The New Jersey Paid Prenatal Personal Leave Act mandates that all employers in the state provide eligible employees with a minimum of 20 hours of paid prenatal personal leave each calendar year. This leave is specifically designated for health care services related to an employee's pregnancy, including medical appointments and discussions with health care providers. Both full-time and part-time employees are eligible, and the leave can be taken in one-hour increments, with compensation at the employee's regular pay rate. Importantly, employers are prohibited from penalizing or retaliating against employees for taking or requesting this leave, and they are not required to compensate for any unused leave upon the employee's separation from employment.

The bill also includes provisions for the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to establish rules and regulations for its implementation, including penalties for non-compliance by employers. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, allowing time for necessary administrative preparations.