New state law gives breastfeeding moms paid lactation breaks at work

Paid lactation breaks will soon be a reality in Washington state. A new law will give women returning to work after maternity leave new protections regardless of the size of their employer. 

Protections in place under the new law:

• Moms will have the right to paid time to express breast milk for two years after their child is born. 
• Employers will need to provide moms with a private location to pump (not a restroom). If they do not have a separate private space for moms to express breastmilk, they will need to work with the employee to find a place for pumping. 
• When moms pause from their job to express milk, any time to pump (and travel time to a pumping space) must be paid. Employers may not require moms to use lunch breaks or other paid time off when expressing milk.

In a news release, Rep. Nobles, the bill’s sponsor, said “This law is about dignity, fairness, and creating workplaces that meet people where they are. No one should have to choose between keeping their job and caring for their health or their baby...” 

The law in Washington will go into effect on January 1, 2027. You can read the full text  of the bill here. 

This breastfeeding mom is wearing a pleated peplum nursing tank top with hidden access for pumping. There are many other options with hidden nursing access. 

Other Protections for Pumping Moms at Work
Moms in all 50 states are covered under a federal law that protects women’s rights to pump breast milk at work. Under The Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for their nursing child for one year after the child's birth each time such employee has need to do so. Employees must also have have a place to pump at work, other than a restroom, that keeps them out of view and from being interrupted from other coworkers or the public. 

In December 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act into law. It includes the PUMP Act which gives more nursing employees the rights to have time to pump and a private place to do so at their place of work (not a bathroom).

You can read more here about who is covered under the PUMP Act and what to expect from your employer. 

These breastfeeding scrubs  for doctors, nurses and other medical professionals have built-in access for pumping on the go. This is another option for pumping moms in the medical field.