The New York State Department of Labor is spotlighting a suite of resources aimed at supporting working mothers, as the state marks Mother’s Day with historic policy strides.
New York became the first state in the nation to mandate Paid Prenatal Leave, granting pregnant workers 20 hours of paid time off to attend medical appointments related to pregnancy. This includes care such as physical exams, testing, fertility treatments, and end-of-pregnancy visits.
“Governor Hochul knows firsthand the struggles of being a mother in the workforce,” said Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “That’s why the nation-leading policies she is implementing continue to build on the progress we’ve made to make workplaces as inclusive to mothers as possible.”
Alongside Paid Prenatal Leave, the state also offers Paid Family Leave. This program allows eligible employees up to 12 weeks of job-protected, paid time off to bond with a newborn, care for a seriously ill family member, or support loved ones during a military deployment. Leave can be taken in full or in daily increments.
New York also recently enacted a law requiring employers to provide 30 minutes of paid break time for breast milk expression for up to three years after childbirth. Additionally, a separate law allows pregnant individuals to enroll in health insurance without penalty and mandates insurance coverage for prenatal vitamins.
To reduce the financial strain of child care, Governor Hochul has expanded access to the Child Care Assistance Program. Her latest budget includes $2.2 billion to broaden child care availability and $110 million for building or renovating child care centers. The budget also boosts the Child Tax Credit to record levels.
The Department of Labor further offers services through its Career Centers to help mothers advance or re-enter the workforce. These centers provide career counseling, a Salary Negotiation Guide, and access to registered apprenticeships. Through a partnership with Coursera, job seekers can also take free online courses.
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