By law, you may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during or following pregnancy. Minnesota's Paid Leave law, which provides paid time off during or following a pregnancy, goes into effect Jan.On May 24, 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed into law legislation that further expands protections for nursing and pregnant employees in Minnesota. The law is amended to add temporary leave of absence, a modification to work schedule or job assignment, and more frequent or longer breaks. Am I Entitled to Maternity Leave? As of July 1, 2023, all Minnesota employees are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid, protected leave in conjunction with the birth or adoption of a child. Like the FMLA, Minnesota's leave law allows employees to take up to 12 weeks off for pregnancy disability and parenting combined. In 2023, Minnesota enacted the Paid Leave Act, providing paid leave benefits to employees starting January 1, 2026. Under Minnesota law, employers must provide employees who need to express breast milk for their infant child reasonable break times each day. Your employer can't make employment decisions about you just because you become pregnant.