H.R. 1646

119 HR 1646 IH: Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-02-27
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 1646  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   February 27, 2025   Ms. Underwood  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Veterans' Affairs    A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require a lactation space in each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act  .
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:
1720M. Lactation spaces in medical centers of the Department.
  .
(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.