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HF 170

A bill for an act providing for employment leave for employees of railroad corporations to attend a school-sponsored activity and making penalties applicable.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Devon Wood

Railroad workers gain protected paid or unpaid leave to attend their child's school activities when not schedulable outside work hours, with 14-day notice.

Subcommittee recommends passage.
#employeebenefits #railroads
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Bill Summary · HF 170

Summary: HF 170 – Employment Leave for Railroad Employees to Attend School-Sponsored Activities

HF 170 is a bill that would establish a paid or unpaid leave, with protections against retaliation, for employees of railroad corporations to attend their child’s school-sponsored activities when those activities cannot be scheduled outside work hours. The bill is currently in subcommittee with a recommendation to pass.

Purpose and intent

  • Allow railroad employees to take leave to attend a scheduled school-sponsored activity of their child when the activity cannot be scheduled during nonwork hours.
  • Provide a mechanism for employees to request such leave and protect them from discharge or retaliation for taking it.

Key provisions

  • Leave eligibility and placement

    • A railroad corporation may grant leave to an employee to attend a school-sponsored activity of the employee’s child if the activity cannot be scheduled during nonwork hours.
    • The railroad corporation may require written documentation of the school-sponsored activity before or after granting the leave.

  • Scheduling and notice

    • An employee must submit a written request for leave at least 14 calendar days in advance of the time they request to take leave.
    • Leave cannot be taken on a federal holiday.

  • Employer discretion on leave type

    • The railroad corporation has discretion to provide paid or unpaid leave.

  • Protections for employees

    • The bill prohibits discharge, discipline, penalties, or retaliation against an employee solely for taking this leave.

  • Enforcement and penalties

    • Violations of Code chapter 91A (administrative rules and related enforcement) are subject to civil penalties.
    • The penalty is not to exceed $500 per pay period for each violation.
    • Chapter 91A is administered and enforced by the director of the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.

  • Administrative framework

    • The provisions would fall under the existing administrative framework of Minnesota’s Code chapter 91A and its enforcement processes.

Who is affected

  • Employees of railroad corporations seeking to attend their child’s school-sponsored activities.
  • Railroad employers (as the grantor of leave and as entities responsible for compliance and enforcement under Chapter 91A).

Timeline and legislative status

  • Introduced: January 30, 2025; referred to Transportation.
  • Subcommittee: February 5, 2025 (members: Wood, Bossman, Cooling).
  • Subcommittee meeting: February 19, 2025.
  • Subcommittee action: February 19, 2025, recommended passage.
  • Sponsor: Wood (primary).

Potential impact

  • Provides a formal mechanism for parental participation in school activities, balancing family needs with railroad operations.
  • Creates a potential employer cost/administrative consideration due to paid vs. unpaid leave decisions.
  • Establishes clear procedural requirements (14-day notice, documentation) and protects employees from retaliation.
  • Introduces penalties for noncompliance under Chapter 91A, encouraging adherence.

Practical example

An employee needs to attend a parent-teacher conference that cannot be scheduled outside work hours. The employee submits a written leave request at least 14 days in advance, provides documentation of the school activity if required, and the employer may grant paid or unpaid leave. The employee is protected from discipline for taking the leave, and the employer must comply with 91A enforcement provisions if violations occur.

Note: The above reflects the text and status provided for HF 170 as of the latest subcommittee actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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