Breastfeeding in Public
Under New Jersey law, a mother can breastfeed her baby in public places where she is otherwise allowed to be. These include parks, libraries, malls, restaurants, doctor’s offices, restaurants and more. If you feel that your right to breastfeeding in public has been violated, you can report it to your local health department which can charge a fine against the owner or manager of the public space. P.L.1997, c.101.
Download this card from the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition to carry with you in case your public breastfeeding rights are violated:
Some public facilities and offices, including hospitals, federal health clinics and NJ Family Care offices, must provide lactation rooms and signs informing the public about these rooms. P.L. 2019, c. 242
Insurance and Medicaid Coverage for Breastfeeding Supplies and Lactation Support
Most health plans including New Jersey Family Care must cover a double electric breast pump and pumping supplies without any cost to you. P.L.2019, c. 343 See When You Need to Pump for more information on selecting and using a breast pump.
In addition, most health plans including New Jersey Family Care must also cover the cost of breastfeeding consultation and counseling. This breastfeeding support may be one-on-one or in a group and in-person or virtual. P.L.2019, c. 343
Breastfeeding in the Workplace
Under New Jersey law, all employers* must provide breastfeeding workers with:
- Reasonable break time; and
- A private place to pump breast milk that is close to the employee’s work area and is not a bathroom.
P.L. 2017, C. 263 *Federal employers are not covered by state law but are covered by the PUMP Act.
“Reasonable break time” varies, depending on the needs of the child and the employee. An employer may only limit the number of breaks and amount of time an employee uses to express milk if the employer can prove such breaks present an undue hardship.
Find more information and handouts on your state and federal lactation rights at work on our Back to Work page.
