Breastfeeding in Public Protection by State
Whether the state expressly protects the right to breastfeed in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, the penalty for interference, and whether breastfeeding is exempt from public indecency or nudity statutes.
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| Statutory Right | Penalty for Interference | Indecency Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil action | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | $1,000-$10,000 | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil action | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil rights act | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil action | Yes |
| Yes | Civil rights act | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil rights act | Yes |
| Yes | Civil action | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil action | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil rights act | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil rights act | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil action | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil rights act | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil action | Yes |
| Yes | Civil rights act | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil rights act | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | None | Yes |
| Yes | Civil rights act | Yes |
All 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have laws expressly permitting public breastfeeding. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act §7(r), strengthened by the 2022 PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, requires employers to provide reasonable break time and a private space (not a bathroom) for expressing milk. The federal Friendly Airports for Mothers Act (FAM Act) requires lactation rooms in medium and large commercial airports.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.