Updates for Employers Using Private Plans to Comply with Minnesota's Paid Leave Law
Minnesota is one of a dozen states that have enacted a statewide program providing compensation to employees during family and medical leaves. Minnesota’s law provides job protection and payment of benefits through a state-run insurance program to qualifying employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave for family and/or medical reasons (or a combined total of up to 20 weeks of leave if the employee qualifies for both types of leave in one benefit year) (“the Paid Leave Law”) . The insurance program will be funded through employer and employee contributions beginning on January 1, 2026. Employees can also begin applying for compensation beginning on January 1, 2026 . Recently, the Division outlined how employers can use self-insured plans or plans from an insurance carrier to comply with the Paid Leave Law. Th e Division refers to insurance plans providing coverage for Minnesota’s Paid Leave law as “Equivalent Plans.” Equivalent Plans must allow for the same, or more...