What is the Parental leave policy in the United States?



Modified on: Wed, 7 Jan, 2026 at 2:59 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

In the United States, parental and pregnancy leave policies vary by state. While paid parental leave is not common nationwide, some states do offer paid options. This article provides an overview of the states where paid parental or pregnancy leave is available and what you need to know. 



California

  • Up to 8 weeks of paid leave for bonding or caring for a seriously ill child under the California Paid Family Leave insurance program.
  • Eligibility: 12 months of employment and at least 1,250 hours worked in the past year. 
  • Benefits cover up to 90% of wages for many low-income workers. 


Colorado

  • Up to 12 weeks of paid leave under the FAMLI program for childbirth, adoption, foster care, or caring for serious health conditions.
  • Additional 4 weeks of leave available for pregnancy or childbirth complications. 
  • Starting January 1, 2026, NICU parents may receive up to 24 weeks total (12 weeks bonding + 12 weeks NICU care). 


Connecticut

  • Up to 12 weeks of paid leave via the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (PFML) program.
  • Up to 14 weeks total allowed if incapacitation arises during pregnancy. 


District of Columbia

  • Up to 8 weeks of paid bonding leave and 2 weeks paid prenatal care leave. 

New Hampshire (effective Jan. 1, 2026)

  • All employees (regardless of seniority) are entitled to up to 25 hours per calendar year of unpaid leave per year to attend medical appointments related to childbirth, postpartum care, and pediatric care within the first year after birth or adoption.
  • This leave is job-protected, meaning employees cannot be terminated or penalized for taking it. 
  • Eligible employees can substitute accrued paid leave if they choose.
  • Applies to both full- and part-time staff, but not temporary or seasonal workers. Shared between parents if employed by the same employer. 

New Jersey

  • Up to 12 weeks in 24 months for family care under the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA).
  • Additionally, 1 hour of earned sick leave per 30 hours worked (up to 40 hours/year), usable for child care, health appointments, school events, or domestic/sexual violence support.


New York

  • Up to 12 weeks per year of paid family leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement (federal or state level) for employees with 26 consecutive weeks’ service.
  • 20 hours of paid prenatal leave is available during a 52-week period for prenatal appointments. 


Oregon

  • Up to 12 weeks of paid family leave for bonding with a new child in the first year.
  • Additional 2 weeks for pregnancy-related medical leave, totaling up to 14 weeks. 


Rhode Island

  • 8 weeks of paid family leave under Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI), for bonding or caring for a seriously ill family member.


Washington

  • Up to 12 weeks of paid family leave for bonding with a new child or caring for a serious health condition; birthing parents may get up to 16 weeks combined (including medical leave) and up to 18 weeks with complications. 


Wisconsin

  • No state-paid leave program, but employees are eligible for unpaid leave under the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act (WFMLA).
  • WFMLA allows 6 weeks unpaid leave for birth or adoption; 2 weeks for personal or family serious illness. 

Summary Table

State
Paid Leave
Duration & Conditions
NHNo25h unpaid for appointments (2026)
CAYes8 weeks bonding; 90% wage replacement
COYes12 weeks bonding; +4 weeks complications; NICU up to 24 weeks
CTYes12 weeks (up to 14 for pregnancy medical)
DCYes8 weeks bonding + 2 weeks prenatal
NJNo12 weeks unpaid; 1h sick for child/school/etc.
NYYes12 weeks family; 20h prenatal appointments
ORYes12 weeks bonding; +2 weeks pregnancy medical
RIYes8 weeks (starting 2026) bonding/family
WAYes12 weeks family; birthing up to 16-18 weeks
WINo6 weeks birth/adoption; 2 weeks serious illness

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