German Lawmakers Advance Expanded Maternity Protections for Miscarriages

A bipartisan agreement in the Bundestag aims to provide earlier and tiered maternity leave for women experiencing miscarriages before the 24th week of pregnancy.

• The German Bundestag is set to pass a law expanding maternity protections for women who experience miscarriages, with a vote expected before the February 23 federal election.
• Under current law, maternity leave only applies after the 24th week of pregnancy; the new legislation introduces protections starting from the 13th week.
• The proposed tiered system grants increasing recovery periods depending on the stage of pregnancy, addressing health and emotional needs of affected women.
• The legislation has broad support from SPD, Greens, FDP, and CDU/CSU, marking a rare bipartisan consensus on the issue.
• Advocates and activists, including those behind a successful petition, played a key role in pushing for the reforms to close this legal gap.

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