A flurry of legislating has resulted in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signing close to 700 bills into law that affect paid family leave, the cost of insulin and even restaurant reservations, among other things.

As we leave 2024 behind, here’s a look at five laws that are set to change New Yorkers’ lives in 2025.

Paid prenatal leave takes effect

Tucked into Ms. Hochul’s budget this year was a provision expanding the state’s paid family leave law: Starting Jan. 1, employers must offer at least 20 hours of paid time off for pregnant employees to attend related medical appointments such as sonograms.

New York appears to be the first state to offer this form of time away from work. In arguing for the program, Ms. Hochul pointed to studies that show that mothers and children have improved health outcomes when they receive such prenatal care.

This benefit is separate from other forms of leave mandated by the state and federal government. Businesses of all sizes must offer it, and are prohibited from asking people who qualify to hand over medical information when they request the time off.

“No one should ever have to fear seeking care because of the costs it will impose or time missed from work,” Governor Hochul said in an statement in April when she announced the budget agreement.