SF3407

SF3407 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Workers' Compensation Advisory Council recommendations adoption

Related bill: HF3228

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to make amendments to the existing workers' compensation laws in Minnesota, which are based on recommendations from the Workers Compensation Advisory Council. These changes are designed to clarify and expand the definition of "employee" for the purposes of workers' compensation coverage.

Main Provisions

Expansion of Definition: The bill updates the legal definition of "employee" to include various categories of workers, ensuring more comprehensive workers' compensation coverage.
Inclusion of Volunteer Workers: It specifies that volunteer and uncompensated workers in different sectors, such as emergency management, the building and construction industries, and various public service roles, are considered employees for compensation purposes.
Clarification of Wage Calculations: The bill provides guidelines for calculating compensation by establishing that the daily wages of voluntary workers for compensation purposes are determined by the usual wage for similar services performed by paid employees.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Inclusion of Volunteers as Employees: There is a significant move to recognize voluntary and unpaid workers in numerous roles under the definition of employees when it comes to workers' compensation, which broadens the scope of coverage.
Specification of Exclusions: The law explicitly states that farmers and their family members who exchange work with other farmers are not considered employees under this chapter.

Relevant Terms

Workers' Compensation
Voluntary Workers
Employee Definition
Compensation Calculation
Unpaid Workers
Volunteer Services

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
April 21, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
April 21, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
April 21, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Labor

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes new categories of voluntary uncompensated workers."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Excludes farmers or members of their family who exchange work with other farmers in the same community."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the definition of 'Employee' under section 176.011, subdivision 9 concerning workers' compensation eligibility.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies calculation methods for daily wage for compensation purposes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "176.011",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 9"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill amends exceptions to the workers’ compensation coverage requirement under section 176.041, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Modifies language regarding executive officers of a corporation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "176.041",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendment to the provision on medical services under section 176.135, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts the procedures or responsibilities for providing medical treatment through workers' compensation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "176.135",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends statute of limitations on workers' compensation claims under section 176.151.",
      "modified": [
        "Modifies the time frame or conditions under which claims must be filed."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "176.151",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modification to the penalties for false representation under section 176.175, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes to penalty structures or definitions of false representations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "176.175",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments to the intervention process in workers’ compensation claims under section 176.361, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifications or alterations in the rules governing who may intervene in a claim."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "176.361",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Changes to the process for workers’ compensation appeals under section 176.421, subdivision 4.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjustments in the procedural rules or conditions for filing appeals."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "176.421",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Refers to the definition of emergency management workers under section 12.03, subdivision 4 for workers' compensation eligibility.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "12.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References the definition of local social services agencies under section 393.01.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "393.01",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Volunteer services in cooperation with the commissioner of natural resources pursuant to section 84.089.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "84.089",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines members of the military forces and their eligibility under workers' compensation chapter through section 190.05, subdivision 5a.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "190.05",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Volunteer services with the Minnesota Historical Society under chapter 138.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "138",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Outlines tasks and funding processes for direct support services workers in accordance with section 256B.0659, subdivision 33.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "256B.0659",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 33"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Refers to reimbursement criteria for community services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "256B.0625",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 19a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Employment details for workers under the consumer-directed community supports option section 256B.85.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "256B.85",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]