Minneslate Logo

HF4110 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Rest break and meal break requirements adjusted under certain circumstances.

Related bill: SF4333

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

To adjust Minnesota labor rules so certain workers can be exempt from some rest break and meal break requirements in specific situations. The bill keeps basic protections by requiring access to a restroom and a meal during working hours, even when an exemption applies.

Main Provisions

  • Rest break exemptions (Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 177.253, added Subdivision 4a):
    • Exemption applies when:
    • The employee is the only worker at that time and location and is performing a service that protects or sustains life.
    • The employee is the only worker at that time and location and is working with a vulnerable adult (as defined by law).
    • The employee is working during an emergency response.
    • Even if an exemption applies, the employee must still be allowed time to use the restroom while working.
  • Meal break exemptions (Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 177.254, added Subdivision 5):
    • Exemption applies in the same three situations listed above (life-sustaining service, working with a vulnerable adult, emergency response).
    • Even if an exemption applies, the employee must still be allowed time to eat a meal while working.

What Changes Compared to Current Law

  • Adds explicit exemptions to the general rest break and meal break rules when the worker is the sole employee at the site during life-sustaining work, care of a vulnerable adult, or an emergency response.
  • Maintains fundamental worker protections by guaranteeing restroom access and meal time during the shift, even when exemptions apply.

Potential Implications

  • For workers in solo-service roles, health care, elder care, or emergency response, this could change how often breaks are taken, depending on location and timing.
  • Employers must still ensure access to a restroom and meal opportunities, even in exempt situations.

Definitions and References Brought Up by the Bill

  • Rest break
  • Meal break
  • Exemption
  • Only employee working
  • Life-sustaining service
  • Vulnerable adult (as defined by statute)
  • Emergency response

Relevant Terms - rest break - meal break - exemptions - only employee working - life-sustaining service - vulnerable adult - emergency response - time to use the restroom - time to eat a meal - Minnesota Statutes 177.253 - Minnesota Statutes 177.254

Bill text versions

Upcoming committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 09, 2026HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHuman Services Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Subd.4.Exemptions defining scenarios where rest break requirements do not apply: (1) when the employee is the only employee working at that time and location and is providing a service that protects or sustains life; (2) when the employee is the only employee working at that time and location and is working with a vulnerable adult as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 21; (3) during an emergency response."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill adds a new Subdivision 4 (Exemptions) to Minnesota Statutes section 177.253, clarifying exemptions to rest and meal break requirements in specific circumstances.",
      "modified": [
        "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 177.253 amended by adding Subd.4."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "177.253",
    "subdivision": "Subd.4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Subd.5.Exemptions mirroring Subd.4: exemptions when the employee is the only employee working at that time and location and is providing a service that protects or sustains life; when the employee is the only employee working at that time and location and is working with a vulnerable adult as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 21; during an emergency response."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill adds a new Subdivision 5 (Exemptions) to Minnesota Statutes section 177.254, providing rest and meal break exemptions in corresponding circumstances to Subd.4.",
      "modified": [
        "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 177.254 amended by adding Subd.5."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "177.254",
    "subdivision": "Subd.5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references the existing definition of a vulnerable adult in Minnesota Statutes, section 626.5572, subdivision 21, to be used in the exemptions created for 177.253 and 177.254.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "626.5572",
    "subdivision": "Subd.21"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

Loading…