ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State is making it easier for new moms to take time off to care for their health before their babies are born.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that the state has enacted a stand-alone prenatal leave policy as part of the fiscal year 2025 budget. She also announced the doulas will be covered under Medicaid and the state will create the first doula director to help pregnant woman seeking support.
“We prioritizing maternal and infant health because every family deserves a healthy start in life,” Governor Hochul said. “Every mother deserves to feel joy and excitement, not fear and trepidation as she brings life into the world. When all families have the care and support they need to thrive, our potential as a state is limitless.”
As part of the paid leave program, employees are now able to receive an additional 20 hours of paid sick leave for prenatal care, in addition to the existing sick leave.
The state is also using $250,000 to start a grant program that will expand access to community-based doula to help train, support and mentor, especially in vulnerable communities.
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “This initiative sets a high standard for prenatal care, ensuring that people who give birth across New York receive the comprehensive support necessary to thrive during this critical time. Through Governor Hochul's visionary leadership in pioneering the state’s prenatal paid leave plan, we are taking monumental steps to empower and uplift our working mothers with accommodating workplace policies.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald added, “Providing support and quality resources to people who give birth, and their babies is paramount. I thank Governor Hochul for her tenacity and unwavering commitment to enhancing maternal and infant health in this state. The inception of Medicaid coverage for doulas, the production of a doula directory, the elimination of costs for certain pregnancy-related benefits for residents enrolled in state health care plans, and the creation of a paid leave program for prenatal care will improve health outcomes and help families flourish and thrive.” '
In addition, funding will be provided to distributed portable cribs for "under resourced New Yorkers at no cost. This will help ensure that infants will have a safe sleeping environment. The budget also ensures employees provide paid breaktime for nursing mothers for up to three years following the birth of their child."
For more information: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-highlights-statewide-efforts-improve-maternal-and-infant-health
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