Earned sick and safe time modification

Minnesota's SF 2605 modifies the state's earned sick and safe time law, primarily delaying penalties for initial employer violations until January 1, 2026. The bill clarifies that employers with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees must provide sick time at half the employee's hourly rate, while new businesses may choose to offer paid time off during their first year. It also refines who qualifies as an "employee" (excluding many part-time, seasonal, and farm workers) and expands the definition of "family member" for leave purposes. The core policy remains unchanged: employees accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30-40 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours annually. This bill directly affects Minnesota employers and their covered employees, with the main new provision being the delayed enforcement of penalties.