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, but only if the employer chooses to provide 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 this definition.

In subdivision 6, the definition of "Employer" is also revised to indicate that it refers to 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 opt-in rather than being required 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