In an effort to ensure that pregnant workers in New York don’t have to miss paid work to attend crucial prenatal appointments, a new state law is commencing from January 1. This pioneering law mandates that all full and part-time pregnant workers are entitled to 20 hours of paid leave yearly for prenatal care, above and beyond their regular sick days. This paid leave can be used for physical examinations, medical procedures, fertility treatments, and other related services.

The governor, Kathy Hochul, highlighted the importance of this measure, stating that no pregnant woman should have to choose between her paycheck and health check-ups. Workers can claim their prenatal leave on request, and employers are prohibited from making cuts in other benefits to compensate. This law applies specifically to private-sector employers, yet there’s no exemption for companies based on their size.

Prenatal care critically affects the health of newborn infants, including the risk factor for premature births. Statistics indicate that around 14% of babies in New York last year were born to people who didn’t receive adequate prenatal care.

NY State’s family leave benefits have been supplemented by the allocation for prenatal care. Since 2018, the state has required employers to provide paid family leave to new parents. By 2025, eligible New Yorkers will be entitled to at least 12 weeks of leave, with payouts amounting to 67% of an employee’s average weekly income.

In case of any queries related to these family leave benefits, you can reach out to the New York State Department of Labor’s paid family leave division. If you need further assistance on how to contact SDI, eddcaller.com offers useful information on how to reach a representative to discuss your concerns and enjoy a smooth process.