HF1671 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Labor and industry; policy and technical changes made.
Related bill: SF2149
AI Generated Summary
This bill, Minnesota House File No. 1671, proposes various changes to labor and industry policies, including wage protections for employees with disabilities, updates to internet continuing education course requirements, and modifications to electrical licensing and inspection exemptions. Key provisions include:
Minimum Wage for Employees with Disabilities:
- Employers are prohibited from hiring new employees with disabilities at a subminimum wage starting August 1, 2026.
- By August 1, 2028, all employees with disabilities must be paid at least the highest applicable minimum wage, regardless of special certificates under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
Changes to Wage Enforcement:
- Updates procedures for the commissioner to take legal action against employers violating wage laws.
Continuing Education Regulations:
- Internet-based continuing education courses must meet new accreditation requirements.
- Sets standards for online course features, interactivity, security, and student authentication.
Updates to Electrical Licensing and Exemptions:
- Revises definitions and exemptions related to technology circuits and low-voltage systems.
- Clarifies when certain workers, including maintenance electricians and employees of utilities, can perform work without needing a state-issued electrical license.
Repealing Subminimum Wage Rules:
- Removes existing state statutes (Minnesota Statutes 177.28, Subdivision 5) and administrative rules (Minnesota Rules 5200.0030 and 5200.0040) that permitted paying disabled workers less than minimum wage under specific conditions.
The bill aligns with broader national efforts to phase out subminimum wages for disabled workers and modernizes continuing education and licensing requirements in various trades.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 26, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy |
| February 26, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy |
| March 25, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added | |
| March 26, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to | Judiciary Finance and Civil Law |
| April 06, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to | Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Relates to civil actions by the commissioner to ensure compliance with labor laws.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the civil actions that the commissioner may undertake in district court to require compliance with orders under subdivision 4."
]
},
"citation": "177.27",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Concerns the approval process of internet continuing education courses.",
"modified": [
"Specifies the organizations that can approve internet continuing education courses and the requirements for course approval."
]
},
"citation": "326B.0981",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines technology circuits or systems as used in related statutory sections.",
"modified": [
"Updates the definition and applications of technology circuits or systems, including compliance with the National Electrical Code."
]
},
"citation": "326B.31",
"subdivision": "subdivision 29"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Details exemptions from licensing requirements for certain electrical work.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the licensing exemptions for various professionals involved in electrical maintenance."
]
},
"citation": "326B.33",
"subdivision": "subdivision 21"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addresses exemptions from electrical inspections for specified installations.",
"modified": [
"Details installations and scenarios that are exempt from inspection requirements under specified conditions."
]
},
"citation": "326B.36",
"subdivision": "subdivision 7"
}
]