FARGO (KFGO) – Paid family and medical leave for workers in Minnesota is closer to becoming law after the Senate passed their version of the bill this week.
The House passed their version of the bill earlier this month. A House-Senate conference committee will now work out details on a final version to send to Gov. Tim Walz who has said he will sign it.
The legislation would create an insurance-like system to allow workers to collect up to 12 weeks of partial wages when they take medical leave, including for pregnancy, and up to 12 weeks to take care of family members, starting in 2025. Replacement wages would range from 55% to 90%, averaging 66%. The benefits would be funded by a 0.7% payroll tax. Employers could charge half that expense to employees. Companies offering more generous benefits than the state requires could opt out.
President and CEO of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce Shannon Full joined Tyler Axness on Afternoons Live to discuss the complexities of the bill. She said she’s concerned about things like the cost – which she is concerned will make it difficult for businesses in border cities to compete – the length of leave, and the definition of family.
“The House File bill was 20 weeks. That’s the one that’s been adopted by the Senate and the one they’ll go back in conference committee and talk about,” Full said. “20 weeks. So, 12 weeks, plus an 8-week stackable component to that. That is very concerning when you have an employee that could be out for 20 weeks.”
Another concern Full mentions is the definition of family. She said the language used in the bill calls for “the individual selected by the incapacitated person.”
“If my best friend needs medical support, she could request that of me and I have no relation to her, but I could serve as her family support and be that,” Full said.
Full said the Chamber is willing to work on solutions and amendments to help make sure Minnesota stays competitive with surrounding states.
Moorhead Sen. Rob Kupec is a member of the conference committee that will meet Friday.
Listen to the full interview here:
