Says Transformational Measure will Allow Paid Time Off to Care For a Newborn, Sick Family Member, or to Recover from illness
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) said today that the Senate DFL Majority has passed – and sent to the Governor – the state’s first-ever Paid Family and Medical Leave bill to give Minnesotans up to 12 weeks of paid time off to care a newborn, a sick family member or to recover from a serious illness. The measure passed along party lines 34 to 32.
Majority Leader Dziedzic said the bill, authored by Sen. Alice Mann (DFL-Edina), will give Minnesotans needed time off, while also allowing them to pay the rent, cover their bills, or meet other essential needs.
“No Minnesotan should be forced to choose between a paycheck and taking care of themselves or an ill family member,” said Majority Leader Dziedzic.. “That’s why the Senate DFL majority made Paid Family and Medical Leave program a priority this year. This legislation has been carefully crafted, with input from business groups, stakeholders, and individual Minnesotans from across the state, to make sure that our program works and doesn’t leave people out in the cold. For years, Minnesotans have told us they want Paid Family and Medical Leave, and today we delivered just that. I want to thank Senator Mann for her work to get this bill over the finish line this year. Her work will improve the lives of Minnesotans for decades to come. I also want to thank Senator Erin Maye Quade for presenting the bill today.”
“Across the country, states have implemented and benefited from a Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Today, this transformational bill to implement a statewide PFML program passed and will put Minnesota on track to becoming the twelfth state to implement paid leave,” said Sen. Mann. “This bill creates a safety net for workers, leading to increased business productivity, higher employee morale, better recruitment and retention of skilled workers, and reduction of costs from employee turnover. This life-changing policy will improve lives and support people during their most vulnerable times, whether you are recovering at home from emergency surgery, bonding with a child after birth, or taking care of a loved one after an accident. This bill will ensure that no Minnesotan will have to choose between sacrificing a paycheck and the welfare of their loved ones.”
The Paid Family and Medical Leave program will allow Minnesotans to receive up to 12 weeks of benefits relating to serious health conditions or pregnancy; and up to 12 weeks for the benefits for bonding, safety leave, qualifying exigency, or family care. If a worker seeks to use both types of leave in a single year, their total amount of benefits would be capped at 20 weeks.
The measure has also passed the House and will be sent to Governor Walz soon to be signed into law.
###
Learn more about Sen. Dziedzic.
Read more news from Sen. Dziedzic.
