Senate File 4480 puts businesses in charge of their own safety plans

(St. Paul, MN) – A new piece of legislation containing a detailed plan for re-opening Minnesota safely and effectively has been introduced in the Senate. Under this new legislation, businesses desiring to re-open will have the opportunity to send their safety plan to the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for review and answer.

“It’s not ideal to make businesses jump through hoops to prove that they are responsible and can keep people healthy,” said the author of the bill, Senator Mark Koran (R- North Branch). “Nonetheless, this legislation will satisfy the need to open up slowly but surely, keeping distancing in place, protecting our vulnerable, while getting our economy up and running again.” 

Each application will include personally built strategies for social distancing and workplace hygiene, along with other information that a business determines may help DEED with the final decision.

Applications must be approved or denied in no more than three business days since many businesses do not have the luxury of finances for extended wait times. The bill also requires DEED to include the specific reason(s) for any denials, along with suggested changes that could result in approval upon re-submission to prevent arbitrary decisions.

“I’m pleased to carry a commonsense bill to support Minnesota families. This language provides room for following CDC guidelines without ignoring the genuine impact that the current shutdown has on people’s livelihoods and mental health.” Sen. Koran concluded.