The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 345, aims to enhance workplace protections for breastfeeding employees and establish a task force to study heat safety standards in the workplace. Key changes include mandating that employers provide reasonable break times for employees to express breast milk or breastfeed at their workplace, replacing the previous discretionary language. Employers are also required to make reasonable efforts to provide a private space for this purpose, which must be free from intrusion and equipped with necessary amenities such as refrigeration. Additionally, the bill prohibits discrimination against employees exercising these rights.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the definition of "hours worked" to include time spent in security screenings required by employers, ensuring that such time is compensated. It also establishes a task force to investigate and recommend heat safety standards for workplaces, comprising various appointed members from the General Assembly and relevant organizations. The task force is tasked with submitting its findings by January 1, 2027, and will dissolve upon submission of its report. The effective date for the breastfeeding provisions and the hours worked definition changes is set for October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-40w