Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, New York employers must offer pregnant workers 20 hours of paid prenatal leave in addition to other sick leave. During her 2024 State of the State address, Gov. Kathy Hochul promoted the change as a crucial step to help reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Hochul says the law offers relief for expectant mothers facing the dilemma of critical prenatal care or lost wages. New York is the first state to mandate a stand-alone paid prenatal leave policy. The law applies to all companies, without exceptions for entity size. Additionally, all pregnant workers are eligible regardless of their length of employment.
The Law Covers All Pregnancy-Related Care
Starting next year, pregnant employees will receive their regular pay rate when using prenatal sick leave, which can be used in one-hour increments or longer, up to 20 hours total within a 52-week period. The law covers all healthcare services related to pregnancy, including:
- Regular check-ups
- Ultrasound appointments
- Blood tests
- Special screenings
- Any other pregnancy-related medical appointments
While the law caps paid prenatal leave at 20 hours per year, the bill places no limits on the number of times used. On the other hand, employers do not need to pay employees for unused prenatal leave.
Several Questions Remain Unanswered
Before the law takes effect next January, many expect the state legislature to remedy unclear aspects of the bill. Questions about the bill’s provision include whether all 20 hours are available immediately or provided on an accrual basis. Another concern is about the eligibility timeline for new hires.
While the state must clarify some details in the coming months, supporters say the law is about more than providing benefits. It prioritizes the health and employment of pregnant New York workers. The law will help protect women from employers who directly or indirectly pressure them to choose between foregoing pay or ensuring a healthy pregnancy.