ALBANY, N.Y. — More than 10,000 full-time state employees in New York became eligible for 12 weeks of paid parental leave Tuesday to spend time with a newborn, fostered or adopted child who becomes part of the family, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in a new policy bulletin.

The employees, who must work full-time or at least 50% part-time, could take leave beginning Tuesday. They were previously ineligible for the benefit.

"The dedicated New Yorkers who keep our state moving should not be forced to choose between a paycheck and caring for their child, and this policy will establish New York State as a model for helping working families," Hochul said in a prepared statement. "My administration is committed to giving our public servants the support they need because it's not only good for their families, it's good policy."

The governor worked with the state Office of Employee Relations and Department of Civil Service to implement the program, and announced the initiatve in her State of the State address in January. The departments will work to negotiate with state labor unions to further expand the program to more employees.

"Paid parental leave will make a significant difference to working families by helping parents care for their children without the fear of losing a paycheck," Office of Employee Relations Director Michael Volforte said. "Under Gov. Hochul's leadership, I look forward to working with our union partners to extend fully paid parental leave to the New York State workforce."

Paid parental leave allows parents to bond with their new child, time to physically and mentally recover and sustain employment and economic security. The U.S. is the only developed country without fully paid parental leave for new parents and caregivers. 

"Offering paid parental leave to New York state's workforce will truly help our hardworking public servants provide for their children and foster strong familial bonds," New York State Civil Service Commissioner Timothy Hogues said. 

New York enacted the the statewide Paid Family Leave law in 2016. Hochul signed legislation in 2021 expanding the law to include caring for a seriously ill sibling.