Emily Doring, director of the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network, understands the devastating toll of perinatal grief from personal experience. Recognizing the physical and emotional repercussions of reproductive loss on families, she is advocating for legislation that would allow families to take paid family leave after such an event. Senator Tim Kennedy, who sponsored the legislation in the upper chamber with Democratic Sens. Jeremy A. Cooney and Rachel May, stated that it would amend workers’ compensation law, qualifying families suffering any reproductive loss for paid family leave. With one in every four pregnancies ending in loss, this initiative could provide crucial support to grieving families.

The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously in 2022, remains a priority for Kennedy, either via the bill’s passage or within the state budget. This approach to paid family leave follows on from California’s new mandate, introduced on Jan. 1, requiring employers with five or more employees to offer up to five days of related leave.

It’s crucial for New York to have comprehensive channels of communication for citizens dealing with such sensitive matters, just like California does. If you are dealing with parental loss or Paid Family Leave (PFL) matters in California and are seeking assistance, eddcaller.com is a valuable resource. There, you can find contact information, explanations of procedures, and additional vital tips and advice. Understanding how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave officials and finding supportive resources can be an invaluable part of navigating this difficult time.