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Dear Neighbors, 

As a member of the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee, I was proud to protect workers’ rights and help pass the Minnesota’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program into law. 

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The U.S. is the only developed country in the world that doesn’t guarantee some form of paid leave, forcing most workers to make impossible choices between a paycheck and caring for a new child, an aging parent, or their own serious health condition. *But in Minnesota, that’s about to change with the launch of Paid Leave on January 1, 2026. *As we prepare for Paid Leave to take effect, I want to share a bit about the basics of the new law, how it impacts you, and how to use it when it goes live. 

Paid Leave – which DFLers in the Legislature and Governor Walz passed in 2023 – provides partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave for your own serious health condition, including pregnancy and recovery. It also provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a new child, a seriously ill loved one, or for certain military or safety-related events. If using both medical and family leave, workers can use up to a total of 20 weeks annually. A short video explaining the basics of how it works is available here: 

The program will have a small cost but offer powerful benefits. The premium rate for 2026 will be 0.88%, with employers responsible for at least half. If the employer chooses to split the premium with the employee, each will pay 0.44%. For an employee earning the average annual income, this amounts to about $6 per week each for the worker and the employer. 

From a technical standpoint, Paid Leave is built on Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance system, using already proven technology instead of a new system to help ensure a smooth rollout on day one. The program was built with the input from businesses, with employer feedback being incorporated, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has been engaging with businesses across the state to help them prepare for the launch. Input and feedback from businesses will be continually collected and the program will be refined and strengthened so it runs smoothly and stays reliable. Importantly, Paid Leave will level the playing field for small businesses that have wanted to offer this benefit so they can better compete to attract talent, but haven’t been able to do so in a sustainable way. 

DEED has developed helpful toolkits with resources for workers and businesses alike. The toolkit for workers [ [link removed] ] can help you find out if you’re eligible for coverage, when Paid Leave can be used, how much time you can take, how you’ll be compensated, and more. The toolkit for businesses [ [link removed] ] includes info about upcoming public engagement events, information on premium rates and contributions, equivalent plans for Paid Leave, and other FAQs. 

This isn’t a new concept – twelve other states and the District of Columbia currently offer Paid Family and Medical Leave. Despite Republicans trying to weaken, delay, and repeal this hard-fought progress before families could even benefit from it, DFLers succeeded in protecting this hard-fought win for middle-class Minnesotans. 

For many Minnesotans, missing a single paycheck means the difference between staying above water and facing dire financial challenges, and that’s particularly true considering the affordability crisis we’re facing now, with prices rising for just about everything in our daily lives. Paid Leave is one major step to provide some relief, ensuring you’ll no longer have to risk your economic security to look after yourself, care for a newborn, or tend to a loved one. 

This program has truly been years in the making, and I’m so excited for families in our community and throughout Minnesota to finally have peace of mind. As we get closer to the program’s rollout, I encourage you to check out all of the resources available at pl.mn.gov [ [link removed] ]. 

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Keep in Touch

Please contact my office if you have any questions about the launch of Paid Leave. It is important to me that you understand your rights and the benefits available to you and your loved ones. 

Sincerely, 

Rep. Samakab Hussein 

Minnesota State Representative (65A) 






Representative Samakab Hussein

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-5158
Email: [email protected] 
Website: www.house.mn.gov/65A [ [link removed] ]

Legislative Assistant: [email protected]







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