Says Senator Alice Mann’s Transformational Bill Will Allow Paid Time Off To Care For Newborns, Sick Family Members, or to Recover from illness
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) said today that Governor Walz has signed into law 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 the Senate last week along party lines with every DFLer voting for it.
Majority Leader Dziedzic said the bill, authored by Senator 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.
“This is a great day for working Minnesotans. Nobody in our state should be forced to choose between a paycheck and taking care of themselves or an ill family member,” said Majority Leader Dziedzic.. “Paid Family and Medical Leave was a top priority for the Senate DFL caucus and its enactment has now become reality for Minnesota’s working family. I want to thank the bill’s chief Senate author, Sen. Alice Mann, for carefully crafting this measure and including input from a great many stakeholders across the state. I also want to thank Senator Erin Maye Quade of Apple Valley for stepping up to present the bill on the Senate floor when Senator Mann became seriously ill and was not able to present the bill. Minnesotans told us they want Paid Family and Medical Leave, and today – with the Governor’s signature – we have finally delivered just that.”
The Paid Family and Medical Leave program would 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.
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