February 27, 2025
Ms. Rosen (for herself and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require a lactation space in each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act
.
Sec. 2. Lactation spaces in medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs
(a) In general
Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
1720M. Lactation spaces in medical centers of the Department
(a) Lactation space required
The Secretary shall ensure that each medical center of the Department contains a lactation space.
(b) No unauthorized entry
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize an individual to enter a medical center of the Department or portion thereof that the individual is not otherwise authorized to enter.
(c) Lactation space defined
In this section, the term lactation space means a hygienic place, other than a bathroom, that—
(1)
is shielded from view;
(2)
is free from intrusion;
(3)
is accessible to disabled individuals (including such individuals who use wheelchairs);
(4)
contains a chair and a working surface;
(5)
is easy to locate;
(6)
is clearly identified with signage; and
(7)
is available for use by women veterans and members of the public to express breast milk.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item related to section 1720L the following new item:
(c) Effective date
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out section 1720M of title 38, United States Code, as added by this section, not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.