Last week the California Assembly passed a bill that, if signed into law, would mandate space be set aside for breast pumping in California airports.
California Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal introduced AB 1787. The bill cites existing law which requires employers to provide space for pumping milk other than a bathroom for the purpose of feeding an infant child. Similarly, the new law would require airports to set aside a room other than a bathroom with a “chair and an electrical outlet” for the purpose of pumping breast milk.
The new requirement initially only applies to large airports that have “more than 1,000,000 enplanements a year.” However, any airport with fewer than 1,000,000 enplanements is required to add such a room once the airport undergoes renovation or new construction.
If signed, the law would require the new space to be set aside by January 1, 2016.
Photo: Elaine Thompson/AP/File