Lactation Accommodations

Local Law 185 and Local Law 186 (both passed in 2018) require that employers provide employees with lactation accommodations, including a lactation room where employees can pump/express breast milk, and reasonable time to pump/express breast milk.

Employers are also required to have a written lactation policy that meets certain requirements under the law. This policy must be provided to all new employees, posted in the workplace, and posted on an employer's intranet if one exists. Local Law 109 (effective May 8, 2025) added the posting requirements. The NYC Commission on Human Rights has developed several model lactation accommodation policies and a request form.

Model Lactation Accommodation Policies

The NYC Commission on Human Rights created the following model policies:

• A policy for workplaces with dedicated lactation room(s);
• A policy for workplaces with a multi-purpose space, other than a restroom, that may be used as a lactation room; and
• A policy for workplaces with no available space for a lactation room.

Employers may use the version of the model policy that is most applicable to their workplace.

Resources

Model Lactation Accommodation Request Form

Lactation Accommodations:  What NYC Employers Need to Know

Pregnancy Discrimination Legal Enforcement Guidance

Pregnancy Employment Notice

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Protections Under NYS Labor Law