Late last night, leaders in Albany reached an agreement on a State budget bill that includes the strongest paid family leave program in the nation–up to 12 weeks, once fully phased in, of job-protected paid leave for workers facing a family health crisis or bringing a new child into the world. Legislators are expected to approve the budget as early as today, and the Governor will sign it soon thereafter. For more information on the details of the new law, see our one-page overview.
A Better Balance helped to lead the campaign, working tirelessly to ensure we had the strongest bill possible, as well as educating the public and policymakers on the law, serving as legal experts to the campaign, organizing workers, collecting petition signatures, and rallying business leaders.
After fighting for ten long years, we are thrilled to see our home state become the fourth in the nation to guarantee paid family leave by law, and the first to provide up to 12 weeks. New York’s landmark legislation will benefit millions of New York families, and enable workers to breathe more easily knowing they can pay the bills when they take time off to welcome a new child or care for an ailing loved one, and have a job to go back to after their leave.
This is also a giant step in our efforts to make paid family leave a reality for all Americans. ABB applauds Governor Cuomo for his bold leadership and thanks our champions in the legislature for their firm commitment to the wellbeing of New York’s women and families.
New York’s paid family leave law will go into effect January 1, 2018. In the meantime, A Better Balance will be hard at work:
- Partnering with state officials to draft comprehensive rules and regulations on the law;
- Beginning to educate New Yorkers about their rights under the law, and providing information to employers about their obligations;
- Answering workers’ questions about the law and their other rights through our free legal clinic; and
- Using the momentum of this victory to advance new paid family leave laws around the country.
As we celebrate ABB’s 10th anniversary year, one of our founding goals is now a reality. This law will impact over 6 million New Yorkers who currently lack access to paid family leave.
Please join us for a live webinar on April 13th as we delve into the details of New York’s new paid family leave law. Stay tuned for more details!
