The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, specifically section 181.9445, to make employer participation in earned sick and safe time benefits permissive rather than mandatory. In subdivision 5, the definition of "Employee" is expanded to include temporary and part-time employees, provided that the employer chooses to offer benefits under the specified sections. Additionally, the bill clarifies that certain individuals, such as independent contractors, volunteer firefighters, and those employed by farmers for limited periods, are excluded from the definition of "Employee."

In subdivision 6, the definition of "Employer" is also modified to indicate that it includes any person with one or more employees that the person chooses to provide benefits for under the relevant sections. This change emphasizes the permissive nature of the benefits, allowing employers to decide whether to offer them. The bill retains existing definitions and clarifications regarding various types of employers, including individual providers and staffing agencies, while excluding the United States government from the definition of "Employer."

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 181.9445