Over at the Motherwear’s Breastfeeding Blog I learned of an extension on the new Health Care Bill that gives mothers in the United States the right to express breast milk at work. The requirement for this allowance applies to all employers of 50 employees or more. Here is a portion of the bill:
…provide 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 do so. The employer shall make reasonable efforts to provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk. An employer shall not be required to compensate an employee for any work time spent for such purpose.
This portion of the bill is a HUGE step forward, but to put that year time limit on it is a baby step backwards. Overall, I am thrilled, though. This is great news.
