NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7989
SPONSOR: Solages TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
mandating the provision of lactation accommodations in airports
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require airports to provide a nursing space for breast-
feeding mothers behind the security screening area equipped with a chair
and an electrical outlet away from public view.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
On or before January 1, 2017, requires the airport manager of an airport
operated by a city, county, city and county, or airport district that
conducts commercial operations and that yields more than 1,000,000
enplanements a year, shall provide a room or a separate designated
location at each airport terminal behind the airport security screening
area for members of the public to express breast milk in private that:
(1) Includes at minimum, a chair and an electrical outlet; and
(2) Is located outside of the confines of a public restroom. Provides
that an airport that conducts commercial operations with fewer than
1,000,000 enplanements a year shall comply with the provisions of the
Act upon new terminal construction or the replacement, expansion, or
renovation of an existing terminal.
JUSTIFICATION:
One of the greatest struggles for breastfeeding mothers is the lack of
accommodations to express milk and feed their children in public places.
Women have lobbied and fought for years to establish lactation rooms in
their places of employment and public facilities. Only recently have
states begun to pass laws that help ensure that mothers have a private
place to nurse their children and pump breast milk.
This bill seeks to make New York's airports nursing friendly and to
build public accommodation for breastfeeding mothers.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
