Labor & Employment (Paid Leave)

This bill gradually increases the maximum paid family leave time New York employees can take annually. Starting in 2018, it expands leave from 8 weeks to a maximum of 26 weeks by 2021, with corresponding increases in benefit rates from 50% to 100% of the employee's average weekly wage (capped at state averages). It sets a minimum weekly benefit of $100, ensures full wage coverage for lower earners, and allows the superintendent of financial services to delay increases if needed for program stability. The bill directly affects eligible New York workers needing leave for family care, with concrete policy changes being the phased expansion of leave duration and benefit levels.

S 5991, the "LEAVE Act," requires most employers to provide paid sick leave and paid leave based on company size: small businesses (4+ employees with >$1M income) must offer 40 hours paid sick leave and 40 hours paid leave annually; mid-sized (5-99 employees) get 40 hours each; large businesses (100+) get 56 hours sick leave and 40 hours paid leave. Employees accrue leave at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, with protections covering medical needs, family care, and domestic violence situations (including safety planning and legal support). The bill also mandates 20 hours of paid prenatal leave annually starting in 2025, to be taken in hourly increments at the employee’s regular pay rate. It applies to all covered employers in the state and prohibits requiring confidential health disclosures as a condition for leave.