Photo: Getty Images
Governor Kathy Hochul has initiated a statewide campaign to raise awareness about the state's paid prenatal leave policy, which will come into effect on January 1, 2025. The campaign aims to inform eligible New Yorkers and businesses about the policy, particularly pregnant women facing economic challenges.
The policy, signed into law by Governor Hochul in April, allows workers to take up to 20 hours of paid time off for any pregnancy-related medical appointments. The campaign will begin with the unveiling of transit ads and will be followed by social media outreach, a virtual media tour, and more.
The paid prenatal leave policy is part of Governor Hochul's efforts to address the maternal mortality crisis. She has signed two new laws to increase resources available for pregnant mothers, expanding the information available to expectant mothers and expanding Medicaid coverage to certain telemedicine procedures.
According to the official website of New York State, studies show that prenatal health care is highly correlated with improved health outcomes for mothers and infants. Pregnant mothers who have access to regular prenatal medical visits are less likely to die in childbirth, and their newborns are more likely to be healthy.
The paid prenatal leave policy is the first of its kind in the nation making New York the first state in the country to provide paid prenatal care leave, according to Employment Law Watch.