The Women’s Foundation received a Pritzker Family Foundation grant to research the New Hampshire Paid Family and Medical Leave program and to engage with other states considering policy, program, and advocacy options for paid leave. Through this grant, we supported the publication of the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy brief “The New Hampshire Voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave Program: Did the program increase coverage?” written by Kristin Smith, PhD. We also presented to, met with, and exchanged ideas with many other state advocates on paid leave efforts.
We know it’s imperative to have the data and facts in order to improve systems for more equitable working conditions for women.
Key Findings from the Report:
- In December 2024, 61% of New Hampshire Workers had paid medical leave, 38 percent had paid parental leave, and 28% had paid family medical leave benefits.
- About 3% of New Hampshire workers were enrolled in the NH Voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program by June 2025. The NH PFML program did little at the state level to increase overall paid family medical leave benefits and maintained existing inequities in coverage.
- Fewer than one in five New Hampshire workers had heard of the NH PFML program between 2022 and 2024.
