Governor Hochul announces expansion of fully paid parental leave program for state employees

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul has announced an expansion of New York’s initiative to offer 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave benefits to more than 80 percent of the state workforce.

This means that the majority of State workers will have access to this crucial benefit for the first time in State history, the Governor says. “No one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for their newborn child,” Hochul said.

“In my State of the State, I put forward a nation-leading proposal to offer fully paid parental leave benefits to New York State employees — and today we are making good on that promise. By extending fully paid parental leave to over 80 percent of State employees, New York is leading by example and providing a critical line of support for hardworking families."

One agreement is secured among three of the largest state unions involved with this push.

The remaining pair of contract agreements lie with the Public Employees Federation and the United University Professions. If ratified, workers will be eligible to receive 12 weeks of fully paid leave to use for bonding with a newborn, fostered, or adopted child.

Once the union contracts are ratified, more than 140,000 union employees will join the 10,000 unrepresented New York State employees who became eligible following a February policy bulletin by Governor Hochul. 

Image via the Office of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.