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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Does Minnesota’s new paid leave program let all employees take 20 weeks off each year?

Nikita Vashisth, MinnPost
no

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, most, but not all employees in Minnesota can access up to 20 weeks of subsidized time off each benefit year under the state’s new paid leave program, assuming they have a qualifying reason. 

Federal and railroad employees, along with postal workers are not covered. Independent contractors and self-employed individuals are excluded by default but may opt in.  

Workers can take up to 12 weeks each of medical or family leave, but not more than 20 weeks combined in a single benefit year, which starts on the first day of the leave.

The program provides partial wage replacement, not full pay. Benefits are funded through a 0.88% payroll tax shared by employers and employees, with weekly payments capped at $1,423.  

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill during the 2023 legislative session citing higher costs, taxes and workforce challenges. 

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