Two new paid leave mandates, that would impact businesses small and large, are currently making their way through the legislative process at the Capitol in St. Paul. Each of the following proposals has been heard in multiple committees in each legislative chamber.
House File 2/Senate File 2 would create a brand new paid family and medical leave program that would create a new payroll tax for both employers and employees. These monies would go to the state government in order to oversee the new program that would allow for employees to take up to 24 weeks of leave from work in order to take care of a newborn or adopted child, a sick family member, and more. The new program would collect over $1 billion in new taxes and is expected to need 200-400 new state employees to function. Employers would have the opportunity to opt out of the program if they met certain requirements.
House File 19/Senate File 34 would establish earned sick and safe time requirements for employees who work more than 80 hours a week for an employer. The bill requires employers to maintain specific records in a specific format, or risk significant fines and liabilities.
Both of these proposals have significant costs, compliance and operational implications to businesses and employees around the state. Housing First Minnesota is expressing these concerns with legislators and is working with other business organizations to try to reduce the burdens these new programs would create.
