BILL NUMBER: S8542
SPONSOR: WEBB
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the
department of health, in conjunction with other state agencies, to
establish and maintain a directory webpage locating publicly accessible
lactation accommodations in state-owned and state-leased buildings
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation will direct the department of health to develop and
maintain a webpage that assists people in locating the nearest publicly
accessible lactation room in state-owned buildings.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the public health law by a new section that creates a
webpage that provides a statewide directory of all lactation rooms in
state-owned and leased buildings.
Section 2 - Establishes effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The state of New York allows for the expression of breastfeeding, or
pumping milk in any setting, whether public or private. According to the
2025 Department of Health's report on Breastfeeding Disparities, many
mothers have cited that they do not breastfeed in public due to the
stress, shame, guilt, and embarrassment of public exposure. This, in
addition to the difficulty in locating private places to feed may inhib-
it a mother's breastfeeding success (NYSDOH, 2025).
This legislation would require the Department of Health, in conjunction
with other state agencies, to create a dedicated webpage to easily
locate lactation spaces in publicly accessible state-owned or leased
buildings. This would help parents on the go be able to quickly and
easily locate a safe, private space for them to pump or feed, and help
ensure the State continues its commitment to birthing parents by making
it easier for them to breastfeed their children without running into
logistical challenges.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Effective immediately.