On September 3, Philadelphia made it unlawful for an employer to fail to reasonably accommodate the need to express breast milk, where the accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.  The new law, which is now in effect, amends the city’s fair practices ordinance.  Reasonable accommodations under the law include providing unpaid break time or allowing the use of paid break time, mealtime, or both, to express milk, and providing a private, sanitary space (that is not a bathroom) where an employee can express milk.

Philadelphia’s new law comes on the heels of a related amendment to the city’s fair practices ordinance earlier this year, which expanded the requirements for accommodation based upon pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.