As you know, Minnesota is introducing a new Paid Leave law effective January 1, 2026.
This program will allow employees to take up to twelve weeks of paid leave for their own serious health condition and an additional twelve weeks for bonding, safety leave, family care, or other qualifying reasons, with a maximum of twenty weeks in a single benefit year. Employers may participate in the state plan or offer an equivalent private plan that meets or exceeds state coverage.
To prepare for implementation, Minnesota has released official notice templates (see the “Required poster and notices” section on the linked web page) that employers must provide to employees by December 1, 2025. These notices differ based on whether the employer uses the state plan, an approved private plan, or operates in seasonal and hospitality industries. Employers designating seasonal employees must notify them of ineligibility for benefits at the time of hire or by November 1, 2025.
In addition, the state has issued a Paid Leave workplace poster, which must be displayed in a common area alongside other required employment posters by the same deadline. Employers using the state plan are encouraged to include the sample notice in their employee handbooks, while those with private plans should obtain notices from their providers and update handbook content accordingly.
Employers considering a private plan should submit applications by November 10, 2025, to ensure approval before the program launches. Premium deductions may begin on January 1, 2026, when benefits become available, and the first premium payments to the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will be due by April 30, 2026, based on wages paid between January 1 and March 31, 2026. Employers who have not yet decided whether to participate in the state plan should begin requesting quotes from private insurers as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
You can access the Minnesota Paid Leave FAQ for more information.