Puerto Rico Breastfeeding Laws
Puerto Rico is breastfeeding-positive thanks to laws that provide workplace lactation protections. In addition to the federal FLSA’s PUMP Act that provides workplace lactation accommodation protections for all breastfeeding employees, Puerto Rico’s laws provide an additional level of support.
We’ve awarded Puerto Rico two drops on our scale.
PR Breastfeeding Laws: In Public
In Puerto Rico, mothers have the right to breastfeed in any public place they’re allowed to be. In addition, Puerto Rico law require that shopping malls, airports, ports, and public service government centers have designated areas (other than bathrooms) for breastfeeding and diaper changing. Read the law: 23 L.P.R.A. § 43-1
PR Breastfeeding Laws: At Work
All breastfeeding employees in Puerto Rico 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. But Puerto Rico law also requires employers to support breastfeeding employees by providing break time to pump at work for up to one year after the child’s birth. In addition, Puerto Rico law stipulates that mothers who have access to in-house daycare have the right to breastfeed their infants for one hour (divided as they see fit) during the work day for 12 months. Read the law: P.R. Laws Ann. tit. 29, §§ 478 et seq.
PR Breastfeeding Information + Resources
Breastfeeding mothers in Puerto Rico are exempt from public indecency laws and jury duty.
Puerto Rico also officially recognizes the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers by declaring the first week of August “World Breastfeeding Week,” as well as the entire month of August “Breastfeeding Awareness Month.”(Both are recognized in the U.S., but Puerto Rico is the only state or territory to make it official law!) Read the law: 1 L.P.R.A. § 5165
Coalicion para la lactancia materna en Puerto Rico. Visit here.
Visit U.S. Breastfeeding Committee for a 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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