St. Paul, Minnesota — Today the House of Representatives passed the Women’s Economic Security Act omnibus bill (HF 2536). State Representatives John Ward (DFL – Baxter) and Joe Radinovich (DFL – Crosby) voted in favor of the bill.
Even as Minnesota’s economy continues to improve, barriers like high costs for childcare and the pay gap between men and women doing similar work continue to put a drag on the economy. The Women’s Economic Security Act, chief authored by Rep. Carly Melin (DFL – Hibbing), removes those kinds of barriers, helping to fuel Minnesota’s positive economic momentum and make sure more Minnesotans share in the benefits of the recovery.
“When you dig underneath the first layer of economic challenges facing Minnesotans, we find that it is disproportionately women facing barriers to economic security,” said Rep. Ward. “Women make up 50 percent of Minnesota’s workforce, but 60 percent of women earn $9.50 or less, and while women earn a majority of college degrees, they are still clustered in low-wage fields. When women in Minnesota succeed, we grow our middle class and Minnesota prospers.”
“In our state, women earn just 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. We shouldn’t stand for that in Minnesota,” said Rep. Radinovich. “Women deserve equal pay for equal work. This bill is a testament to the great work of women leaders in our communities and the Legislature.”
The omnibus package that passed out of the House today includes bills that would:
Allow mothers to stay in the workforce by expanding family leave and providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees
· HF 2371: Expands unpaid leave under the Minnesota Parental Leave Act from 6 to 12 weeks and allows use of leave under the Parental Leave Act for pregnancy-related needs. It also requires employers with more than 21 employees to provide reasonable minor accommodations (seating, limits to heavy lifting) for pregnant workers.
· HF 2259: Provides enforcement of workplace protections for nursing mothers to express breast milk during unpaid break times.
Expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare
· Removes the $5,000 cap on early learning scholarships.
Decrease the gender pay gap through the participation of women in high-wage, high-demand nontraditional work
· HF 2291: Expands support for employers; workforce organizations; and others to recruit, prepare, place and retain women in nontraditional occupations and apprenticeships, especially low income and older women.
· HF 2243: Supports the development of high economic impact women-owned businesses in nontraditional industries.
Reduce the gender pay gap through increased enforcement of equal pay laws for state contractors and by allowing employees to discuss pay inequities
· HF 2373: Requires businesses with more than 50 employees seeking state contracts over $500,000 to ensure compliance with existing equal pay laws. Businesses must state that average compensation for female employees is not consistently below average compensation for male employees within similar major job categories.
· HF 2274: Allows employees to voluntarily discuss their compensation without fear of retaliation from their employers.
Decrease the gender pay gap by providing equal employment opportunities for family caregivers and reducing the “motherhood penalty”
· HF 2300: Requires equal employment treatment regardless of “family caregiver status” or “familial status.”
· HF 2461: Allows grandparents to use existing earned sick leave to care for an ill or injured grandchild.
Address economic consequences of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault
· HF 2366: Expands unemployment insurance eligibility currently available to victims of domestic violence to include victims of stalking and sexual assault.
·HF 2461: Allows employees to use existing earned sick leave to deal with sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking.
Enhance retirement security by considering a state retirement savings plan for those without an employer-provided option
· HF 2419 : Requires a report from Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) on the potential for a state-administered plan for workers without access to workplace retirement savings plans; along with other alternative private sector options.
Similar legislation is currently moving through the Minnesota State Senate.
Reps. Ward and Radinovich encourage constituents to contact them with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Ward can be reached by phone at 651-296-4333 or by email at rep.john.ward@house.mn. Rep. Radinovich can be reach by phone at 651-296-2365 or email at rep.joe.radinovich@house.mn.