St. Paul, Minnesota — Today the House of Representatives passed the conference committee report on 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 report. The bill is one more vote in the Senate away from heading to Governor Dayton for his signature.
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.
“The many barriers that women face are holding back them and their families, and hurting our economy,” said Rep. Ward. “This bill aims to break down those barriers to economic progress and ensure that every Minnesotan has the opportunity to succeed.”
“This bill is a testament to the great work of women leaders in our communities and the Legislature,” said Rep. Radinovich. “Women deserve equal pay and they deserve workplace protections. When women succeed our state succeeds.”
The omnibus package that passed out of the House today includes bills that would:
Allows mothers to stay in the workforce by expanding family leave and providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees
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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.
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Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to an employee for health conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth if she so requests, with the advice of her licensed health care provider or certified doula, unless the employer demonstrates that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer's business.
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Requires employers to provide reasonable unpaid break time each day to an employee who needs to express breast milk for her infant child. The break time must, if possible, run concurrently with any break time already provided to the employee. An employer is not required to provide break time if it would unduly disrupt the operations of the employer.
Decreases the gender pay gap through the participation of women in high-wage, high-demand occupations in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
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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.
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Supports the development of high economic impact women-owned businesses in nontraditional industries.
Reduces the gender pay gap through increased enforcement of equal pay laws for state contractors and by allowing employees to discuss pay inequities
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Requires private sector businesses with 40 or more employees seeking state contracts over $500,000 to certify no pay gaps exist between employee classes as defined in the EEO-1 Report (formally known as the "Employer Information Report"), a government form requiring many employers to provide a count of their employees by job category and then by ethnicity, race and gender.
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Allows employees to voluntarily discuss their compensation without fear of retaliation from their employers.
Decreases the gender pay gap by reducing the “motherhood penalty”
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Requires equal employment treatment regardless of “familial status” (Pregnant women and parents and legal guardians of children under 18 who live with them).
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Allows grandparents to use existing earned sick leave to care for an ill or injured grandchild.
Addresses negative economic consequences of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault
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Expands unemployment insurance eligibility currently available to victims of domestic violence to include victims of stalking and sexual assault.
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Allows employees to use existing earned sick leave to recover from sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking.
Enhances retirement security by considering a state retirement savings plan for those without an employer-provided option
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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.
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.