Paid prenatal leave requirement starting next month

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---Soon pregnant employees won’t have to worry about missing out on money while receiving prenatal care.

"January 1, New York will be the first state in the nation to require employers to provide the time off, up to 20 hours during the pregnancy. This will help over 136,000 pregnant women who now don’t have to worry about losing money," said Governor Kathy Hochul.

The 20 hours of paid time will be in addition to the paid sick leave employees already have. Dr. Jim Saperstone, a pediatrician, said prenatal appointments are important. 

"Just the stress alone of having to work five days a week and be under the gun with your supervisor and deadlines can affect the growth of the fetus, can affect the health of the mom," explained Dr. Saperstone. "So, if mom knows she has a safety net where she can go whenever she needs to without any concern about ramifications and get paid for it, it’s great for everybody."

The governor said New York employers have been made aware of the policy.

"We’ve been getting the word out through our Department of Labor," explained Hochul. "They have in contact with all the employers, and now it’s about making sure the employees know. We are going to have signs on the subway stations and buses and everywhere we can reach people and I’m asking the media to help get the word out as well to know your rights."