New York State announced that the first paid prenatal examination regulation in the United States will officially take effect on January 1, 2025. According to the new regulation, any pregnant woman employed in private enterprises in New York State can receive an additional 20 hours of paid leave for prenatal check-ups. The State Department of Labor estimates that around 130,000 pregnant women will qualify each year, with approximately 65,800 of them being hourly workers.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York State stated on December 2nd, “In New York State, no pregnant woman should be forced to choose between her salary and prenatal check-ups. Therefore, I have introduced the nation’s first paid prenatal examination leave policy. From raising the minimum wage to investing in affordable childcare services, we are striving to make New York the most family-friendly state in the country.”
Under the new regulations, pregnant women can take paid time off for medical services including examinations, treatments, health monitoring, prenatal health consultations, fertility treatments, and postnatal care, totaling 20 hours, applicable to both full-time and part-time employees.
This policy was proposed by Governor Hochul in her 2024 “State of the State” address and was signed into law in April of this year, aiming to help pregnant women conveniently access pregnancy-related medical services.
According to the State government, regular prenatal check-ups can significantly improve maternal and infant health. Pregnant women who do not receive prenatal check-ups are three times more likely to have babies weighing less than 5.5 pounds compared to those who undergo check-ups, and the risk of infant mortality during the first year is five times higher. Additionally, pregnant women who do not receive prenatal check-ups are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than those who receive prenatal care.