A new year is here and some new laws take effect in Minnesota. New laws or revisions or changes to existing laws often go into effect on January 1st. There are several new laws that residents need to know about in Minnesota.
Consumer Protection Laws
Two new laws importantly deal with consumer protections. A new law, effective January 1, 2025, provides a ban on junk fees. Junk fees are additional undisclosed costs that are often associated with the purchase of goods or services. The new legislation bans junk fees and sellers must disclose the entire purchase price to consumers. All fees must be included in the price offered to buyers.
Another similar law addresses the costs of tickets. Tickets, such as for concerts or sporting events, must now include all fees and costs in the total amount. In the past, consumers often were surprised after they purchased tickets only to learn that there were a number of fees and other costs tacked on to the sale price. The new law requires sellers to provide consumers with “all-in pricing,” which includes any additional fees that may have previously been hidden until after a sale.
Change to Gun Laws
A new law, effective in 2025, bans binary triggers. A binary trigger is a modification that allows the gun to fire one shot with the pull of a trigger and another shot automatically with the release of the trigger. The binary trigger essentially provides for faster bullet release. With the new law, gun owners are no longer allowed to own a firearm with a binary trigger modification.
Employment Laws
Several new laws impacting employment go into place in 2025. Employers must review their policies and make any changes necessary to comply with the new laws.
Minimum wage – The minimum wage for workers in Minnesota increased to $11.13 per hour in 2025. Employers may pay employees under the age of 20 training wages of $9.08 per hour for training. The training period is not to exceed 90 days.
Earned sick pay and PTO – Personal time off (PTO) is required to meet the same ESST (earned sick and safe time) requirements as the minimum amount of sick and safe time. Additionally, employers are now required to provide employees with their amount of accrued sick and personal time and the amount used with each pay period.
Employment listings – Employers with 30 or more employees must now include a salary range in a job posting. In addition to a salary range, the listing must also include a description of benefits along with any additional compensation information that applies to the position.
In addition to these employment laws, Minnesota is set to implement a new Paid Family and Medical Leave program in 2026. The program is designed to provide paid time off work for someone who is caring for an ill family member or caring for a new baby. The program also allows paid time off for a personal illness.
To learn more, contact us today at Moen Sheehan Meyer, Ltd. at (608) 784-8310 or online to schedule a consultation.