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The Minnesota House Passes Labor & Industry Policy Bill

Monday, May 1, 2023

NEWS ADVISORY 

Minnesota House of Representatives DFL Majority  

 

For immediate release  

Contact: Marlee Schlegel  

651-296-9873 | marlee.schlegel@house.mn.gov  

   

May 1, 2023  

The Minnesota House Passes Labor & Industry Policy Bill 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Minnesota House passed its Labor and Industry policy bill. Chair of the Labor and Industry Finance Committee, Rep. Michael V. Nelson (DFL – Brooklyn Park) issued the following statement: 

“It’s incredibly special and fitting to have passed our Labor and Industry Policy Bill on May Day, a day that commemorates the struggles and victories of the labor movement. Today, we continue to fight for a world where all workers have the opportunity to thrive. We continue to fight for a world where workers are paid a living wage, have safe working conditions, and have access to quality healthcare. We deserve a world where workers are represented in government and have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. Today, we did right by all of Minnesota’s workers.” 

The Labor and Industry Policy bill contains provisions to support collective bargaining for teachers, making it easier for public employees to conduct union duties. The bill also strengthens religious freedom in the workplace, prohibiting retaliation for an employee’s refusal to participate in work-sponsored religious or political events, meetings, or communications. The bill also creates a pathway for licensure reciprocity for contract workers who are licensed in other states to come work in Minnesota.  

The bill also addresses the housing crisis by authorizing religious institutions to build communities of micro-dwellings to house chronically homeless or extremely low-income Minnesotans. These dwellings can be built on property surrounding the primary place of worship. The bill goes on to outline other building requirements necessary to create these communities.  

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