New laws go into effect with New Year

KAREN M. JORGENSEN
EDITORDCI@KMTEL.COM
Every new year brings new laws into effect. Here are a few of the new laws now in place in Minnesota.
Political contribution refund increases
State law provides for a refund for political contributions made to Minnesota political parties and candidates for state offices.
As part of the tax and policy finance law, the political contribution refund is increased from $50 to $75 for individuals and from $100 to $150 for married joint filers. It is effective Jan. 1, 2024, for contributions made in calendar year 2024 and thereafter.
Earned safe and sick time
Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, earned sick and safe time will be guaranteed for nearly all workers in Minnesota.
Under the law, employers must, at a minimum, allow employees to earn one hour of paid earned safe and sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours per year. Accrual begins when a qualified employee begins employment and may be used as it is accrued.
The law applies to any employer with one or more employees, and it covers all employees, including part-time and temporary. An employee is anyone who works at least 80 hours a year for an employer in Minnesota. Independent contractors are not included.
Job applicants cannot be asked about past pay history
Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations will be prohibited from inquiring into, considering, or requiring disclosure of the pay history of an applicant for employment for the purposes of determining wages, benefits, salary, or other compensation.
Extreme risk protection orders permitted
The public safety and judiciary finance and policy law provides a way for family or household members, a chief law enforcement officer, a city or county attorney, or a guardian to petition a court for an “extreme risk protection order,” including on an emergency basis, that will prohibit a respondent from possessing firearms for up to one year.
According to the law, “A petition for relief shall allege that the respondent poses a significant danger of bodily harm to other persons or is at significant risk of suicide by possessing a firearm. … A petition for emergency relief shall additionally allege that the respondent presents an immediate and present danger of either bodily harm to others or of taking their life.”
A court hearing must be held within 14 days of the date a petition is received. A court may extend the relief granted in an existing order granted after another hearing.
Upon issuance of an order, a respondent must transfer their firearms within 24 hours to a federally licensed firearms dealer or a law enforcement agency which may charge a reasonable storage fee.
Supporting professional teams, other organizations on your license plate
Specialty license plates will be available for Minnesota’s six professional teams: Vikings, Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, Lynx and United.
In addition to typical vehicle plate fees, an annual contribution of at least $30 must be deposited in the Minnesota professional sports team foundations account. Minus the cost of administering the account funds, remaining funds will be distributed to the foundations in proportion to the total number of Minnesota professional sports team foundation plates issued for that year. Foundations can only use the proceeds for philanthropic or charitable purposes.