Overview
- Starting Dec. 3, eligible Minnesotans who had or adopted a child in 2025 can apply for up to 12 weeks of bonding leave to be taken in 2026.
- The statewide program begins Jan. 1, 2026, offering up to 12 weeks of family leave and 12 weeks of medical leave per year, capped at 20 weeks, with partial wage replacement up to about $1,400 per week.
- The program is funded by a 0.88% payroll premium split evenly between employers and employees, with reduced rates for small employers.
- DEED says it has run more than a month of beta tests and built multi-layer identity and need checks; officials expect about 5,000 early parental claims in December and roughly 132,000 applications in 2026.
- Employers must provide required notices, register, and begin payroll deductions on Jan. 1 unless they have an approved equivalent plan, with first-quarter wage reports and premium payments due April 30, 2026.