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HF1671 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Labor and industry; policy and technical changes made.

Related bill: SF2149

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes changes to Minnesota labor and industry laws, focusing on wage protections for employees with disabilities, modifications to technical requirements for continuing education, and exemptions from licensing and inspections in certain electrical work contexts.

Key Provisions:

  1. Elimination of Subminimum Wages for Workers with Disabilities:

    • As of August 1, 2026, employers may not hire new employees with disabilities at a wage lower than the highest applicable minimum wage, regardless of whether they have a special certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor under Section 14(c) of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
    • By August 1, 2028, all employees with disabilities must be paid at least the minimum wage, ending the use of special wage certificates.

  2. Civil Actions for Wage Violations:

    • The commissioner of labor may take legal action in district court to enforce wage laws and seek compliance.

  3. Approval Process for Internet-Based Continuing Education:

    • Specifies requirements for online continuing education (e.g., encryption security, student authentication, technical support, and evaluation criteria).
    • Establishes different approval authorities for specific professions.

  4. Updates to Electrical Licensing Exemptions:

    • Clarifies who is exempt from holding a license for certain electrical and technology systems work.
    • Exempts specific groups, including:
      • Maintenance electricians performing work on employer-owned property.
      • Utility, communication, and railway workers conducting work for their organizations.
      • Homeowners doing electrical work in their own residences.
      • Elevator contractors and workers performing related work.

  5. Exemptions from Electrical Inspections:

    • Specifies industrial, utility, and communication installations that are not subject to state inspection requirements.

  6. Repeal of Subminimum Wage Rules for Disabled Workers:

    • Eliminates rules that previously allowed certain employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage under special permits.
    • Repeals rules requiring workers with disabilities to be paid based on performance evaluations and limiting the number of disabled workers who could be employed at subminimum wages.

Summary:

This bill primarily aims to eliminate subminimum wages for workers with disabilities, refine continuing education requirements, and adjust licensing exemptions for electricians. It strengthens worker protections while making technical updates to labor and industry regulations in Minnesota.

Bill text versions

Past committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toWorkforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
March 25, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
March 26, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification of court locations where the commissioner can bring actions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section allows the commissioner to enforce compliance with orders through civil actions in district court.",
      "modified": [
        "Expanded on the types of court orders that can be sought by the commissioner."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "177.27"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines technology circuits or systems as including Class 2 or Class 3 circuits and related systems.",
      "modified": [
        "Updated references to align with the National Electrical Code."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "326B.31"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Section 326B.33 deals with licensing exemptions related to electrical work.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified the types of employers and situations exempt from licensing requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "326B.33"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Discusses exemptions from inspections for certain installations.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified conditions under which equipment is not subject to inspection."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "326B.36"
  }
]

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