Minnesota

Minnesota Menstruation Work Act

Bill

Giving paid time off during menstruation pilot program.

Purpose

Minnesota is home to over 3 million women. Every other human in the North Star State goes through the menstrual cycle roughly every month. Meaning, every other worker in the Minnesota work force must go through menstruation, during which certain tasks may yield excessive paid, bleeding, and/or discomfort, while other times the effects may result in the need for days off. The purpose of this bill is to push for these changes in Minnesota.

Paid Time Off Requirements: 

• All eligible are entitled to 1 day a month off with paid leave

• If needed, all eligible are entitled to 2 extra days off. Employers must pay the state minimum wage of $11.41 an hour, updated yearly. 

• All eligible must be able to take leave without fear of repercussions

• All eligible must be able to take leave easily, without account of race and ethnicity.

• If an employer practices unfairly, they may face fines, pulling of funding, etc.

Work benefits:

• All eligible that choose to work must be exempt from work that is deemed unfit (e.g. lifting heavy weights) 

• All eligible that choose to work must be able to decline work deemed unfit, as defined as work that may cause excessive pain, bleeding, or discomfort. 

• All eligible that choose to work must be able to decline work without fear of repercussions.

Healthcare benefits: 

• Insurance providers must identify menstrual checkups, visits, surgeries, etc as necessary. 

• Employers must allow medical leave to be used towards menstrual checkups, visits, surgeries, etc.