If you think Earned Safe & Sick Time will throw a wrench into how employers pay their workers, just wait until Jan. 1, 2026.

That’s when the new paid family and medical leave program will go into effect. The bill was signed into law last session. The program was discussed as part of a town hall meeting last Thursday morning with District 15A Sen. Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls) and District 15 House Rep. Chris Swedzinski (R-Ghent).

“These are going to be really costly endeavors,” Dahms said.

See more in this week’s paper!