New York State Broadens Paid Family Leave to Allow Caring for Siblings

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation expanding the state's Paid Family Leave Law to allow caring for a sibling with a serious health condition. Under the current law, employees can take up to 12 weeks of job-protected, paid leave to care for spouses, domestic partners, children and step-children, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, and grandchildren with a serious health condition.

The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2023, and expands the definition of "family member" to include siblings, specifically biological siblings, adopted siblings, step-siblings, and half-siblings. Accordingly, employers have some time before they should begin reviewing and revising personnel policies related to Paid Family Leave to account for the expanded permitted uses.