Know your Rights.

The most important thing when preparing for maternity leave is knowing your rights. I have outlined a list of resources, which is the perfect place to get started. This state by state list inlcudes links to goverment websites that outline what you need to know as a working mom who is expecting a child.

Federal Resources:

1. U.S. Department of Labor - FMLA Overview (for federal Family and Medical Leave Act information)

2. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - Pregnancy Discrimination

California:

California offers up to 8 weeks of paid family leave benefits through the Employment Development Department (EDD) for new parents. It provides job protection under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and up to 4 months of Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) for pregnancy-related disabilities.

• California Employment Development Department (EDD) - Paid Family Leave

• California Department of Fair Employment and Housing - Pregnancy and Parental Leave

Colorado:

Colorado’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for bonding with a new child, with job protection and continuation of health benefits. The state’s laws also cover pregnancy-related discrimination.

• Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)

• Colorado Civil Rights Division - Pregnancy Discrimination

Connecticut:

Connecticut’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave for bonding with a new child, including job protection and continuation of health benefits. The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities enforces pregnancy discrimination laws.

• Connecticut Paid Leave Authority

• Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities - Pregnancy and Parenting

Illinois:

Illinois provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for pregnancy-related conditions under the Illinois Human Rights Act. It offers job protection under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but state-level paid leave is not available. The Department of Employment Security provides additional information on leave benefits.

• Illinois Department of Employment Security - Paid Leave Benefits

• Illinois Department of Human Rights - Pregnancy and Family Leave

Maryland:

Maryland offers job protection and continuation of health benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but it does not provide paid leave at the state level. Pregnancy-related discrimination is addressed by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.

• Maryland Labor - Family and Medical Leave

• Maryland Commission on Civil Rights - Pregnancy Discrimination

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave through the Paid Family and Medical Leave program, including job protection and health benefits. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination enforces laws protecting against pregnancy-related discrimination.

• Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave

• Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination - Pregnancy and Parenting

New Jersey:

New Jersey offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave through its Family Leave Insurance program for bonding with a new child, with job protection and continuation of health benefits. The New Jersey Family Leave Act also provides job protection, and pregnancy-related discrimination is covered by state anti-discrimination laws.

• New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Family Leave Benefits

• New Jersey Division on Civil Rights - Pregnancy Discrimination

New York:

New York provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave benefits through the state program, which includes bonding with a newborn. It offers job protection and continuation of health insurance benefits. Pregnancy-related job protections are also provided under the Human Rights Law.

• New York State Paid Family Leave

• New York State Department of Labor - Pregnancy and Parenting

Oregon:

Oregon’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave, including for bonding with a new child. Job protection and continuation of health benefits are included, and pregnancy discrimination is covered under state law.

• Oregon Employment Department - Paid Family and Medical Leave

• Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries - Pregnancy and Parenting

Washington:

Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave for bonding with a new child, with job protection and continuation of health insurance benefits. Pregnancy and parenting discrimination is addressed by the Human Rights Commission.

• Washington State Paid Family & Medical Leave

• Washington State Human Rights Commission - Pregnancy and Parenting

States Not Included:

Some states are not included due to the lack of state-specific paid leave programs or limited available information. For the most comprehensive and current details, it’s recommended to check local state resources or consult a labor lawyer.

If you know of great resources for other moms to learn more about their legal rights, please send me an email using the contact form!