MINNEAPOLIS (GRAY) – Minnesota leaders gathered at Marty’s Deli in Minneapolis Tuesday to tout the upcoming launch of the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

According to Matt Varilek, Commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development, certain Minnesotans will soon be able to apply for leave.

“[Wednesday], any eligible Minnesota parent that welcomed a child in 2025 will be able to apply for leave to be used in 2026,” said Varilek.

The applicants will be able to use their leave when the program goes live on January 1st, 2026.

The new program will allow all Minnesotans to take up to 12 weeks of time off per eligible instance. If an employer provides a private plan, they can still opt to provide it to employees as long as it meets or exceeds the stat

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