news article
New York State Legislative Updates: Paid Prenatal Leave, Paid Breast Milk Expression Time, and Continuation of Paid COVID-19 Sick Leave until mid-2025
May 20, 2024 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As part of the NYS Budget Bill process, there are three legislative updates which were approved. The details for each one are listed below. If you have any questions on these legislative updates, please contact Tracy Rickett, HR Generalist, at tracyrickett@unyumc.org or 315-898-2017.
Paid Prenatal Leave
New York becomes the first state to mandate paid prenatal leave requiring employers to provide pregnant employees with 20 hours of paid prenatal leave during any 52-week calendar period. This mandate is an amendment to Labor Law § 196-b and is in addition to the state’s existing mandatory paid sick leave. The leave can be used for “physical examinations, medical procedures, monitoring and testing, and discussions with a health care provider related to the pregnancy,” and can be taken in hourly increments. The paid prenatal leave requirement will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and only applies to private sector employers.
Paid Breaks for Breast Milk Expression
The final law amends Labor Law § 206-c and requires all private and public sector employers to provide 30 minutes of paid break time and allow employees to use other paid break or mealtime for time in excess of 30 minutes “each time such employee has reasonable need to express breast milk.” Given the “each time” language, it is conceivable an employee would be entitled to multiple paid breaks during a workday for this purpose. The paid breast milk expression mandate begins on June 19, 2024.
Paid COVID-19 Sick Leave
The budget bill repeals the Paid COVID-19 Sick Leave requirement—but not until next year. Paid COVID-19 Sick Leave continues to be the law of New York State until July 31, 2025.