Reminder: NYS Paid Prenatal Personal Leave Law Takes Effect Jan. 1st

(Dec. 10, 2024) LeadingAge NY members are reminded that NY’s paid prenatal personal leave law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The law (Labor Law Section 196-B), enacted as part of the 2024-25 State Budget, requires employers to provide 20 hours of paid prenatal personal leave during any 52-week calendar period for health care services during pregnancy, including physical examinations, medical procedures, monitoring and testing, and discussions with a health care provider related to the pregnancy. The law appears to apply only to private sector employers, not public sector employers, as the definition of “employer” in the applicable article of the Labor Law excludes governmental agencies. Upon returning to work following paid prenatal leave, the employee must be restored to the position held by such employee prior to the paid prenatal leave with the same pay and other terms of employment. Notably, the law does not require an employer to pay an employee for unused paid prenatal leave upon termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation from employment. A memorandum from Hinman Straub is available here.

Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org