The New York State website claims that in 2016 the state enacted the strongest and most comprehensive Paid Family Leave policy in the nation. Among other things it gave new parents time to bond with a newborn, adopted, or foster child. It also provided paid leave to care for an ill loved one.
On January 1st 2025 the nations first Paid Prenatal Leave Policy will become law in New York. Governor Hochol had this to say about the new law.
“No pregnant woman in New York should be forced to choose between a paycheck and a check-up — and that’s why I pushed to create the nation’s first paid prenatal leave policy,”
The new law will provide up to 20 additional hours of paid sick leave for prenatal care.
Pregnancy health care includes:
- Physical examinations
- Medical procedures
- Monitoring
- Testing
- Discussions with a health care provider needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy
- Fertility treatment
- End of pregnancy care
From the website
The law applies to all private employers in New York State, with no minimum employee threshold, and is applicable to both full-time and part-time employees.