Donate
New Democracy Maps
/Equality Maps /Family Leave Laws

Family Leave Laws

State family leave laws govern whether a person can take leave from work to care for their spouse or partner. Definitions of spouse or partner can be narrow (only including those in legally-recognized relationships), or they can be broad (including those even if not in a legally-recognized relationship). 
United States Map
Washington New York U.S. Virgin Islands Puerto Rico Guam Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands American Samoa New Hampshire Vermont Virginia Pennsylvania New York Maine West Virginia Ohio Kentucky Indiana Michigan Illinois Wisconsin North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Georgia Florida Mississippi Missouri Arkansas Louisiana Iowa Minnesota Oklahoma Kansas Nebraska South Dakota North Dakota Texas 33 Colorado Wyoming Montana Idaho Arizona Utah Nevada Oregon California Hawaii Alaska Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New Jersey Delaware Maryland Washington D.C. New Hampshire Vermont
The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires certain employers to provide unpaid leave for employees to care for their or certain family members’ health or obligations. State laws may provide additional benefits or requirements, including that such leave be paid.
  • Law grants workers leave to care for a partner, even if couple is not in a legally recognized relationship (13 states + D.C.)
  • Law grants workers leave to care for a partner, but only if couple is in a legally recognized relationship (5 states, 1 territory)
  • State lacks leave law (32 states, 4 territories)
  • State leave law includes pay during time off (15 states + D.C.)

Citations & More Information
Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project.  "Equality Maps: Family Leave Laws." https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/fmla_laws. Accessed 07/03/2025.

*Note: Some cities and counties (below) have passed local sick or family leave laws. These vary considerably in scope, coverage, and definitions. For more information on the specifics of these laws, visit A Better Balance.

Berkeley, CA
Emeryville, CA
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Oakland, CA
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Chicago, IL
Cook County, IL
Montgomery County, MD
Minneapolis, MN
St. Paul, MN

Bloomfield, NJ
East Orange, NJ
Elizabeth, NJ
Irvington, NJ
Jersey City, NJ
Montclair, NJ
Morristown, NJ
Newark, NJ
Passaic, NJ
Paterson, NJ
Plainfield, NJ
Trenton, NJ

New York City, NY
Portland, OR
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Seatac, WA
Seattle, WA 
Spokane, WA
Tacoma, WA
Milwaukee, WI

Percent of Adult LGBTQ Population Covered by Laws

*Note: These percentages reflect estimates of the LGBTQ adult population living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Estimates of the LGBTQ adult population in the five inhabited U.S. territories are not available, and so cannot be reflected here.

40%

40 % of LGBTQ population lives in states with a law granting workers leave to care for a partner, even if couple is not in a legally recognized relationship

3%

3 % of LGBTQ population lives in states where workers can take leave to care for a partner, but only if the couple is in a legally recognized relationship

57%

57 % of LGBTQ population lives in states lacking leave law

40%

40 % of LGBTQ population lives in states that provide pay during time off



Data current as of 07/03/2025
This map is powered by

Stay Informed

Be the first to know about new reports and MAP news by signing up for our newsletter

Democracy Maps

Equality Maps

Policy

Communications

Open to All

About

A Brief Overview of MAP

Founded in 2006, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent, nonprofit think tank that provides rigorous research, insight and communications that help speed equality and opportunity for all.

MAP works to ensure that all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life. MAP is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and donations to MAP are 100% tax-deductible. You can read more about MAP and the work we do on our About page.

Get in Touch

Get Social

Copyright © 2025 Movement Advancement Project