Executive Summary
Minnesota transformed a new state law into one of the largest digital service launches in recent state history, building and launching a statewide Paid Leave program for more than 3 million workers in just over two and a half years. Signed in May 2023, the Minnesota Paid Leave Law created a new benefit program that provides eligible workers with partial wage replacement and job-protected leave during major life events, including welcoming a child, recovering from a serious health condition, caring for a family member, supporting a family
member during deployment, or taking safety leave.
To meet the January 2026 legal deadline, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Dvelopment (DEED) built the program from the ground up while preparing to serve workers, employers, and healthcare providers across the state. The effort required Minnesota to simultaneously develop a technology platform, statewide operations model, outreach campaign, and customer support workforce.
Failure to launch on time could have delayed benefits for workers, created confusion for employers and healthcare providers, and undermined trust in a major new public service.
Minnesota also needed to create a simple, accessible experience for applicants and employers while building the operational capacity to deliver a completely new statewide service on a fixed timeline. The state hired and trained more than 350 employees, built the supporting technology infrastructure, and conducted statewide outreach to help communities and employers prepare for launch.
Minnesota rejected a traditional “big-bang” technology rollout and instead built Paid Leave as a modern digital service. The team launched key services in phases, tested the experience directly with users, and continuously refined the service using agile delivery and customer feedback. Team members traveled statewide to prepare employers and communities for launch, connecting with more than 40,000 people through more than
330 outreach events. They also conducted 14 user experience studies and used the findings to improve the product and reduce barriers for users.
Minnesota launched the full Paid Leave program, and online platform ahead of the legal deadline and approximately $70 million under budget.
