Very recently the Minnesota legislature and Gov. Tim Walz have passed two major laws that will substantively impact all Minnesota employers.
First, recreational marijuana is now legal effective July 1, 2023.
Secondly, the separate Omnibus Jobs bill contains two of the most significant new features of these laws. It will require employers to provide paid sick and safe time to all Minnesota employees, effective at the beginning January 1, 2024. Beginning January 1, 2026, employers will be required to provide paid family leave to all employees as well.
Thirdly, the Omnibus law outlaws noncompete agreements, expands protections for nursing mothers and provides new pregnancy accommodation requirements. Also, parental leave has been expanded for all employees in Minnesota. These changes are all effective July 1, 2023.
One other change was enacted, but will almost certainly receive major legal challenges. It is the ban on employers from holding mandatory employer-sponsored captive audience meetings during labor organizing attempts.
