subdivision 23a, for an applicant applying for unemployment 
1.10 	insurance benefits between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, employment is not 
1.11 	suitable under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.035, subdivision 23a, paragraphs (a) and 
1.12 	(b), if:
1.13 	(1) the employment puts the health and safety of the applicant at risk due to potential 
1.14 	exposure of the applicant to COVID-19; or
1.15 	(2) the employment puts the health and safety of other workers and the general public 
1.16 	at risk due to potential exposure of the other workers and the general public to COVID-19.
1.17 	(b) Notwithstanding Executive Order 20-05, as extended, amended, and otherwise 
1.18 	modified by Executive Order 20-29 and Executive Order 20-102, the exception under this 
1.19 	section expires on December 31, 2020.

1.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from December 30, 2020.

2.1 	Sec. 2. Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 21, is amended to read:
2.2 	Sec. 21. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ONE-WEEK WAITING PERIOD.
 2.3 	Notwithstanding Executive Order 20-05, as extended, amended, and otherwise modified 
2.4 	by Executive Order 20-29 and Executive Order 20-102, and Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.5 	268.085, subdivision 1, the one-week nonpayable waiting period to receive unemployment 
2.6 	benefits is waived for applicants for unemployment insurance benefit accounts established 
2.7 	between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020 October 1, 2021.

2.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.9 	Sec. 3. Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 22, is amended to read:
2.10 	Sec. 22. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF FIVE-WEEK BUSINESS OWNER 
2.11 	BENEFIT LIMITATION.
 2.12 	Notwithstanding Executive Order 20-05, as extended, amended, and otherwise modified 
2.13 	by Executive Order 20-29 and Executive Order 20-102, and Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.14 	268.085, subdivision 9, the five-week limitation for receipt of unemployment benefits for 
2.15 	business owners is suspended for applicants for unemployment insurance benefit accounts 
2.16 	established between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020 October 1, 2021.

2.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.18 	Sec. 4. Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 23, is amended to read:
2.19 	Sec. 23. LEAVE OF ABSENCE DUE TO COVID-19.
 2.20 	Notwithstanding Executive Order 20-05, as extended, amended, and otherwise modified 
2.21 	by Executive Order 20-29 and Executive Order 20-102, and Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.22 	268.085, subdivision 13a, for an applicant applying for an unemployment insurance benefits 
2.23 	account established between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020 October 1, 2021, a 
2.24 	leave of absence is presumed to be an involuntary leave of absence and not ineligible if:
2.25 	(1) a determination has been made by health authorities or by a health care professional 
2.26 	that the presence of the applicant in the workplace would jeopardize the health of others, 
2.27 	whether or not the applicant has actually contracted a communicable disease;
2.28 	(2) a quarantine or isolation order has been issued to the applicant pursuant to Minnesota 
2.29 	Statutes, sections 144.419 to 144.4196;
3.1 	(3) there is a recommendation from health authorities or from a health care professional 
3.2 	that the applicant should self-isolate or self-quarantine due to elevated risk from COVID-19 
3.3 	due to being immunocompromised;
3.4 	(4) the applicant has been instructed by the applicant's employer not to come to the 
3.5 	employer's place of business due to an outbreak of a communicable disease; or
3.6 	(5) the applicant has received a notification from a school district, day care, or other 
3.7 	child care provider that either (i) classes are canceled, or (ii) the applicant's ordinary child 
3.8 	care is unavailable, provided that the applicant made reasonable effort to obtain other child 
3.9 	care and requested time off or other accommodation from the employer and no reasonable 
3.10 	accommodation was available.

3.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.