New York employers: Nursing mothers in New York will soon have the right to take paid breaks to pump breast milk during work hours. Starting June 19, 2024, New York must provide paid 30-minute breaks to employees for the purpose of expressing breast milk.
Under the New York State Labor Law, employers are already required to provide reasonable unpaid break time. The new legislation, which was recently signed by Governor Kathy Hochul as part of New York State’s budget for fiscal year 2025, will amend the Labor Law to require paid 30-minute pumping breaks each time an employee has a reasonable need to express breast milk.
Employees may also use their existing paid break time when breaks longer than 30 minutes are needed. Prepare now to be ready for compliance with the law by June 19.