Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Limiting Minneapolis Sick Leave Law

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling involving a legal fight over a new Minneapolis ordinance requiring employers to provide eligible workers with paid sick leave. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is fighting the law, arguing it is preempted by existing state laws and illegally extends the authority of the city beyond its boundaries.

Late last year, the chamber asked a Hennepin County judge for a temporary injunction preventing Minneapolis from enforcing the ordinance until the courts could decide on the legality of the entire law. The judge did issue an injunction barring Minneapolis from enforcing the ordinance in cases involving employers located outside of the city but allowed the city to implement the new law in other cases.

The appellate court decision upholds the judge's ruling on the injunction while leaving open the question of whether the Minneapolis City Council exceeded its legal authority in enacting the law. The Court of Appeals also denied a request to expedite the appeals process in the case.