Gov. Walz, Senior Officials Celebrate Strong Start of Paid Family and Medical Leave Program

(KNSI) – Governor Tim Walz led a victory lap Tuesday over the launch of the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Act.

In no uncertain terms, Walz called the first week of the program a success. “Paid family leave was launched on time, under budget, and with full functionality, and with the outside verification, some of the strongest safeguards of program integrity, or the strongest in the country.”

Minnesota is one of 13 states with a paid family and medical leave program. Ours is the most comprehensive. It allows up to 12 weeks of leave per year to address personal health problems or care for others, 12 weeks of parental leave, or 20 weeks if someone is dealing with both situations.

Walz exclaimed that demand for benefits is sky high. “Nearly 18,000 people have applied. Thirty-five hundred people have been approved. Thousands of Minnesotans, whether it’s to care for children, to take care of medical issues, to care for a loved one, are now not going to have to make heartbreaking choices between their financial stability and the well-being of their family.”

The sentiment, focused on how many sign-ups were taking place, echoed how officials used to discuss various federal Medicaid programs now under investigation for widespread fraud. To alleviate concerns, they pivoted to the integrity measures built into the online application process.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek explains, “In terms of the integrity features, of course, you have to verify your identity on the front end, typically with a selfie and your driver’s license. We need verification of any claim of the need for leave, and so if it’s for welcoming a baby, we need to have documentation verifying that.”

Varilek said he does not know the rejection rate on the first batch of applications. The paid family leave law was first passed by the state legislature in 2023.

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