As the new year begins, Minnesotans will see some changes to state law, ranging from being able to keep salary information private to guaranteed sick time for almost all workers.

The new laws take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and the summaries come courtesy of the nonpartisan Minnesota House Public Information Services. Longer summaries are available at house.mn.gov/newlaws/search/2023.

Political donation refund increase

As part of the tax and policy finance law, the political contribution refund that Minnesotans can give to in-state political parties and candidates for state offices is increasing from $50 to $75 for individuals and from $100 to $150 for married joint filers.

Limiting international influence

A provision in the “Democracy for the People Act” is banning foreign-influenced corporations from spending money to influence Minnesota elections.

Safe and sick time

Earned safe and sick time starts Jan. 1 and is guaranteed for nearly all workers in Minnesota. Under the law, employers must allow employees to earn at least one hour of paid earned safe and sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours per year. The law covers all employees, including part-time and temporary workers.

Menstrual products in schools

Minnesota public and charter schools will be required to provide access to menstrual products at no charge. Products are required to be available in restrooms regularly used by students in grades 4 to 12, following a plan developed by each school district.

Private salary information

Minnesotans will be able to keep their current salary information private, as they can no longer be forced to disclose their pay history as part of the hiring process. Applicants can still voluntarily provide the information to support a wage or salary higher than initially offered. For unionized workers, the law does not go into effect until their first contract of the new year.

Renters’ rights

Renters have the right to be warm in the wintertime. Among the new provisions: A landlord must provide heat of at least 68 degrees when it is less than 60 degrees outside from Oct. 1 to April 30. Also:

•Landlords must make emergency repairs when apartments have no running water or sanitary facilities, no heat, or a broken refrigerator.

•If pets are allowed, landlords can’t force tenants to get them declawed or devocalized.

•Landlords must give tenants 24 hours’ notice before entering residences, and the visit time is restricted to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

•Before bringing an eviction action for nonpayment of rent, landlords must explain in writing the total amount of rent owed and give renters 14 days to pay.

•When tenants are moving out, they have five days to fix any problems before money can be withheld from their damage deposit.

Micro-dwellings at churches

Under a new law, churches can set up tiny houses, or “micro-dwellings,” on their property to help the homeless — but only with a city permit.

The idea of a “sacred community,” or micro-unit dwelling, comes from research at the University of Minnesota, which “recognizes that these individuals have often experienced significant trauma and need healing,” according to a summary on the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition website.

“It is based on a community-first model, inviting people into a loving, supportive community. The residents are offered a permanent home — many for the first time — so long as they pay nominal rent and follow the rules set out in the ‘good neighbor’ agreement.”

The new law requires cities to set permitting and technical standards for micro-units, including size, anchoring, material grade, insulation, toilets, electrical systems, framing, and life and safety systems. Inspection and certification of the units is also required.

Disarming dangerous individuals

A new state law will allow families, chief law enforcement officers, city or county attorneys, and legal guardians to ask a court for an “extreme risk protection order,” including on an emergency basis, in order to force a potentially dangerous person to give up guns for up to a year.

A judge must agree that by having a gun, the person poses a significant danger to themself or others, and they must have their day in court within 14 days. If the order is granted, the person will have 24 hours to turn over firearms to a licensed dealer or to law enforcement. The law also provides that the guns will be returned when the court order expires.

Specialty license plates

Specialty license plates will be available for drivers to support Minnesota’s six professional teams: the Vikings, Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, Lynx and United. The money raised through the special license plates will go to professional sports team foundations, to be used for charitable purposes.

Other plates available beginning Jan. 1 are for Lions Club International and Minnesota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, with proceeds going to their respective purposes. Blackout plates (black background with white text) will also be available at the start of the new year.

Driver’s exam appointment

People looking to get their driver’s licenses should have an easier time making appointments beginning Jan. 1. The Department of Public Safety must provide real-time information about the location and availability of driver’s exam appointments.

“The website must also provide an option for a person to enter an address to see the date and time of the next available exam at each exam station sorted by distance from the address provided,” according to the new law.

Veterans’ services at work

Businesses with 50 or more employees will be required to display a poster about the Department of Veterans Affairs and its veterans’ services programs, substance use disorder and mental health treatment, educational and other training resources, tax benefits, unemployment benefit eligibility and contact information for the veterans crisis line.