Labor and Public Employees Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5158
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING BREASTFEEDING IN THE WORKPLACE.
Vote Date: 2/18/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/9/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Labor & Public Employees Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
Many businesses do not provide adequate areas for breastfeeding mothers to express their
milk.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None submitted.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
ALISE P., TERRYVILLE, CT RESIDENT
Her testimony told of her experience as a nursing mother while working in a hospital lab. She
was told to pump breastmilk in the bathroom, which she said is against the law. She was told
to "punch out" of work every time. To avoid infection caused by not pumping, she had to
pump twice during a 4-6 hour shift. Each time was for 15 - 30 minutes. Nursing mothers who
were employed as nurses did not have to punch out. When she contacted human resources,
she was told there were different policies for each department. She eventually had to quit her
job.
BRIAN ANDERSON, LEGISLATIVE COORDIINATOR, COUNCIL 4, AFSME
Many women in low income jobs do not have the ability to take sufficient time off to bond with
their babies. Physically and mentally heathy children is a goal that benefits our society.
CHRO, COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
CHRO suggests the bill be amended to include language defining "reasonable break time".
The pandemic we are experiencing identified concerns of virtual contamination of the
breastmilk. This is an issue that can be addressed by providing a well-ventilated room. The
language referring to 'no undue hardship' is unnecessary since this already exists in the
current statute.
BEVERLY BREAKMAN, REGIONAL DIRECTOR UNITED AUTO WORKERS, REGION A
One of the hardest decisions a new mother faces is whether to return to work. Medical
experts agree breastfeeding benefits the health of both mother and baby, and they
recommend doing this for at least 6 months to the first year. Many employers don't offer a
clean, private place or the electrical outlets necessary to operate breast pumps. If not
expressed frequently, the body's ability to produce milk decreases and causes intense pain
as well as the risk for infection. If employers provided a safe, clean and private space for
working new mothers, they would find these experienced employees would be more apt to
return to work.
SUSAN EASTWOOD, BOARD MEMBER, PERMANENT COMMISSION ON THE STATUS
OF WOMEN
This bill improves the current law by requiring employers to provide a private space, have an
electrical outlet for breast pumps, and a refrigerator to store the milk. By deciding to
breastfeed, there are many health benefits for both mother and baby. We must remove barrie
rs that make it difficult for these mothers.
MADELINE GRANATO, POLICY DIRECTOR, CT WOMEN'S EDUCATION AND LEGAL FU
ND (CWEALF)
Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits not only for the child, but also reduces the risk of
breast and ovarian cancer and types of diabetes. Many low-income and women of color still
lack the support needed to continue breastfeeding their children. Many must return to work
soon after giving birth. The current law requires employers to allow sufficient time to express
breastmilk. This bill strengthens existing practices. Parents should not have to choose
between breastfeeding and continuing to work to support their families.
LIZ GUSTAFSON, STATE DIRECTOR, NARAL, PRO-CHOICE
More advantaged mothers have already met or exceeded the goals associated with
breastfeeding, but low-income, and women of color, lack the support needed. This is also an
issue of racial and economic justice. The decision to breastfeed often depends heavily on
workplace environments. We must support those who are
making this investment in their children.
AMANDA KALLENLL, CT SECTION, ACOG
They recommend all workplaces adopt policies to promote supportive environments for
women who are breastfeeding. Policies are required that enable women to incorporate
breastfeeding into their daily lives. and in the workplace, including sufficient break time and a
clean, private location for expressing milk.
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KELLY McCONNEY MOORE, INTERN, SENIOR POLICY COUNCIL, ACLU UNION OF CT
The bill's requirements for an adequate pumping place for expressing milk, privacy, access to
cold storage and an electrical outlet, all support breastfeeding parents and make it more likely
they will return to work. The bill is strengthened further by removing the gender pronouns and
replacing them with gender-neutral pronouns since nonbinary people and trans men also
breastfeed. Protecting the right to breastfeed is a fundamental decision necessary for
reproductive justice.
POLLY MORAN, CERTIFIED NURSE-
MIDWIFE, LEGISLATIVE LIASON OF CT, AFFILIATE OF AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NUR
SE MIDWIVES
She has practiced nurse-midwifery for over 25 years and has been dedicated to promoting
healthy decision-making. The benefits of breastfeeding are well documented. There are
numerous economic benefits for both employers and employees. Access to better protections
for all nursing women can help ease disparities and help reach the goals set by the Surgeon
General in 2010.
MICHELLE NOEHREM, SELF
She applauds the committee's goals for modernizing the current breastfeeding in the
workplace statute. These changes will help breastfeeding employees have the space, privacy
and mechanics they need.
GRETCHEN RAFFA, SENIOR DIRECTOR, PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN
NEW ENGLAND
As advocates for reproductive freedom, they testified their concerns about all aspects of a
woman's life, including those that affect her economic stability. The USA has one of the
lowest breastfeeding initiation rates among industrialized nations. Women with children are
the fastest growing segments of the workforce. Balancing work and family are an important
priority for all employees. Nearly 2 of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the
recommended 6 months. This rate has not changed in 20 years. There is a disparity among
who actually is breastfeeding, with 85% of white mothers and 69% of black mothers. Many
low wage employees cannot afford to take extended leave to care for a new baby. Everything
possible should be done to make caring for children easier.
RAY ROSSOMANDO, DIRECTOR OF POLICY, CT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
They commend the work already done on this issue. but recommended much more be done
to address the problems of mothers who are teachers. Teachers can't take breaks at times of
their choice or choose when to take lunch, which is often spent with children. As a result, 1/4
of the teacher surveys said finding a time and place to express milk was difficult. They
suggest adding language for addressing these concerns further.
KATE FARRAR, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 20 ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
CAROLINE SIMMONS, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 114TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Their testimony said despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to breastfeed for at least the first 6 months of a baby's life, 79% of moms start
breastfeeding but that number drops to 57% at 6 months and just 25% stop at 12 months.
Research has linked breastfeeding rates to income levels and socioeconomic status. It is
troubling and unfair. The new provisions in this bill will not only improve public
health but will benefit the economy as well.
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STACY ZIMMERMAN, SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
He supports all the agenda items. Passage of these bills would stabilize workplaces and
address both long-standing and COVID-19 related employee issues.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
No opposition testimony was submitted
Reported by: Marie Knudsen, Assistant Clerk Date: 3/7/2021
Page 4 of 4 HB-5158


Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 31-40w
LAB Joint Favorable: 31-40w
File No. 17: 31-40w
Public Act No. 21-27: 31-40w