bill requiring non-bathroom lactation space in the Capitol

The text as introduced · 421 words

89R5946 LRM-D

By: Goodwin
H.B. No. 1558

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the expression of breast milk in public buildings and

providing leave for state employees to donate breast milk.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 443, Government Code, is amended by

adding Section 443.0134 to read as follows:

Sec. 443.0134. PLACE TO EXPRESS BREAST MILK. The board

shall provide a place in the Capitol, other than a bathroom, that is

shielded from view and free from intrusion of any person where a

member of the public or an employee can express breast milk.

SECTION 2. Section 619.004, Government Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 619.004. PUBLIC EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES. (a) A

public employer shall:

(1) provide a reasonable amount of break time for an

employee to express breast milk each time the employee has need to

express the milk; and

(2) provide a place, other than a [ multiple user ]

bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from

other employees and the public where the employee can express

breast milk.

(b) A public employer that engages in or contracts for the

construction or renovation of any building regularly occupied by

members of the public shall ensure the building includes a publicly

accessible place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view

and free from intrusion of another person where a member of the

public can express breast milk.

SECTION 3. Subchapter Z, Chapter 661, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 661.925 to read as follows:

Sec. 661.925. LEAVE FOR BREAST MILK DONORS. (a) A state

agency shall allow each agency employee sufficient time off,

without a deduction in salary or accrued leave, to donate breast

milk.

(b) An employee may not receive time off under this section

unless the employee obtains approval from the employee's supervisor

before taking time off.

(c) An employee may receive time off under this section once

a month.

SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the State Preservation Board shall establish a place in

the Capitol for a person to express breast milk as required by

Section 443.0134, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 5. Section 619.004(b), Government Code, as added by

this Act, applies only to the construction or renovation of a

building described by that section that begins on or after the

effective date of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.