An Indiana law, scheduled to take effect July 1, 2008, will require employers to “make reasonable efforts to provide accommodations for women to collect and store breastmilk during the workday”. This includes providing a private space, “other than a toilet stall”, for employees to pump breastmilk, as well as access to a cold place to store the milk such as a refrigerator or cooler. Indiana is one of a number of states that have adopted legislation related to worksite breastfeeding support.

The Indiana law applies to all government agencies as well as businesses that employ 25 people or more.

Breastfeeding advocates, including those from the Indiana Perinatal Network, have long argued that such laws are cost-effective because they save businesses money by reducing employee absenteeism, lowering health care costs, and increasing employee retention. In a new toolkit from HRSA titled, The Business Case for Breastfeeding, similar arguments are made for how a breastfeeding friendly worksite contributes to a company’s return on investment (ROI)—perhaps the bottom line and babies’ bottoms have more in common than you think.

Passage of the bill is only the first step. To assist employers in implementing the law, the Indiana Perinatal Network has published a list of Frequently Asked Questions, such as, “How does this law benefit our company?” and “How often does an employee need to pump her milk?”

Like many breastfeeding laws, there is no enforcement component—no, “Do it or else!” But if the presence of a law prompts even one business to better accommodate its breastfeeding employees, then the law has served a purpose.

Kudos to Indiana!

More resources
The Business Case for Breastfeeding 

Employers Encouraged to STEP Up