Minnesota Clarifies Sick Leave, Meal and Rest Break Requirements

Minnesota is making several changes to its earned safe and sick time law and meal and rest breaks law, under a bill mostly effective Jan. 1, 2026.

SF 17 also modifies the state’s family-leave insurance law by capping the maximum tax rate for employers in any given year at 1.1%, lowered from 1.2%. When the program goes into effect in 2026, the rate will be 0.88% for employers.

Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed SF 17 into law on June 14.

Meal and Rest Breaks

Rest breaks must be at least 15 minutes for every four consecutive hours of work, and ...