New York’s Prenatal Leave Benefits: What to Know for 2025.

The leave policy will provide up to 20 hours for employees to attend doctor’s appointments and other related services.

Starting in 2025, pregnant New Yorkers may see changes to their leave and benefits, including not having to miss out on pay for doctor’s appointments.

In April, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the nation’s first law granting prenatal leave for workers. The state has also launched an awareness campaign to spread the word about the new policy, which kicks in on January 1.

“No pregnant woman in New York should have to choose between a paycheck and a check-up—that’s why I worked to establish the nation’s first paid prenatal leave policy,” Hochul stated in a press release. “From increasing the minimum wage to investing in affordable childcare, we’re making New York the best and most affordable place to raise a family.”

Starting now, both part-time and full-time workers in New York are entitled to 20 hours of paid leave for prenatal care, including doctor’s appointments and fertility treatments. Employers are required to grant this time off if requested, and it cannot be deducted from sick days or other benefits.

The state will raise awareness through subway ads, social media campaigns, and a virtual media tour, led by New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. She described the initiative as a way to support expecting New Yorkers.

The goal of this initiative is to ensure women have unfettered access to the care and support they need from healthcare providers during pregnancy. The Department of Labor estimates that around 130,000 pregnant workers will benefit from this new policy.

March of Dimes reports that one in seven babies born in New York have mothers who don’t receive enough prenatal care. This increases the likelihood of infants having low birth weight and higher risk of infant mortality. Mothers lacking proper care also face a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications.