Minnesota Paid Leave

Starting January 1, 2026, Minnesota’s Paid Leave program will require employers to provide paid leave to employees working in Minnesota. Paid Leave benefits will be calculated based on an employee’s weekly pay. Your job is protected while on Paid Leave if you have been in your current role for at least 90 days.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development allows for two types of leave under the program:

• Up to 12 weeks of Medical Leave (for yourself) to take care of yourself for a serious health condition, including pregnancy, childbirth, recovery, or surgery.
• Up to 12 weeks of Family Leave (to care for someone else) to:
  • Bond with a new child through birth, adoption, or foster placement
  • Care for a loved one with a serious health condition
  • Support a military family member called to active duty
  • Respond to certain personal safety issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or similar issues.

You can take both types of leave in the same year, either all at once or intermittently, but you cannot exceed 20 weeks total within a benefit year. Your benefit year does not follow the typical calendar year–it starts the first day you take Paid Leave.

Like the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a healthcare provider or authorized professional must certify the need for leave and the duration.

Paid Leave coverage is very broad. You are likely covered if you:

1. Work at least 50% of the time from a location in Minnesota. This includes employees who work from home in Minnesota or spend some time working in other states. However, you are not covered by Paid Leave if you work more than 50 percent of your time in a different state.
2. Earned at least 5.3% of the state's average annual wage (about $3,700) in the past year.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development created tools and resources to help you:

• Estimated Payment Calculator
• MN Paid Leave Overview PDF
• Frequently Asked Questions