NY S04844

Changes the term "nursing mothers" to "nursing employees" and expands break time from "each day" to "each time such employee has reasonable need to express breast milk" for up to three years following childbirth.

Requires employers to designate a room or location that is well-lit, shielded from view, free from intrusion, and equipped with a chair, working surface, clean running water, and electrical outlet if available; prohibits use of restrooms or toilet stalls.

Mandates employers provide notice to all employees when a room is designated for breast milk expression and make the space available when needed without concurrent use for other purposes.

Allows employers to make reasonable efforts to provide alternative accommodations if full compliance would cause undue hardship based on business size, financial resources, or structure.

Requires the Commissioner of Labor to develop a written policy that employers must provide to all employees upon hire, annually, and upon return from childbirth, including employee rights, request procedures, and a five-business-day response deadline.

Prohibits employers from discharging, threatening, penalizing, or retaliating against employees who exercise their breast milk expression rights.