The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, a groundbreaking new law extending the right to break time and a private space to pump milk during the workday to nearly all workers nationwide, is officially in full effect as of April 28th, 2023!
The PUMP Act almost entirely closes the coverage gap that previously had left 1 in 4 women of childbearing age (nearly 9 million women) without federal protection for break time and space to express milk on the job. The law’s full implementation also includes expanded remedies for violations of the law. Workers now have the right to file a lawsuit for monetary damages if their rights under the law are violated. Additionally, the law clarifies that pumping time counts as time worked when calculating minimum wage and overtime if an employee isn’t completely relieved from their work duties during the pumping break.
A Better Balance is proud to have led efforts to pass both the PUMP Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, two critical laws that will make a world of difference for millions of workers across the country by ensuring nobody will be forced to choose between their economic security and maintaining a healthy pregnancy and postpartum period and lactating on their own terms.
For more information on exercising your rights under the PUMP Act, visit our resource, Talking to Your Boss About Your Pump: Your Rights Under the Federal PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act.
