Minnesota § 181.941 - PREGNANCY AND PARENTING LEAVE
Full text of Minnesota Minnesota Statutes § 181.941 — PREGNANCY AND PARENTING LEAVE, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 181.941. PREGNANCY AND PARENTING LEAVE
Subdivision 1.Twelve-week leave; pregnancy, birth, or adoption.
(a) An employer must grant an unpaid leave of absence to an employee who is:
(1) a biological or adoptive parent in conjunction with the birth or adoption of a child; or
(2) a female employee for prenatal care, or incapacity due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related health conditions.
(b) The length of the leave shall be determined by the employee, but must not exceed 12 weeks, unless agreed to by the employer.
Subd. 2.Start of leave.
The leave shall begin at a time requested by the employee. The employer may adopt reasonable policies governing the timing of requests for unpaid leave and may require an employee who plans to take a leave under this section to give the employer reasonable notice of the date the leave shall commence and the estimated duration of the leave. For leave taken under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), the leave must begin within 12 months of the birth or adoption; except that, in the case where the child must remain in the hospital longer than the mother, the leave must begin within 12 months after the child leaves the hospital.
Subd. 3.No employer retribution.
An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, interfere with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an employee for requesting or obtaining a leave of absence as provided by this section.
Subd. 4.Continued insurance.
During any leave for which an employee is entitled to benefits or leave under this section, the employer must maintain coverage under any group insurance policy, group subscriber contract, or health care plan for the employee and any dependents as if the employee was not on leave, provided, however, that the employee must continue to pay any employee share of the cost of the benefits.
History:
1987 c 359 s 2; 1990 c 577 s 2; 2014 c 239 art 3 s 2; 2023 c 53 art 11 s 30; 2024 c 110 art 2 s 10
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes
Source: official Minnesota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota § 181.941
What does Minnesota Statutes § 181.941 cover?
Section 181.941 ("PREGNANCY AND PARENTING LEAVE") is part of the Minnesota Statutes, the codified statutory law of Minnesota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Minnesota § 181.941?
A common citation format is "Minnesota Statutes § 181.941" (Minnesota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Minnesota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Minnesota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Minnesota attorney.
How does Minnesota § 181.941 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Minnesota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota.