A look at the law: Breast pumps in the workplace

What House Bill 613 says: “In order to foster the ability of a nursing mother who is an employee to use a breast pump in the workplace, an employer, including the state and its political subdivisions, shall provide: a space for using the breast pump that is clean and private; near the employee’s workspace; and not a bathroom; and flexible break times.

An employer shall not be liable for: storage or refrigeration of breast milk; payment for a nursing mother’s break time in addition to established employee breaks; or payment of overtime while a nursing mother is using a breast pump.”

Consequences: The new law does not spell out penalties or fines for employers that do not abide by the law. Workers who believe their rights are being violated could appeal for help from their employer’s human resources department or from union leaders, seek an injunction against their employer in court or contact the Attorney General’s Office.