First Substitute H.B. 252

Representative Christine A. Johnson proposes the following substitute bill:

1 WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATION OF BREAST
2 FEEDING
3 2010 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Christine A. Johnson
6 Senate Sponsor: ____________
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill modifies the provisions related to labor in general to provide for requirements
11 related to an employer accommodating an employee who chooses to breast feed.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . defines terms;
15 . specifies what accommodations are required to be made;
16 . requires posting; and
17 . establishes a private right of action.
18 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 ENACTS:
24 34-47-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
25 34-47-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953

26 34-47-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27 34-47-202, Utah Code Annotated 1953
28 34-47-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
29
30 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
31 Section 1. Section 34-47-101 is enacted to read:
32 CHAPTER 47. WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR BREAST FEEDING ACT
33 Part 1. General Provisions
34 34-47-101. Title.
35 This chapter is known as the "Workplace Accommodations for Breast Feeding Act."
36 Section 2. Section 34-47-102 is enacted to read:
37 34-47-102. Definitions.
38 As used in this chapter:
39 (1) "Employee's child" means a child:
40 (a) to whom the employee gives birth; or
41 (b) who is adopted by the employee.
42 (2) "Employer" means a person employing 15 or more employees within the state for
43 each working day in each of 20 calendar weeks or more in the current or preceding calendar
44 year.
45 (3) "Express breast milk" means an act intended to extract milk from the breasts of a
46 lactating woman.
47 (4) "Reasonable" means that an accommodation does not impose an undue hardship on
48 the operation of the employer's business.
49 (5) "Undue hardship" means an accommodation that requires significant difficulty or
50 expense when considered in relation to factors such as:
51 (a) size of the employer;
52 (b) the financial resources of the employer;
53 (c) the nature and structure of the employer's operations; and
54 (d) special circumstances of public safety.
55 Section 3. Section 34-47-201 is enacted to read:
56 Part 2. Accommodations Required

57 34-47-201. Employer to accommodate.
58 (1) Subject to the other requirements of this chapter, if an employee is breast feeding
59 the employee's child, an employer shall:
60 (a) for at least one year after the day on which the employee's child is born, provide
61 time for the employee to express breast milk for benefit of the employee's child; and
62 (b) make reasonable efforts to provide a location in close proximity to the employee's
63 work area, other than a toilet stall, where the employee can express breast milk in privacy for
64 benefit of the employee's child.
65 (2) An employer may comply with Subsection (1)(a) by:
66 (a) providing an employee reasonable unpaid break time; or
67 (b) permitting an employee to use paid break time, meal time, or both.
68 (3) An employer that makes reasonable efforts to accommodate an employee who
69 chooses to express breast milk at work is considered to be in compliance with this section.
70 Section 4. Section 34-47-202 is enacted to read:
71 34-47-202. Posting required.
72 (1) An employer shall post a notice that the employer is required to accommodate in
73 accordance with this chapter an employee who chooses to breast feed the employee's child.
74 (2) An employer shall post the notice required under this section conspicuously at or
75 near the place of work where the employer posts notices related to employment discrimination
76 or workers' compensation.
77 Section 5. Section 34-47-301 is enacted to read:
78 Part 3. Remedy
79 34-47-301. Private action.
80 (1) An individual claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged violation by the individual's
81 employer may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for a violation of this
82 chapter:
83 (2) If a court finds a violation of this chapter, the court may:
84 (a) impose an injunction against committing any further violation of this chapter;
85 (b) award the individual up to $1,000;
86 (c) award the individual who is aggrieved attorney fees and costs; or
87 (d) take a combination of actions under this Subsection (2).

88 (3) An individual may not bring an action under this section more than two years from
89 the date the child is born for which the individual seeks accommodation under this chapter.
90 (4) An individual may not bring a class action for a violation of this chapter.
91 (5) An action under this chapter does not impair, avoid, or affect any right or cause of
92 action an individual may have under another law.