Texas Breastfeeding Laws
In Texas, mothers have the right to breastfeed in any public location, as long as they are legally allowed to be there. While Texas does have workplace lactation accommodation legislation, it’s equal to the federal FLSA’s PUMP Act—which provides workplace lactation accommodation protections for all breastfeeding employees.
We’ve awarded Texas one drop on our scale.
TX Breastfeeding Laws: In Public
In 1995 Texas passed a law allowing women the right to breastfeed anywhere in the state. Read the law here: Tex. Health Code Ann. § 165.002 (1995).
In 2019, Texas passed House Bill 541 that explicitly allows mothers to breast pump in public. Read the law: HB 541
TX Breastfeeding Laws: At Work
All breastfeeding employees are protected by the federal FLSA’s PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and entitled to reasonable break time and a private space (other than a bathroom) to pump at work for one year. In addition, Texas law requires public employers to provide lactation accommodations to public employees and requires the Texas Department of Health to provide recommendations that support workplace breastfeeding rights. Texas also maintains a record of businesses that have been designated “mother-friendly” (have a lactation policy, allow for flexibility, a private place to pump). Read the law: HB 786
TX Breastfeeding-Positive Municipalities
Sunset Valley Breastfeeding Laws
The City of Sunset Valley Mother Friendly Workplace Policy, like the FLSA, requires the city to provide breastfeeding city employees with a private space (other than a bathroom) to pump. Sunset Valley’s policy goes beyond federal requirements, however, by defining quality standards for the lactation space: a locking door, an electrical outlet, a clean work surface, a comfortable chair, and access to a sink. Read the law: Ordinance, Section 9.15
San Antonio Breastfeeding Laws
San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas and the home of the Alamo. Their workplace policy applies to all breastfeeding public employees—from part-time interns to full-time employees—and mandates that accessible, adequate, and private facilities (other than a bathroom) be available to pump at work. The city also provides hospital grade pumps to borrow in city lactation rooms and office spaces. Read the law: Administrative Workplace Directive 4.15
TX Breastfeeding Information + Resources
The Texas Breastfeeding Coalition’s mission is to improve the health of Texans “by working collaboratively to protect, support, and promote breastfeeding.” Visit here.
Visit U.S. Breastfeeding Committee for a full list of state breastfeeding coalitions.
Mamava designs solutions to empower breastfeeding and pumping parents on the go, like our freestanding lactation pods and lactation space locator app.
Laws are constantly evolving—which is a good thing! So if we’ve missed something, contact us at [email protected].
Disclaimer: Please consult a professional for legal advice. Mamava’s information on breastfeeding laws is not a substitute for legal counsel.
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