New Minnesota Laws Take Effect January 1st

A number of new state laws go into effect on New Year’s Day (Saturday) in Minnesota.

Any member of the 11 federally-recognized Native American tribes in Minnesota can receive an annual state park permit at no charge to display on their vehicle or they can get daily state park permits for free.

Employers with 15 or more workers are required to provide “reasonable accommodations” requested by an employee at the recommendation of a health care provider, for conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.

The law says that could include “temporary transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position, seating, frequent restroom breaks, and limits to heavy lifting.”

The employer is exempted only if they demonstrate the arrangements “would impose an undue hardship” on the operation of the business.