On Aug. 15, 2019, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation requiring certain public facilities and offices to provide on-site lactation rooms for nursing mothers.
The legislation additionally requires the New Jersey Department of Health to provide information about the availability of lactation rooms, and the New Jersey Department of Education to provide information on lactation-related policies in New Jersey’s schools, colleges, and universities. P.L. 2019, c. 242.
Following the adoption of P.L.2019, c.242, and pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:4C-3, the NJDOE is required to evaluate, and to report to the governor and to the Legislature “on the lactation-related policies that have been implemented at schools, colleges, and universities in the State.” More specifically, each report submitted to the governor and to the Legislature shall:
- Summarize the applicable policies in this area.
- Indicate the number and percentage of policies that authorize access to a designated lactation room.
- Indicate how such policies were communicated to students, parents, and guardians during the preceding school year. N.J.S.A. 26:4C-3(b).
With the above in mind, and no later than July 1, 2025, all New Jersey schools are asked to have the appropriate staff or administration member complete the 2025 Survey on Lactation Policies so that the NJDOE can compile the necessary data to prepare its annual report.
For any questions, please contact Michelle Whitmore at 609- 376-3650, or via email.
