Minnesota Session Laws - 2009, Regular Session

CHAPTER 69--S.F.No. 1431

An act

relating to employment; regulating the deduction from wages of unreimbursed expenses;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 177.24, subdivisions 4, 5.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 177.24, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Unreimbursed expenses deducted.

Deductions, direct or indirect, from wages or gratuities not authorized by this subdivision may only be taken as authorized by sections 177.28, subdivision 3, 181.06, and 181.79. Deductions, direct or indirect, for up to the full cost of the uniform or equipment as listed below, may not exceed $50 new text begin or, if a motor vehicle dealer licensed under section 168.27 furnishes uniforms or clothing described in clause (1) on an ongoing basis, may not exceed the lesser of 50 percent of the dealer's reasonable expense or $25 per month, including nonhome maintenance new text end . No deductions, direct or indirect, may be made for the items listed below which when subtracted from wages would reduce the wages below the minimum wage:

(1) purchased or rented uniforms or specially designed clothing required by the employer, by the nature of the employment, or by statute as a condition of employment, which is not generally appropriate for use except in that employment;

(2) purchased or rented equipment used in employment, except tools of a trade, a motor vehicle, or any other equipment which may be used outside the employment;

(3) consumable supplies required in the course of that employment;

(4) travel expenses in the course of employment except those incurred in traveling to and from the employee's residence and place of employment.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 177.24, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Expense reimbursement.

An employer, at the termination of an employee's employment, must reimburse the full amount deducted, directly or indirectly, for any of the items listed in subdivision 4 new text begin , except for a motor vehicle dealer's rental and maintenance deduction for uniforms or clothing new text end . When reimbursement is made, the employer may require the employee to surrender any existing items for which the employer provided reimbursement.

Presented to the governor May 8, 2009

Signed by the governor May 12, 2009, 4:47 p.m.