Just at the end of last month, on April 29, 2022, Governor Tim Watz signed into law SB 2677, which replenished the unemployment trust fund, and among other things, created the Frontline Workers Payment Program. The program, which became effective immediately upon the governor’s signature, provides for payments to eligible employees in a very broadly defined frontline sector of employment that includes: food service, from production and processing through food preparation, sale and delivery. To be eligible for payments up to $1,500, an employee must have worked in an eligible position for at least 120 hours between March 15, 2020 and June 30, 2021; been unable to telework due to the nature of job; and worked in close proximity to people outside of their home. Furthermore, there is an adjusted gross income cap for food service eligible employees of $185,000 (married taxpayers filing jointly) or $85,000 for other filers. Perhaps of greatest import to affected employers is the notice requirement, which requires that employers in a frontline sector must provide notice within 15 days of the application period opening advising all current workers who may be eligible of the program and how to apply for benefits. The employer must provide notice using the same means the employer uses to provide other work-related notices to employees. The application period triggering this obligation is not yet opened but the state Department of Labor and Industries is now finalizing its forms and regulations. Email updates can be requested here.