Pennsylvania SB 941: An Act requiring lactation rooms in courthouses.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1081
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 941
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CAPPELLETTI, SCHWANK, HAYWOOD, COSTA AND SAVAL,
JULY 24, 2025
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, JULY 24, 2025
AN ACT
Requiring lactation rooms in courthouses.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Lactation
Rooms in Courthouses Act.
Section 2. Findings.
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) The Commonwealth intends to comply with Federal and
State laws, regulations and policies, including:
(i) 40 U.S.C. § 3318 (relating to lactation room in
public buildings), which defines a lactation room;
(ii) section 4207 of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. § 18001 et seq.);
(iii) section 207(r) of the Fair Labor Standards Act
(29 U.S.C. § 207(r)), which contains requirements for
providing accommodations for nursing mothers; and
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(iv) Human Resources Policy HR-WS001, Nursing
Mothers Rooms which establishes a Commonwealth-wide
policy that accommodates nursing people who wish to
express breast milk while at work.
(2) This act expands those guidelines to courthouses in
this Commonwealth.
(3) Breastfeeding a baby is an important and basic act
of nurturing that must be protected.
(4) A space should be provided in courthouses for
individuals who need to express breast milk or perform
nursing for a child.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Courthouse." Any of the following:
(1) Any building in which the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania or
Commonwealth Court may hold a session.
(2) The State Judicial Center in Harrisburg.
(3) A county judicial center within the meaning of 42
Pa.C.S. § 3721 (relating to county judicial center or
courthouse).
(4) A court and court of common pleas as defined in 42
Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions).
(5) A local facility for holding sessions of Statewide
courts as provided in 42 Pa.C.S. § 3704 (relating to local
facilities for holding sessions of Statewide court).
"Lactation room." A hygienic place, other than a bathroom,
that:
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(1) is shielded from view;
(2) is free from intrusion; and
(3) contains a chair, a working surface and, if the
public building is otherwise supplied with electricity, an
electrical outlet.
"Parent." An individual who is able to express breast milk
and is currently providing breast milk for a nursing child,
regardless of whether the individual has legal custody of the
child.
Section 4. Lactation rooms in courthouses.
(a) Requirement.--A courthouse shall have at least one
lactation room with the requirements established in this act and
Federal law. To maintain privacy and avoid the appearance of
impropriety, the lactation room may be the same used by
employees for the same purpose.
(b) Notice.--Notice to the public regarding the location and
access to a lactation room shall be posted in areas and by
designated signage standards of the government entity that owns
or leases the courthouse.
(c) Mandatory specifications.--A lactation room shall comply
with the following specifications:
(1) Be in a location that complies with the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.).
All accessories, equipment, furniture and casework shall be
provided and installed to comply with the requirements of
that act, including accessibility clearances and regulations.
(2) Have a minimum square footage of 80 net usable
square feet.
(3) Have a privacy latch or locking door hardware, or
both, so that the door can be locked from the inside.
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(4) Provide visual privacy to the space by modifying or
covering windows, sidelights and doors.
(5) Provide sound privacy to the space to minimize sound
transmission into adjacent spaces, including, if possible,
using sound attenuation insulation.
(6) Include a chair and table, countertop or desk. The
chair must be upholstered, cushioned, have armrests, a high
back and be of standard seating height.
(7) Provide at least one electrical duplex outlet next
to where an individual may be seated.
(8) Contain a waste receptacle.
(9) Meet standard office-level illumination and
ventilation requirements.
(10) Not be a restroom, toilet stall, storage room or
janitor's closet.
(d) Discretionary specifications.--The following
specifications may be included in a lactation room:
(1) Provide a sink or be adjacent to a kitchenette,
breakroom or women's restroom with a sink installed in
casework to provide the space necessary to clean equipment
and containers.
(2) Contain a refrigerator.
(3) Contain a