Paid Family and Medical Leave Coming to Minnesota in 2026
The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to keeping our members informed on policy changes that impact employers and employees alike.
Beginning January 1, 2026, Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program will take effect. This statewide benefit will provide income replacement for workers needing time away from work for major life events—such as welcoming a new child, recovering from a serious illness, or caring for a loved one.
We will continue to monitor updates and share resources to help our business community prepare for implementation.
Click here to join our update list and be notified about future events and resources.
What accounts will I need as an employer for Paid Leave?
As an employer, you will need accounts with both Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Minnesota Paid Leave to meet your responsibilities under Paid Leave. These accounts will allow you to report wage details, pay premiums, review leave applications, and more. They will make it easier to support your employees during important times in their lives.
Here’s how these two accounts will work together.
UI account:
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- Report quarterly wage details
- Pay Paid Leave premiums
- Designate a Paid Leave Administrator
Paid Leave Administrator account:
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- Review leave applications
- View Paid Leave determinations
- Request an Equivalent Plan Exemption
The below links will take you directly to the Minnesota Paid Leave Website
When do I need to take action to be ready for Paid Leave?
Today, employers should make sure they are set up with their UI accounts so they can submit wage detail reports each quarter.
Soon, employers will be able to request an equivalent plan if they want one, apply for certain positions to be designated as exempt seasonal hospitality work, or opt into the program if they are self-employed.
By December 1, 2025, employers need to notify employees about the program with a workplace poster and individual notice.
In 2026, employers will begin to collect and pay premiums and review leave applications from their employees.
Paid Leave hosts a regular monthly webinar series to help Minnesotans understand how Paid Leave will work and how it may benefit you or your organization. Paid Leave also hosts webinars on specific topics, like one last month on employer accounts and responsibilities under Paid Leave. Can’t make it to a webinar? Recordings from past events are available the website: Public engagement events / Minnesota Paid Leave
Next webinar:
Intro to Paid Leave
📆 Thursday July 10, 2025
⌚12:00pm-1:00pm CT