Paid leave plays a critical role in promoting economic, gender, racial, and health justice. In 2026, thanks to several new laws taking effect, more workers than ever in the U.S. will have the right to take the time they need to care for themselves and their loved ones without fear of losing their income or jobs.
These updates are part of a groundswell of progress for both paid family and medical leave and paid sick time in recent years, even in traditionally conservative states.
Here are several new and newly expanded state and local paid leave laws taking effect in 2026 that you should know about:
As of January 1:
- Minnesota‘s paid family and medical leave program takes full effect
- Delaware‘s paid family and medical leave program takes full effect
- Colorado‘s expansion of its paid family and medical leave program to provide 12 additional weeks of leave for parents of babies in the NICU takes effect
- Pittsburgh‘s expansion of its paid sick time law to increase the number of hours of paid sick time a worker can earn and use takes effect
- Mississippi‘s new law providing paid parental leave for state government workers takes effect
- Tennessee‘s expansion of its public sector paid leave law to include end of life care for family members (in addition to parental leave) takes effect for state government workers
- Connecticut‘s paid sick time law covers more workers in smaller businesses (as part of a phased-in expansion)
- Washington State‘s paid family and medical leave program will provide expanded job protection to more workers (as part of a phased-in expansion)
And as of February 22, New York City’s expansion of its paid sick time law to allow workers to take sick time for more purposes – and to receive additional unpaid sick time immediately upon hire – takes effect.
This progress will make a world of difference for the health and economic security of workers nationwide. A Better Balance played a leading role in making these wins a reality, and we look forward to continuing to build upon this momentum in 2026.
To learn more about protections in your area, visit our state-by-state Workplace Rights Hub or call our free and confidential legal helpline at 1-833-NEED-ABB.