Minnesota Paid Leave Launches Next Month

(Photo by Getty Images via Minnesota Reformer)

(Minnesota Reformer) – Minnesota on Jan. 1 will become the 13th state to launch its own state-run paid family and medical leave program.

Paid leave grants Minnesota workers up to 12 weeks of family leave and 12 weeks of medical leave per year, capped at 20 weeks in a single year. Employers and workers will pay into a fund through a payroll tax, and wages are determined by a wage-based formula — the maximum a person on leave can receive is $1,423 per week.

Most people will start to see a payroll tax deduction in their paychecks beginning in January. The rate for the first year is 0.88%, which will be split between employers and their employees. Most workers will pay half, or 44 cents for every $100 in taxable wages.

Minnesota is planning to open up applications for baby bonding leave prior to the Jan. 1 launch date to allow parents to get their paid leave applications in early. The Department of Employment and Economic Development said applications will open in early December