Labor committee hears DLI bill to phase out subminimum wages for people with disabilities; refers measure to Human Services

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Senate Labor Committee on March 11, 2025 heard Senate File 2149, the Department of Labor and Industry’s policy and technical bill, which includes a phased elimination of subminimum wages for people with disabilities and new authority for the department to seek temporary restraining orders in certain labor-law cases. After hours of testimony from disability advocates, providers and families, the committee laid over the bill and voted to refer it to the Senate Human Services Committee without recommendation.

The proposal would prohibit hiring workers under subminimum wage rules for new positions beginning Aug. 1, 2026, and prohibit paying any employee less than the highest applicable minimum wage by Aug. 1, 2028. It also would permit the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to seek court orders to enjoin urgent violations of employment law beyond its current authority under the Child Labor Act, and would make technical updates to electrical licensing code references.

Supporters said the bill completes work already begun in Minnesota to remove exceptions that permit employers to pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage. Josiah Moore, legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry, told…