Paid Family Leave in New York Expands to Include Siblings

New Yorkers guaranteed paid time off to bond with a new child or care for an ailing relative will soon no longer be limited to caring for a spouse, children, parents, in-laws, grandparents and grandchildren.

A bill that expands New York’s Paid Family Leave law to include caring for siblings has been signed into law.

Governor Kathy Hochul signed the legislation (S.2928-A/A.06098-A) November 1, that allows up to 12 weeks off at 67 percent of their pay off for caregivers taking care of loved ones that will, starting January 1, 2023 include biological siblings, adopted siblings, step and half-siblings who don’t have to live in the state or country but provide care for family.

Hochul’s office says under the current law, employees can’t take leave to care for a sibling with a serious health condition.

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The Democrat said, “Taking care of your family is a basic human right, no one should have to choose between caring for a loved one and a paycheck.”