New Jersey

New Jersey is a breastfeeding-positive state thanks to state 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, New Jersey’s laws provide an additional level of support.

We’ve awarded New Jersey two drops on our scale.

NJ Breastfeeding Laws: In Public

Mothers in New Jersey have the right to breastfeed in public. Read the law: N.J. Rev. Stat. § 26:4B-4/5 (1997)

NJ Breastfeeding Laws: At Work

All breastfeeding employees 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 New Jersey also has robust lactation accommodation laws as they expanded their state’s civil rights to include breastfeeding in 2018. Employers in New Jersey must provide all breastfeeding employees break time and an appropriate space (other than a bathroom) to pump at work. Read the law: New Jersey Assembly Bill 2294

New Jersey law was amended in 2022 to extend lactation accommodation protections to employees who are surrogates or who’ve experienced a pregnancy loss. In addition, the language was updated from” breastfeeding women” to “lactating employees.” Read the law: NJ A795

NJ Breastfeeding Information + Resources

Breastfeeding mothers are exempt from jury duty in New Jersey as of April 2025. Read the law: N.J.S.2B:20-10

In 2021, New Jersey established a "voluntary newborn home nurse visitation program" to provide home visitation services for a newborn baby and the baby's parent(s). This program offers breastfeeding education and support. Read the law: S690

In 2019, New Jersey passed a bill requiring certain public buildings—including health care facilities, county and/or municipal welfare offices, adoption centers—to include at least one lactation space for breastfeeding mothers. Read the law: S1735

The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition is dedicated to “promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding by working collaboratively.” Visit here. ​

Visit U.S. Breastfeeding Committee for a full list of state breastfeeding coalitions.

Breastfeeding Law Rating Key

One drop: There is no state-level workplace lactation legislation beyond the PUMP Act.

Two drops: State law exceeds the PUMP Act in one of the following ways: 1) Lower threshold for employer exemption; 2) Workplace protections beyond one year; 3) Requirements for lactation spaces (e.g. electrical outlets); 4) Protections for specific populations other than employees (e.g. students).

Three drops: State law exceeds the PUMP Act in at least two of the following ways: 1) Lower threshold for employer exemption; 2) workplace protections beyond one year; 3) requirements for lactation spaces (e.g. electrical outlets); 4) protections for specific populations other than employees (e.g. students).

Disclaimer: Please consult a professional for legal advice. Our information on breastfeeding laws is not a substitute for legal counsel.