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HF3796 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Employers required to provide suitable seating for employees, and administrative penalties provided.

Related bill: SF4003

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

To improve workplace safety and comfort by requiring employers to provide seating for employees and allow them to use it when appropriate for the work.

Main Provisions

  • Employers must provide suitable seating for employees.
  • Employees must be allowed to use the seating when the nature of the work reasonably permits it.
  • Suitable seating is defined as an adequate number of seats placed near the work area, with back support, and types can include chairs, stools, or benches.
  • The rule applies to Minnesota workplaces and is codified in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 182.
  • Enforcement is handled by the state labor commissioner under the existing enforcement framework (sections 182.66 and 182.661).
  • Violations are subject to penalties described in section 182.666.

Significance and Changes to Law

  • Establishes a clear, enforceable seating requirement as part of occupational safety standards.
  • Creates a standardized definition of suitable seating and placement to ensure employees have access to seating close to their work area.
  • Adds potential administrative penalties for noncompliance, reinforcing the requirement through formal enforcement.

Enforcement and Penalties (Key Details)

  • Enforcement authority rests with the commissioner.
  • Violations can result in penalties under the existing provisions of section 182.666.

Relevant Terms - suitable seating - employer - employees - seats - chair - stool - bench - back support - reasonable proximity - work area - occupational safety - enforcement - commissioner - Minnesota Statutes - chapter 182 - penalties - section 182.666 - violation

Bill text versions

Upcoming committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2026HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toWorkforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References Minnesota Statutes chapter 182, the framework for occupational safety, to provide context for the proposed seating requirement within the existing statutory enforcement environment.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "182",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Uses the enforcement framework under section 182.66, indicating that violations of the seating requirement would be enforced under the existing occupational safety provisions.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "182.66",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References enforcement procedures by the commissioner under section 182.661 as part of the occupational safety statute.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "182.661",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "States that violations are subject to the penalties provided under section 182.666, which governs penalties for occupational safety violations.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "182.666",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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