The North Star State
New Laws for Minnesota
January 2026
Major changes to employment, voting, outdoor recreation, and more take effect January 1st
20
Weeks Paid Leave
$11.41
New Minimum Wage
15
Min Rest Break (Minutes)
13th
State with PFML
Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)
Minnesota becomes the 13th state in the nation to implement a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program. This landmark legislation provides wage replacement benefits to eligible workers during significant life events.
Leave Benefits
- Medical Leave: Up to 12 weeks for personal serious health conditions
- Family Leave: Up to 12 weeks for bonding with a new child, caring for family members, or safety issues
- Combined Maximum: Up to 20 weeks total per benefit year
- Leave Type: Continuous or intermittent
Wage Replacement
- Payment Range: 55% to 90% of regular wages
- Maximum Benefit: $1,423 per week (state average wage)
- Eligibility: Must have earned at least $3,900 in prior year
- Paid By: State of Minnesota (not employer)
💰 Premium Rates for 2026
Total premium rate: 0.88% of employee wages | Employer share: at least 50% (0.44%) | Employee share: up to 50% (0.44%) | Small employers (30 or fewer employees) qualify for reduced rate of 0.66%
⚠️ Who Is NOT Covered
Federal employees, tribal employees, seasonal hospitality workers, independent contractors, self-employed workers, postal workers, and railroad employees
Source: Minnesota Paid Leave | MN Dept. of Labor and Industry
New Meal & Rest Break Standards
Minnesota is replacing vague language with clear, enforceable minimums for employee breaks. The law changes from “adequate time” and “sufficient time” to specific requirements.
15
Minute Paid Rest Break
Required for every 4 consecutive hours worked
(or time to use nearest restroom, whichever is longer)
30
Minute Unpaid Meal Break
Required when working 6 or more consecutive hours
Minimum Wage Increase
State Minimum Wage
$11.41
↑ 2.5% increase
Training Wage (Under 20)
$9.31
First 90 days
Minneapolis & St. Paul
$16.37
Large employers
Earned Sick & Safe Time (ESST) Update
Starting January 1, 2026, employers may request documentation for sick leave absences after 2 consecutive days (previously 3 days). Additionally, employers can now advance a pro-rated number of ESST hours and top-up if they underestimate.
Source: Lexology
Absentee Ballot Changes
With absentee voting accounting for approximately 40% of ballots in the 2024 election, Minnesota is updating requirements to reduce voter confusion when returning ballots.
🗳️ New Requirements for Online Absentee Ballot Requests
Applicants must now provide BOTH:
- Minnesota driver’s license OR state ID card number
- Last four digits of Social Security Number
Previously, only one or the other was required. Applicants may certify if they do not possess these numbers.
📬 New Disclosure Requirements
Any person or entity mailing absentee ballot applications or sample ballots must include this visible statement:
“This mailing is not an official election communication from a unit of government. This [absentee ballot application or sample ballot] has not been included at the request of a government official.”
Source: WDIO | MN House of Representatives
Vulnerable Adult Financial Exploitation Protection
Reports of vulnerable adult maltreatment rose 20% from 2021 to 2024, with financial exploitation allegations increasing 22% during the same period. This new law provides faster court intervention to protect victims.
🛡️ New Protections
- Courts can issue orders for protection against financial exploitation
- Filing fees waived for both parties
- Court hearing within 14 days of petition
- Temporary ex parte orders available
⚖️ Available Relief
- Prohibit direct or indirect contact with the vulnerable adult
- Freeze victim’s assets and lines of credit
- Injunctive relief and other equitable remedies
- Victims maintain access to funds for living expenses
Business Identity Theft Protection
Minnesota is among the first states to offer identity theft protection for businesses. The Secretary of State’s office now has authority to investigate and overturn fraudulent business filings.
📋 Business Identity Recovery Process
- Victims can file a Declaration of Wrongful Filing with the Secretary of State
- Office sends notice to affected parties
- If no response within 21 days, complaint is accepted
- Fraudulent filings can be removed or redacted from records
- Free process for victims
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State
Outdoor Recreation Changes
🦌 Shotgun Zone Repealed
The “shotgun zone” that restricted deer hunters to using only shotguns, muzzleloaders, and handguns in southern Minnesota has been repealed. Hunters statewide can now use all legal firearms during regular firearms season, unless a county in the former zone adopts a local ordinance restricting their use.
🚤 Watercraft Surcharge Increase
The annual watercraft surcharge for invasive species control is increasing from $10.60 to between $14 and $62, depending on boat size, type, and use. Funds support efforts against zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and other aquatic invasive species.
New Watercraft Surcharge Examples:
$14
Nonprofit teaching boats
$20
Sailboats ≤19 ft
$25
Personal watercraft
$50
Dealer watercraft
Source: MN House of Representatives | FOX 9
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Key Dates to Remember
January 1, 2026
All new laws take effect
January 1, 2026
PFML payroll deductions begin
April 30, 2026
First PFML premium payment due
📚 Official Sources & Resources
Last Updated: December 2025 | Information compiled from official Minnesota state sources
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
