What happened in the 2023 session? A business guide to new law changes

Oct 16, 2023

Keeping you informed on new law changes impacting businesses

The Minnesota Chamber is pleased to offer valuable information to our members and community business leaders. We have received many, many questions from our members about what happened during this legislative session, and we’re here to help you make sense of how it’s going to impact your business. The purpose of this information is to provide an overview of policies and laws and equip business leaders with an understanding of compliance requirements and upcoming changes.

Check back for further updates as they become available!

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT?

Tax and Cost Increases

Many of the proposals that became law in the 2023 legislative session increase costs for your business and your employees. Read further to better understand which costs will increase and how they will impact you.

Business Compliance and Regulations

The 2023 legislative session brought many new regulations on business practices, from how employers run their benefits to mandating the benefits they offer.

This guide is for Minnesota Chamber members only. If you wish to become a member or have questions about membership in the Minnesota Chamber, click here.

DOWNLOAD THE COST AND COMPLIANCE GUIDE FOR FULL DETAILS

Quick Menu

Timeline of new law implementation
2023 Legislative Voting Record
On-demand webinar: Summary of legislative session
On-demand webinar: Overview of labor law changes
On-demand webinar: DEED on paid leave and new resources
On-demand webinar: Ban on noncompetes
On-demand webinar: Legalization of marijuana
On-demand webinar: Updating workspaces to accommodate employees
On-demand webinar: Banning PFAS
On-demand webinar: Earned sick and safe time

Timeline of new law implementation

View timeline

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2023 Legislative Voting Record

See how your legislators voted on top business issues

Click here

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What happened this session? A webinar of the statewide policy tour

This year, the Legislature passed more policies impacting businesses than in the previous decade. What do these new laws mean for your business? What are the next steps in encouraging lawmakers to make Minnesota an attractive, competitive place for business and talent? Throughout June, the Chamber hosted a series of tours throughout the state. The below on-demand webinar is a digital version of that presentation from the Minnesota Chamber's policy team.

This on-demand webinar is for Minnesota Chamber members only. If you wish to become a member or have questions about membership in the Minnesota Chamber, click here.

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Overview of labor law changes

Featuring: Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach

After a busy Session that caused a host of new regulations, the Chamber recorded this webinar with Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner, Nicole Blissenbach. This session delves into the intricacies of the recent transformations in labor laws, discussing multiple new policies that are of vital importance to employers. Offering invaluable knowledge to help stay compliant, the Minnesota Chamber equips businesses with necessary information to adapt and thrive in a changing labor landscape.

This on-demand webinar is for Minnesota Chamber members only. If you wish to become a member or have questions about membership in the Minnesota Chamber, click here.

Webinar topic guide:

Earned sick and safe time (4:39)
Paid family and medical leave (16:21)
Lactating employees, pregnancy accommodations and unpaid leave (20:36)
Restrictive franchise agreements prohibited (28:02)
Workplace veterans’ poster (31:13)
Construction Worker Wage Protection Act (32:42)
Packinghouse Workers Bill of Rights (35:49)
Recruitment in food processing employment (36:50)
Migrant Labor Law (37:53)
Ergonomics program (39:21)
Safe workplaces for meat and poultry processing workers (47:29)
Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board (50:10)
Warehouse worker safety (51:58)
Minnesota OSHA policy and technical (53:39)
OSHA federal penalty conformity (56:50)
New requirements DLI does not enforce (59:34)

Additional resources

2023 legislative changes impacting the work of DLI: dli.mn.gov/business/codes-and-laws/laws-and-rules
Sick and Safe Time homepage: dli.mn.gov/sick-leave
Women’s Economic Security Act homepage: dli.mn.gov/newparents
MDH’s related Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces designation page: www.health.state.mn.us/people/breastfeeding/recognition/index.html
DEED’s Paid Family and Medical Leave homepage: https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/paid-family/
Office of Cannabis Management: https://cannabis.state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Human Rights: https://mn.gov/mdhr/employers/
MNOSHA compliance: Warehouse workers: https://www.dli.mn.gov/about-department/rulemaking/mnosha-compliance-warehouse-workers
Minnesota Department of Human Rights | Pay history ban: https://mn.gov/mdhr/employers/pay-history-ban/
Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) changes; new employee notice required: https://www.dli.mn.gov/newparents

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DEED on paid leave, new resources available

Featuring: DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek

In this webinar, the brand new commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) cover a variety topics – from new resource opportunities for business and workforce grants and the expected timeline of their availability to key information about the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program – all within the oversight of DEED. This webinar is brought to you by the Chamber’s Grow Minnesota! program.

This on-demand webinar is for Minnesota Chamber members only. If you wish to become a member or have questions about membership in the Minnesota Chamber, click here.

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Ban on noncompetes

Speaker Chris Ruska from Nilan Johnson will provide an expert's perspective on the new restrictions around noncompete agreements. The webinar discusses the implications and nuances of a potential ban on these agreements, helping businesses navigate these complex legal changes, while assessing how to protect intellectual property.

This on-demand webinar is for Minnesota Chamber members only. If you wish to become a member or have questions about membership in the Minnesota Chamber, click here.

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Legalization of marijuana

During the 2023 legislative session, policymakers legalized the recreational adult use of marijuana. The legalization date of August 1 is quickly approaching and it’s important for employers to be prepared for the potential impact on the workplace. To help prepare your business and your workforce, the Minnesota Chamber hosted with David James, a labor and employment attorney from Nilan Johnson Lewis. Get your questions answered on how to best prepare your workplace for this fast-approaching law change.

This on-demand webinar is for Minnesota Chamber members only. If you wish to become a member or have questions about membership in the Minnesota Chamber, click here.

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UPDATING WORKSPACES TO ACCOMMODATE EMPLOYEES

This session provides actionable insights on new regulations requiring workplaces to provide new accommodations for employees, including lactation spaces and break times for lactating employees, ergonomics standards for distribution centers and meatpacking or poultry processing sites. Tune in and find out from Katie Connolly of Nilan Johnson Lewis about how to update your workplaces to comply.

This on-demand webinar is for Minnesota Chamber members only. If you wish to become a member or have questions about membership in the Minnesota Chamber, click here.

Additional resources

Adult-Sized Changing Facilities:

Lactation and Pregnancy Accommodations:

Ergonomics

https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/workplace-safety-and-health/safety-grant-program-ergonomics

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Banning PFAS

The Legislature took the far-reaching step of moving toward a complete ban on PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) this session. There are several steps along the timeline from new reporting requirements to full ban in 2032. Tune into this webinar and hear from experts which items are impacted by these new regulations, which industries are exempted and how it might impact your supply chain and business.

This on-demand webinar is for Minnesota Chamber members only. If you wish to become a member or have questions about membership in the Minnesota Chamber, click here.

Additional resources

PFAS information from the MPCA

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Earned sick and safe time

Join us for a live webinar on one of the largest compliance changes in the state’s legislative history, led by Courtney Blanchard from Nilan Johnson Lewis. This interactive session will discuss the essential facets of the recently passed mandated sick and safe time requirements. Don't miss this opportunity to understand the latest regulations and strategies for implementing and managing these brand-new policies in your organization.

This on-demand webinar is for Minnesota Chamber members only. If you wish to become a member or have questions about membership in the Minnesota Chamber, click here.