The Break Time for Nursing Mothers law, passed in 2010, requires employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space for breastfeeding employees to pump during the work day. While this was an important step, nearly one in four women of childbearing age were not covered by the Break Time law.
The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (S. 1658/H.R. 3110), signed into law on December 29, 2022, makes several important changes to this landmark legislation:
- Provides the right to break time and space to pump breast milk at work to millions more workers, including teachers and nurses
- Makes it possible for workers to file a lawsuit to seek monetary remedies in the event that their employer fails to comply
- Clarifies that pumping time must be paid if an employee is not completely relieved from duty
The legislation went into effect immediately when it was signed, however, the enforcement provision included a 120-day delay, making the effective date for that provision April 28, 2023. In addition, there is a 3-year delay in the implementation of the protections for railway workers. Unfortunately, due to significant industry opposition, the law does not apply to flight attendants and pilots.
The PUMP Act is the first standalone breastfeeding bill to receive a recorded vote on the House and Senate floors. The bill received incredible support from policymakers on both sides of the aisle, demonstrating that breastfeeding is truly a bipartisan issue. Thank you and congratulations to the myriad individuals and organizations who have taken action across the years on this important legislation!
Read the USBC statement on the passage of the PUMP Act to learn more about this historic legislation.