Maternity Protection (Child Bereavement) (Amendment) Bill 2026

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The bill would change maternity leave rules so that a pregnant employee or someone already on maternity leave can delay taking that leave if a child they care for dies. It allows the leave to be postponed for up to 52 weeks, with the timing and length of the delay supported by a medical certificate and notice to the employer. It also allows for one further postponement in some cases, while making clear that the same birth cannot be covered by both this special bereavement postponement and the existing postponement rules. In plain terms, it is meant to give grieving mothers more flexibility and time before starting or resuming maternity leave after the death of a child.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Maternity Protection Act 1994 to provide for postponement of maternity leave in the event of the death of a child of a relevant employee, and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 29 January 2026