When a baby requires intensive care after birth, no parent should have to ask, “Can I afford to be here?” But in the U.S., many parents do — especially in the majority of states that don’t guarantee any form of paid leave.
That’s why Colorado’s newly signed Neonatal Care Leave law is such a milestone. Starting in 2026, parents in Colorado will be able to take an additional 12 weeks of paid leave if their newborn requires care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The law ensures parents don’t have to drain their bonding leave while their baby is hospitalized — giving them the time to be present during a vulnerable and critical window.
It’s a landmark policy in the U.S. — and a reminder of how far behind the country still is compared to the rest of the world.
What Colorado’s New Law Offers
Under the new law, parents whose babies require NICU care will:
- Receive 12 extra weeks of paid leave on top of the existing 12 weeks of bonding leave already available through Colorado’s FAMLI program.
- Be able to prioritize their child’s health without sacrificing income or job security.
- Benefit from a reduced payroll premium for all workers (dropping from 0.9% to 0.88% in 2026).
This is the first law of its kind in the United States — but it echoes policies that are already standard in much of the world.
How the U.S. Compares to Global Leaders in Parental Leave
While Colorado makes progress, the U.S. still lacks a national paid parental leave policy. Let’s look at how countries like Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Bulgaria treat parental leave:
Canada
- Up to 18 months of combined parental leave is available.
- Benefits include 55% of average weekly earnings for up to 40 weeks (shared between parents) or lower payments spread over a longer period.
- Offers job protection and flexibility to accommodate NICU stays or premature births.
Sweden
- Parents receive 480 days (about 16 months) of paid leave, shared between both parents.
- About 390 days are paid at 80% of salary, with the remainder at a flat rate.
- Parents can take temporary parental leave when a child is ill or hospitalized.
Norway
- Offers 49 weeks at 100% pay or 59 weeks at 80% pay, which parents can divide.
- Fathers are entitled to a dedicated 15 weeks of paternity leave, and there’s flexibility to delay or extend leave in the case of NICU stays or complications.
- Hospitalization of the child allows for postponement or extension of leave to make sure parents are able to use the full benefit.
Bulgaria
- One of the most generous systems in the world.
- Mothers receive 410 days of paid maternity leave, starting 45 days before birth, at 90% of average income.
- After that, parents can take paid parental leave until the child turns two.
- Fathers are also entitled to paternity leave, and NICU-related delays can be accommodated through extensions and transfers of leave.
United States
- At the federal level, only unpaid leave is offered — up to 12 weeks through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
- Most workers are not covered or can’t afford to take unpaid time.
- Paid leave depends entirely on employer policies or state-level programs, and few account for special circumstances like NICU care.
Why Colorado’s Step Forward Is So Significant
For parents like Rep. Yara Zokaie — who co-sponsored the bill after her own NICU experience — the law is deeply personal.
“At that time where I should’ve been able to be fully present… I was working to make sure we could make rent,” she said.
Her story isn’t unique. Nationwide, families are forced to choose between a paycheck and being present for a baby fighting for survival. And until now, no U.S. state had created a benefit designed specifically for these situations.
With the new law, Colorado is the first in the nation to recognize the emotional and financial burden that NICU parents face — and to legislate support accordingly.
A Model for Other States — But Still No Federal Action
The new benefit will be implemented as part of Colorado’s FAMLI program in 2026, and public hearings are expected this fall to finalize how parents can apply.
It’s an important move, but one that applies only to Coloradans. Parents in other states will still be subject to the patchwork of inconsistent employer policies, unpaid leave, or no support at all.
And while countries like Bulgaria or Norway treat parental leave as a fundamental right, in the U.S., your zip code often determines how much — if any — support you’ll receive after giving birth.
Parental leave is about more than policies and paperwork. It’s about giving families the time, space, and support to care for their newborns — especially when things don’t go according to plan.
Colorado’s neonatal leave expansion is a compassionate shift in how we treat new parents. But until the U.S. as a whole commits to guaranteeing paid leave for all families, it will continue to fall short of the global standard.
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