South Dakota and Virginia Enact Laws Regarding Breastfeeding: Employment Law Manual Updated; New Legal Timetable Entries Added

Author: Beth Zoller, XpertHR Legal Editor

Both South Dakota and Virginia have enacted laws addressing the right of nursing mothers to breastfeed.

Under a new South Dakota law, effective July 1, 2015, nursing mothers are permitted to breastfeed in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are authorized to be present, including places of employment.

Based on this development, the South Dakota EEO-Discrimination and Employee Handbooks-Work Rules-Employee Conduct sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated. In addition an entry has been added to the Legal Timetable.

Similarly, under a new Virginia law a mother may breastfeed in any place where the mother is lawfully present, including her place of employment. The new law takes effect on July 1, 2015.

In light of this development, the Virginia EEO-Discrimination and Employee Handbooks-Work Rules-Employee Conduct sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated. In addition, a Legal Timetable entry has been added.