As 2025 approaches, Minnesotans are set to experience significant changes to laws affecting various aspects of daily life, from transparency in employment and consumer protection to firearm safety and voting accessibility. These new regulations reflect the state’s efforts to enhance fairness, safety, and accessibility for all residents. Here’s a comprehensive look at what to expect starting January 1, 2025.
1. Pay Transparency for Job Seekers
Starting in January, Minnesota will require employers with 30 or more employees to include salary ranges and a description of benefits in all job postings. This legislation aims to foster equity in hiring by ensuring candidates are fully informed about compensation upfront.
Under this law, employers cannot list open-ended salary ranges (e.g., “up to $50,000”) or exclude benefits information. By standardizing pay transparency, the state hopes to narrow pay gaps and make the hiring process more equitable. Employers should begin reviewing their job posting practices to ensure compliance with the new requirements.
2. The ‘Taylor Swift’ Bill: Concert Ticket Protections
Named after the massive demand for Taylor Swift tickets, the Ticketing Fairness Act introduces consumer protections for live event tickets. Sellers must now disclose total ticket costs, including all fees, upfront. This aims to eliminate surprises during checkout.
Additionally, the law bans the use of automated bots for purchasing tickets and selling duplicate tickets to multiple buyers. For fans and event-goers, this law promises a fairer and more transparent purchasing experience.
3. Eliminating ‘Junk Fees’
Minnesota has joined other states in banning “junk fees,” which are hidden fees or mandatory charges not included in advertised prices. Businesses can no longer advertise a base price while tacking on additional fees at checkout.
For example, hotel bookings, car rentals, and dining establishments must now reflect the full price consumers will pay. This move ensures greater price transparency and consumer trust while encouraging businesses to adopt straightforward pricing models.
4. Expanding Voting Accessibility on College Campuses
Recognizing the importance of youth participation in elections, Minnesota has enacted legislation to make voting more accessible for students. Colleges or universities with on-campus housing for at least 100 students can now request polling places within half a mile of campus during general elections.
This initiative aims to remove barriers to voting for students, making it easier for them to participate in the democratic process. Advocates hope this step will increase voter turnout among younger demographics.
5. Ban on Binary Triggers for Firearms
In a move to address public safety concerns, Minnesota has added firearms equipped with binary triggers to its list of prohibited weapons. Binary triggers allow a gun to fire both when the trigger is pulled and released, significantly increasing its firing rate.
This ban aligns with the state’s broader efforts to prevent misuse of high-capacity weapons. Gun owners are encouraged to review their firearms to ensure compliance with this new regulation.
6. Clean Slate Law: Expunging Criminal Records
Minnesota’s Clean Slate Act provides individuals with certain criminal records a second chance by automatically sealing or expunging eligible offenses. This initiative is designed to remove barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities for individuals who have rehabilitated.
Records eligible for automatic expungement typically include non-violent offenses and cases where individuals have met specific rehabilitation criteria. This law offers renewed hope to those striving to rebuild their lives after past mistakes.
7. Minimum Wage Adjustment
The state’s minimum wage will be standardized to $11.13 per hour for all employers, regardless of company size. This change eliminates the previously lower rate for small employers, creating a level playing field for workers.
In cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, where local ordinances require higher minimum wages, the adjustments will align with state laws to ensure fair pay across the board. Employers should prepare for this increase to remain compliant.
8. Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Updates
Minnesota is updating its Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) policies. Employers who offer paid time off (PTO) exceeding the minimum ESST requirements must now allow employees to use that time for ESST-eligible purposes.
For employees, this change provides greater flexibility to address health, safety, or personal needs without fear of losing income. Employers should update their leave policies to reflect these new requirements.
9. Tightened Independent Contractor Rules in Construction
Misclassifying workers as independent contractors has long been a concern in the construction industry. Minnesota is introducing stricter criteria for such classifications
