In April 2024, the New York State Legislature approved Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget for 2025 which extended the statewide Sick Leave Law. The adjusted law, effective from January 1, 2025, offers paid prenatal personal leave of 20 hours per year for expecting employees. This leave can be used for health care visits, medical procedures, consultations and discussions related to the pregnancy, fertility treatments, and end-of-pregnancy care.

This benefit is provided on top of existing paid sick leave and family leave rights. The law mandates employers to provide this as an annual benefit for all employees, paid on an hourly basis at either the regular rate of pay or the prevailing minimum wage, whichever is higher. The post-leave employment position, pay, and terms remain unchanged, protecting the job status of the employee during the leave.

The law forbids employers from demanding confidential health information or using the same as a criterion for granting leave. Employers cannot retaliate against employees using this benefit by reducing other leave options or changing their work location or hours. Given the new update, employers must revise their leave policies and employee manuals accordingly.

Additional resources or clarifications can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) issued by the New York State Department of Labor, including details about recently introduced protections for employees who are pregnant or post-partum, encompassing the New York State’s Lactation Break Law and the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

While the above covers the provision of Paid Family Leave in New York, if you are based in California, you might want to look into similar options available to you. Paid Family Leave in California is provided through the Employment Development Department (EDD). For more information or for any clarifications, getting in touch with the EDD can be helpful. Comprehensive details about how to contact EDD, including edd phone number and instructions on how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave representative can be found at eddcaller.com. They provide insights on how to navigate and connect with the right department, ensuring that your queries are addressed promptly and efficiently.