ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul made an announcement Monday about a new law soon in effect for prenatal leave policies. The nation's first-ever paid prenatal leave policy, signed into law in April, will officially go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
The law requires all private employers across New York State to grant expecting mothers up to 20 hours of paid prenatal leave. The New York State Department of Labor estimates that about 130,000 pregnant women per year will be eligible for this benefit, with about 65,800 of those being hourly workers. It's an effort to help pregnant woman stay on track with their doctors appointments.
Governor Hochul said the law is essential for women to be allowed this time off of work.
“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,” Governor Hochul said. “From raising the minimum wage to investing in affordable child care, we’re making New York the best and most affordable place to raise a family.”
According to the state's release, pregnancy-related health care includes the following:
- Physical examinations
- Medical procedures
- Monitoring
- Testing
- Discussions with a health care provider needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy
- Fertility treatment
- End of pregnancy care
For more information on Governor Hochul's announcement, visit the official New York State website here.