HB49 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Juandalynn GivanRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Employment; employers required to provide location and break time for employees to express breast milk

Summary

HB49 would require Alabama employers to provide a private space and reasonable break time for employees to express breast milk.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill creates a state law requiring every employer in Alabama to offer a private location and reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk. Break time can be unpaid or the employee may use paid breaks or meals, and should run concurrently with existing breaks when possible. It allows an exception if providing break time would cause undue hardship, and it requires employees to minimize disruption. The bill also bans discrimination against employees who express milk and sets a target effective date of October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Nursing employees who need to express milk at work; they would gain access to a private space and designated break time.
• Employers in Alabama (including state departments, agencies, authorities, and political subdivisions); they must provide space and breaks and ensure non-discrimination while aiming to comply.

Key Provisions

• An employer must provide reasonable unpaid break time or allow the use of paid breaks or meal time each day to express breast milk, with breaks potentially running concurrently with existing breaks.
• A room or other private location (not a bathroom) near the work area must be provided for milk expression, but employers are not required to build a room solely for this purpose.
• An employer may not discriminate against an employee who chooses to express breast milk, and the employer is allowed to be held harmless if it makes reasonable efforts to comply.
• The term 'employer' includes individuals or entities that employ one or more employees, including state departments, agencies, authorities, and political subdivisions.
• The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Labor & Employment