Hey! Look what Congress Did!

Good news, Dear Boobjuicers and Friends!

Did you know that federal law now requires pumping breaks? Below are the relevant paragraphs of a 900+ page bill which passed in April, most of which has nothing to do with this (for full document, see: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ148.111.pdf):

(Emphasis added)

SEC. 4207. REASONABLE BREAK TIME FOR NURSING MOTHERS.
Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
207) is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(r)(1) An employer shall provide—
‘‘(A) a reasonable break time for an employee to express
breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s
birth each time such employee has need to express the milk;
and
‘‘(B) a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from
view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public,
which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.
‘‘(2) An employer shall not be required to compensate an
employee receiving reasonable break time under paragraph (1) for
any work time spent for such purpose.
‘‘(3) An employer that employs less than 50 employees shall
not be subject to the requirements of this subsection, if such requirements
would impose an undue hardship by causing the employer
significant difficulty or expense when considered in relation to
the size, financial resources, nature, or structure of the employer’s
business.
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‘‘(4) Nothing in this subsection shall preempt a State law that
provides greater protections to employees than the protections provided
for under this subsection.’’.


This is a great country and if we keep working at it, soon it will be a much more boobjuice-friendly country. This is a step in the right direction. Hurray!

Much Love,
Suzi