Big news on expanding the California Labor Code and Health and Safety Code to require additional lactation accommodation for employees.
Under a new Lactation law, effective January 1, 2020, lactation space must be
- shielded from view;
- free from intrusion;
- located in close proximity to employee’s work area;
- safe, clean, and free of toxic or hazardous materials;
- provide a place to sit and a surface for a pump and personal items;
- have access to electricity, and have access to a sink and refrigerator.
If a multi-purpose room is used as the lactation space, then its use as a lactation space must take precedence. The new law also required employers to develop a lactation accommodation policy.
This is a reminder to review your existing policies and facilities to determine whether they will comply with the new law.
Certainly, any newly developed policy should be incorporated into employee handbooks this year!
