The Minnesota Paid Family Leave Act (MPLA) was enacted in 2023 with employer deadlines quickly approaching. This landmark legislation provides paid time off for a variety of personal and family-related reasons, including personal safety. Employers must submit wage detail reports for the MPLA on October 31, 2024.
Types of Leave Under MPLA
The MPLA introduces two primary types of leave designed to support employees during critical times:
- Family Leave: Family leave under the MPLA allows employees to take time off to care for a family member with a serious health condition or to bond with a new baby or child. This provision helps employees be present for their loved ones without the worry of job security or financial strain.
- Medical Leave: Medical leave provides support when an employee’s own serious health condition prevents them from working. This allows employees to focus on recovery and well-being without the added stress of financial instability.
Additionally, the MPLA includes provisions for:
- Supporting a family member called to active military duty.
- Addressing significant personal safety issues, including domestic violence.
How Much Leave is Available?
Starting January 1, 2026, eligible employees can take the following leave under the MPLA:
- Family Leave: Up to 12 weeks per benefit year.
- Medical Leave: Up to 12 weeks per benefit year.
Employees who use both family and medical leave in a single benefit year can take a maximum of 20 weeks of leave. The benefit year begins on the first day the employee takes MPLA leave after it is implemented in 2026.
Which Employers Must Participate?
All employers in Minnesota, regardless of size, must participate in the MPLA program, with a few exceptions.
Job Protection and Anti-Retaliation Provisions
The MPLA provides strong job protection. Employees returning from family or medical leave must be reinstated to their original position or an equivalent one with the same pay, benefits, and seniority. It also prohibits any form of retaliation against employees for taking leave under this act.
What Employers Need to Do Now
Key Steps for Employers:
- File Wage Detail Reports: Employers must submit wage detail reports to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (MN DEED). The first report is due by October 31, 2024, through the MN Unemployment Insurance Employer Account site. The MPLA reporting system will align with the Unemployment Insurance (UI) system for convenience. Employers with employees not covered by UI may need to create an account to submit wage details by the October 31, 2024, deadline.
- The MPLA defines “wage” under the same definition as the UI program.
- Employee Payroll Deductions: Begin payroll deductions on January 1, 2026.
- Submit First Premiums: Submit the first premiums to the State of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development by April 30, 2026. These premiums will cover wages earned from January 1, 2026, to March 31, 2026.
If you have any questions or need assistance with MPLA compliance, don’t hesitate to contact our experts. We are here to guide you through every step of the MPLA implementation timeline.