New York has set a precedent by becoming the first state to mandate that employers pay for prenatal care leave!
On April 20th, Governor Kathy Hochul signed an amendment to the Paid Sick Leave law, requiring employers to offer up to 20 hours of paid prenatal personal leave within a 52-week period. This innovative leave, which can be taken in hourly increments, allows employees to attend healthcare appointments, undergo testing, or receive treatments related to their pregnancy. Employees will be paid at their regular rate or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher. This is a significant milestone as it is the first law in the United States to establish a separate paid leave specifically for prenatal care.
Plus, starting June 19, 2024, New York will also require paid lactation breaks for nursing employees for up to three years post-childbirth.
We commend these progressive steps and hope that other states will follow suit to offer more comprehensive support for working mothers.
