According to a new law that took effect on Wednesday, January 1st, pregnant women in New York State will have the right to at least 20 hours of paid leave to attend prenatal medical appointments.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that this law makes New York the first state in the country to provide paid leave for prenatal check-ups.
All pregnant employees in private establishments are eligible to benefit from this paid leave.
Employees can use the paid leave to attend pregnancy-related medical check-ups, such as physical examinations, late-term pregnancy care, and fertility treatments.
This law is separate from any other paid sick leave provided by the employer. Under this law, employers cannot require employees to provide medical information when applying for paid leave for prenatal check-ups. Additionally, the spouses of pregnant women are not eligible for this paid leave policy.
Hochul advocated for this policy during the previous legislative session in New York State, with the aim of helping to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rates in the state.
In a statement last month, Hochul said, “In New York, no pregnant woman should have to choose between earning a wage and accessing medical check-ups, which is why I pushed for the establishment of the nation’s first paid leave policy for prenatal check-ups.”