Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

This bill clarifies when college and university employees in Minnesota can use past wages to qualify for unemployment benefits during breaks between academic terms. It allows wage credits to be used if there is no reasonable assurance of returning to work, but restricts this for instructional, research, or administrative staff unless they have a written job offer or a contract guaranteeing 50% pay if rehiring doesn't occur. The law also defines which types of employment count as reasonable assurance and specifies that on-call work is treated differently than regular employment. These changes apply to employees at schools, colleges, universities, and related educational service agencies starting July 1, 2026.

SF 708 prohibits Minnesotans convicted of crimes related to protests, demonstrations, rallies, civil unrest, or marches from receiving state assistance. The bill makes such individuals ineligible for state loans, grants, or aid programs including college financial aid, housing assistance, food benefits (SNAP), unemployment benefits, business grants, and medical assistance. It applies to crimes committed on or after the effective date (the day after final enactment) and covers all state assistance programs listed in the bill. The law directly affects people convicted of offenses during these events, not protesters generally. This is a policy change to deny state aid based on specific criminal convictions related to public assemblies.

HF 2996 modifies Minnesota's unemployment insurance rules by tightening the definition of "available for suitable employment." It requires applicants to be ready to accept work immediately if their current schedule (like regular classes) prevents it, unless they can change their schedule. The bill also states applicants absent from their local job market for personal reasons (not job searching) or with work-hour restrictions beyond typical job requirements are ineligible. This directly affects unemployment benefit applicants who have scheduling conflicts, personal absences, or restricted availability. The changes aim to clarify eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits under Minnesota Statutes 268.085.

This bill (SF 3053) modifies Minnesota's definition of "available for suitable employment" for unemployment benefit eligibility under Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 268.085, subdivision 15. It requires applicants to be genuinely ready, willing, and able to accept suitable work without self-imposed restrictions (e.g., refusing night shifts if daytime work is available) or circumstances preventing job acceptance. Specifically, students must show they cannot adjust class schedules to take a job, and applicants absent from their local labor market for personal reasons (not job searching) lose eligibility. The change directly affects individuals applying for unemployment benefits who may face scheduling conflicts or work-hour limitations.