Are you a New York worker who is planning to adopt or foster a child? If so, you may be eligible to take up to 8 weeks of paid family leave to bond with your child starting in January 2018.
New York’s new paid family leave law will give most people who work in New York State the right to take paid time off, without risking their job or health insurance, when a new child joins their family. Adoptive and foster parents can take bonding leave at any point within the first 12 months after their child’s placement. This includes families who are welcoming children of any age. If a new child joins your family before January 1, 2018, you can still take paid family leave after January 1, so long as you take your leave within 12 months of the child’s placement.
You also may be able to take paid family leave prior to your child’s formal placement in order to facilitate the adoption or placement. For example, if you need to meet with an attorney or social worker or need to travel to another country to complete the adoption, you may be able to take paid family leave. If your child has two parents, each parent (of any gender) has the right to up to 8 weeks of paid family leave.
For more information on New York’s paid family leave law, visit us online or call our free and confidential hotline at 1-833-NEED-ABB.
This blog post is part of an on-going series of know-your-rights information on New York’s paid family leave law. This post does not address all aspects of the law and does not constitute legal advice.
