New York Becomes First State to Offer Paid Prenatal Leave

New York has become the first state in the United States to offer paid prenatal leave. As of Jan. 1, 2025, pregnant employees in the private sector are entitled to 20 hours of paid leave per year to attend prenatal medical appointments. The leave can be used for various pregnancy-related health care services, including physical exams, fertility treatments, and end-of-pregnancy care, but excludes postnatal or postpartum care.

Why It Matters

The new policy arrives amid growing national concern over maternal and infant health in the U.S., where infant mortality rates have risen for the first time in decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the infant mortality rate increased by three percent in 2022, the largest jump in 20 years. The U.S. continues to lag behind other high-income nations in this area, with contributing factors including inadequate prenatal care and systemic disparities.

What to Know

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul's initiative directly addresses some of these challenges, aiming to reduce maternal and infant mortality, particularly among low-income and minority populations. Data from the New York State Department of Health shows that Black infants in the state had a mortality rate 2.8 times higher than that of white or Hispanic infants from 2016 to 2019. The disparities in access to routine medical procedures and quality of care were cited as major drivers of these statistics. The Paid Prenatal Leave Law is distinct from New York's existing sick leave and family leave policies. The law ensures that employees can use this leave without being required to exhaust other available leave options first. All private-sector employees, including part-time workers and new hires, are eligible for the benefit, which is paid at their regular hourly rate or the minimum wage, whichever is higher. Employers are prohibited from requesting medical documentation or details about employees' prenatal appointments, and retaliation against employees for utilizing this benefit is strictly forbidden. The law also allows leave to be taken in hourly increments, giving pregnant workers flexibility in scheduling their appointments.

What People Are Saying

Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York said: "No pregnant woman in New York should be forced to choose between a paycheck and a checkup [ …] I know what it's like to be very pregnant, taking the subway to my doctor's office, coming back, knowing I did not lose a dime of my income for something that was important for my health and the health of my babies. Unfortunately that is not the reality for too many moms across this country." Michaelle Solages, New York State Assemblywoman said: "We have to be smart with the policies we put forward. We have to reform the programs and strengthen parts of it to make sure all families get access to it." Daniella Gutierrez, a New York mom consulted as part of the policy said: "It's hard to be a mom in New York, but it's also very life-changing [ …] I feel like we shouldn't have to choose between our health and health care or going to work."

What Happens Next

Employers across New York are expected to update their leave policies to comply with the new law, with guidance from the state's Department of Labor. The law's success could position New York as a model for addressing prenatal care disparities and supporting working families. As implementation progresses, stakeholders will watch closely to assess its affect on maternal and infant health statistics. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press