New NJ Bill Would Protect Rights Of Breastfeeding Mothers At Work

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- New Jersey lawmakers have introduced a bill that would protect breastfeeding mothers from workplace discrimination.

The new legislation would require employers to provide a proper location and a "reasonable break" for breastfeeding mothers to pump during work hours. The bill would also make it a civil rights violation to fire a woman because she is breastfeeding during work hours.

"Mothers don't stop being mothers when they get to work," bill sponsor Democrat Valerie Vainieri Huttle  said in a statement. "The benefits of breastfeeding babies, especially during the first six months, are undisputable. No woman should ever be shamed for, or prevented from feeding her child the best food possible."

The bill, sponsored by Huttle and Democrat Bob Andrzejczak was approved by the Assembly Labor Committee on Thursday.

If the bill passes, the new legislation would immediately go into effect.

Breastfeeding in public is already legal in the state of New Jersey.