The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 268.085, subdivision 13b, to modify the eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits for applicants involved in a labor dispute. It specifies that an applicant who has stopped working due to a labor dispute at their place of employment is not eligible for unemployment benefits under this subdivision. The previous provisions that outlined specific conditions under which an applicant would be ineligible based on their participation or interest in the labor dispute have been removed. Instead, the bill clarifies that an applicant is not considered to have quit or been discharged from their employment at the time the labor dispute began, nor are they considered to be on a leave of absence or suspended.

Additionally, the bill introduces new language stating that an applicant who is discharged during an active labor dispute is considered discharged at the time the discharge occurred, subject to section 268.095. This change aims to provide clearer guidelines regarding the status of employment for individuals involved in labor disputes and their eligibility for unemployment benefits. The definition of "labor dispute" remains consistent with the existing statute.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 268.085