Beginning January 1, 2026, Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave law takes effect. The new law provides job protections and partial wage replacement to employees who take leave for a qualifying condition. As part of the law, employers must provide notifications to employees and display the “Minnesota Paid Leave” poster in the workplace by December 1st.
What is MN Paid Leave
Minnesota’s legislature passed the Paid Family and Medical Leave law, also known as MN Paid Leave, which will take effect on January 1, 2026.
The Basics of MN Paid Leave include:
- Job-protected leave and partial wage replacement for qualifying medical and family events
- Medical leave to care for an employee’s own serious health condition
- Family leave for time off to bond with a new child, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, for military exigency, and to address safety concerns related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
- Benefits are paid by the state and funded by employer and employee contributions
- An employee can take up to 12 weeks of medical leave or 12 weeks of family leave per benefit year
- Both medical and family leave can be taken in a single 12-month period, but total leave cannot exceed 20 weeks
Employer Notice Requirements:
To inform employees of their rights under the law, Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has provided a required workplace poster that employers are required to display. In addition to the “Minnesota Paid Leave” poster, employers must also distribute written information to employees about Paid Leave benefits. Employees must acknowledge receipt of the information. Both notice requirements must be met by December 1, 2025.
Upcoming Deadlines
By December 1, 2025
- Post the “Minnesota Paid Leave” notice in a conspicuous location
- Provide written notice about MN Paid Leave to all employees – DEED is expected to provide a model notice soon – and obtain acknowledgment that employees have received the information.
By January 1, 2026
- MN Paid Leave program officially takes effect. Employers can begin deducting premiums from employees’ paychecks. Employees may start claiming benefits.
By April 30, 2026
- The first premium payments for MN Paid Leave are due.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Employers who fail to comply with MN Paid Leave posting requirements may face a civil penalty of $50 per employee for a first violation and $300 for each subsequent violation. Although these penalties may not take effect until 2027, it’s good business practice to ensure that employees are aware of their rights under the new law.
Preparation Checklist for Minnesota Employers
To be ready for the new MN Paid Leave program, employers should:
- Obtain the Minnesota Paid Leave Poster
Get the official poster now to meet the December 1st - Update Employee Handbooks/Leave Policies
Insert the new paid leave information into your employee handbooks and new-hire packets. - Train Management
Educate HR and supervisors about the MN Paid Leave, specifically how to respond when employees request leave. - Coordinate with Payroll
Make sure payroll systems are ready to deduct and remit employee and employer premiums starting January 1, 2026. - Monitor for Updates
MN Paid Leave is a new program. Regulations and poster versions may change. Subscribe to a trusted Labor Law Poster Replacement Service to ensure you receive all required labor law posters to stay in full compliance easily.
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How 
Can Help You
Managing ongoing poster updates and labor law changes can be overwhelming. We provide trusted compliance solutions that include:
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Labor Law Center, an OutSolve Company, is committed to being your partner in workplace labor law compliance. Contact us today to discover why thousands of businesses, of all sizes, place their trust in our labor law compliance solutions.
