New York State’s medical leave program, which once acted as a nationwide model, has been struggling to deliver on its initial promise to safeguard workers and their families during times of need. A few years ago, progress was made with the implementation of Paid Family Leave (PFL), that offered wage-replacement benefits and job protections for workers when they took leave to bond with a new child or take care of a sick or disabled relative. However, the medical leave program was not updated to match these new PFL benefits, leaving a gap for those who are ill or have been injured off the job, including pregnant women, new mothers, and those who give birth to stillborn babies.

Back in 1949, New York was one of the first six states that enacted statutory disability insurance. While the number of states with similar laws has grown to 12, with four more on the way in 2026, New York lags behind as it continues to have the lowest cap on medical benefits. Even though partners can generate up to $1,151 per week via PFL, those in need of medical care are limited to $170 per week.

This dilemma can be addressed by the Equity in Leave Act, aimed to be a crucial update to the state’s medical leave legislation. If passed, this act will align benefits between PFL and medical leave, ensuring parity between caregivers and those under their care. It will also phase in a benefits increase over a four-year period.

The implementation of the Equity in Paid Leave Act will potentially benefit women recovering from childbirth and those who experience a stillbirth, as they are currently unable to access the higher-paying PFL benefit. The Act will also allow women, especially Black women who are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, to take the needed time off to prioritize their health without worrying about paying bills.

The Act is also projected to make New York more appealing to workers and improve the competitiveness of businesses in a tight labor market. Furthermore, it will fortify the path to the middle class, ensuring that hardworking New Yorkers can receive the benefits they need while they are healing and recovering.

With the Equity in Paid Leave Act, the aim is not only to provide better benefits for disabled workers but to reestablish New York’s leadership role nationwide. The initiative to drive this change forward lies with Governor Hochul.