New York Leads The Way With Major Law Affecting Pregnant Women On The Clock

This is a MAJOR move for prenatal care.

Pregnant mom: File photo. A pregnant woman caught a child who fell from a second-story window. At 33 weeks pregnant, she suffered only minor bruises. (Adene Sanchez/iStock)

By Syke

January 09, 2025 at 7:17 am EST

Say what you want about the NY government & its leaders, and believe me THERE IS A LOT we could say, but this is something we can all get behind!

As of January 1, 2025, ALL privately owned companies will need to offer an additional 20 hours of paid leave to pregnant employees for any prenatal care related issues or appointments.

The move makes New York the first in the country to offer this.

“No pregnant woman in New York should be forced to choose between a paycheck and a check-up — and that’s why I pushed to create the nation’s first paid prenatal leave policy,” NY Governor Hochul said in a statement last month.

Employers are forbidden from requesting medical information when a worker requests the prenatal paid leave. The policy is separate from any other paid sick leave offered by an employer. Spouses of pregnant women are not eligible for the prenatal leave.