New York joining states requiring paid family leave

ALBANY, N.Y. — At the start of the new year, New York is joining California, New Jersey and Rhode Island in requiring employers to give workers paid time off to care for a new baby or a sick loved-one.

In New York, the benefit is funded by employee payroll deductions.

The new benefits will apply to 6.4 million private-sector workers and will phase in over four years.

In 2018, workers will be able take up to eight weeks of paid leave and receive 50 percent of their average wage, up to a cap weekly cap of $652.

When the phase-in is complete in 2021, they'll be able to take up to 12 weeks at two-thirds of their average weekly wage.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the policy into law in last year.