Prenatal care is the cornerstone of a healthy pregnancy. Currently, many Pennsylvania mothers are forced to choose between attending essential medical appointments or preserving their wages and job security. The lack of adequate prenatal care is a primary driver of preventable, tragic outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, and infant.
Pennsylvania mothers deserve a guaranteed bank of paid prenatal leave to attend essential medical appointments. These hours may be used for prenatal appointments, screenings, consultations, and related travel, without penalizing their wages, benefits eligibility, seniority, and workplace protections.
As our commonwealth continues to invest in the health of our moms and babies, it is imperative that they have greater access to utilize these medically essential resources.
The Banked Use for Maternity Protection Act (BUMP Act) would do the following:

• 24 hours of paid prenatal leave per pregnancy
• Clear employer responsibilities
• Anti-retaliation protections
• A hardship exemption process for small businesses
• Enforcement by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
• Funding through the reallocation of existing corporate welfare expenditures, with no new taxes

By ensuring that pregnant workers can access routine prenatal care without the financial penalty, the BUMP Act promotes healthier pregnancies, reduces long-term healthcare costs, and supports a more equitable and productive workforce.