New Amended Lactation Accommodation Policy in New York City

Since 2019, New York City law has stated that employers are required to implement and distribute to all employees upon hire a written lactation accommodation policy which includes the right to request a lactation room.

Amendments to this law have been made and will go into effect on May 11, 2025. The changes include:

• New Posting Requirements- Employers must make the policy “readily available” by physically posting the policy in an area accessible to employees and available electronically in the employer’s intranet if existing.
• Policy Revisions- Employers must include a statement that the employer will provide 30 minutes of paid break time and shall further permit an employee to use existing break time or mealtime if exceeding 30 minutes. This is in accordance with the newly enacted paid lactation break law.
• New Distribution Requirement- Requirement changes wording from “upon hire” to “at the commencement of employment” clarifying that employers are not required to provide the policy to employees before their first day of work.

Employer Takeaways:

• Prepare to comply with updating physical and electronic posting requirements
• Revise lactation room accommodation policies to include required language
• Review existing breaktime policies to ensure compliance with paid lactation break requirements

If your business has any questions on this topic or any other matters, please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at The Royal Law Firm at 413-586-2288.