Should Publicly Accessible Federal Buildings Have a Lactation Room for Breastfeeding Moms? (H.R. 1174)

What is H.R. 1174?

(Updated August 11, 2020)

This bill would require federal buildings that are open to the public and have a public restroom to provide a lactation room that’s separate from the bathroom, is hygienic, and available for use by members of the public. The lactation room must be shielded from public view, be free from intrusion, and contain a chair, a working surface, and an electrical outlet (if the building has electricity). Breastfeeding women wouldn't be required to use the lactation room.

Under current law, the federal government is required to provide lactation rooms for federal workers.

Argument in favor

Breastfeeding mothers should have a clean, private lactation room available to them in federal buildings that are open to the public.

Argument opposed

Breastfeeding mothers can use a public restroom to nurse their child if they’d prefer to not breastfeed in a public space.

Impact

Breastfeeding mothers; federal buildings; and the federal government.

Cost of H.R. 1174

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced this bill to require that publicly accessible federal buildings have a lactation room:

“The benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented, and federal policy has long encouraged nursing. Considering millions of people visit federal sites across the country, and particularly here in the nation’s capital, visiting nursing mothers should also have access to dedicated lactation spaces they need to safely pump breastmilk for their newborns.  My bill does not require new federal funds or new or exclusive spaces to be permanently set aside only for lactation, only that space must be available as needed.”

This legislation has the support of three cosponsors in the House, including two Democrats and one Republican. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed this bill by voice vote.

Media:

• Sponsoring Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) Press Release
  
• National Law Review
  
• Washington Examiner (Previous Version)
  
• USA Today