Those familiar with the BFing laws...

Does it pertain to students? My SIL is in nursing school and they are telling her she can't pump in the hospital (where her classes are) and she needs to go to her car or a bathroom stall!
I've read the statute, it seemed to only relate to work environments. Did I miss something?

Re: Those familiar with the BFing laws...

I'm fairly certain the pamphlet that was in my pre-registration from the hospital says something to the effect of in NYS you are allowed to nurse or pump anywhere and everywhere that you are authorized to be. So, if you are a student who is otherwise allowed in the hospital, then you should be able to nurse and pump there. And most hospitals I have been in have designated nursing/pumping rooms - usually on the maternity floor.

ETA: Saw this regarding nursing, not sure if it's the same for pumping but I don't see why not?

"Forty-five states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have laws that specifically allow women to breastfeed in any public or private location. (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.)"

Message edited 9/11/2013 10:33:42 AM.

Those familiar with the BFing laws...

There are no laws that pertain to students, but I don't see why they wouldn't let her use the lactation room in the hospial? She is working there, she isn't coming in off the street. Has she discussed this with an autority at the hospital? I can't imagine they'd have a problem with it.

Re: Those familiar with the BFing laws...

When I was in school, I had to pump in my car.. its ridiculous but I was told they dont have to offer anything to students. This was 2009, can only hope they changed the laws, but sadly I dont think they did.

Re: Those familiar with the BFing laws...

That is just crazy.

The laws only apply to the workplace. I don't think the laws for nursing (that a pp suggested) apply to pumping, although I guess she would technically have the right to pump where ever the heck she wanted to, if she wanted to pump in public (since in NYS, women technically have the right to go topless in public)! But I am guessing she doesn't- she just wants a private spot to pump.

I think her best bet would be to have some kind of public action in her favor- e.g. all the students in her class writing to the administration of the hospital and/or school. In fact, I'm sure lots of us on this board would be happy to write a letter/e-mail if you send us the info.

This is not totally relevant, but it sort of is: article

Those familiar with the BFing laws...

Not the same thing, but when I went to visit my SIL in the hospital after she had my nephew the hospital told me the only place I could pump was in the bathroom since the milk is a bodily fluid and therefore I couldn't use a room. I think it is disgusting - a hospital of all places should encourage a mother to pump for her baby.

Those familiar with the BFing laws...

That's absolutely crazy to hear that they woudln't provide a place for her to pump! Maybe reach out to a LaLeche League? They might have information for this. I understand giving preference to the nursing mothers who are employed by the hospital; but to flat out deny her and say she has to pump in the car is crazy.

Those familiar with the BFing laws...

How ironic. Hospitals push and push breastfeeding but won't let a nursing student pump in a private room. Hilarious.
That makes me so mad.

Re: Those familiar with the BFing laws...

I used a lactation room at the hospital quite frequently when my daughter was in the NICU. It was a great setup - but the security was REALLY tight. They checked IDs all the time and only parents were allowed in the area. Even grandparents and siblings were highly restricted (one visitor per day for one hour and only with a single parent) - you could not have two parents with a visitor at the same time. Even staff couldn't access that part of the hospital if they were not from that particular area.

Re: Those familiar with the BFing laws...

Re: Those familiar with the BFing laws...

Thank you for all the replies! I sent her all of your ideas and anything I could find online.

Those familiar with the BFing laws...

Omg that is the stupidest thing. They HAVE rooms!!! When I visited my SiL at the hospital I BF my 1 year old. I didn't ask I just went into the room and nursed.

Re: Those familiar with the BFing laws...

At the hospital where I worked, the lactation room was available to everyone- staff, visitors, students, etc.

Maybe she should just act like she's a visitor and ask at the front desk of the hospital where her classes are