Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1646
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-27: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T16:36:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act" (H.R. 1646) aims to support breastfeeding women, particularly veteran mothers, by mandating dedicated spaces in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers for expressing breast milk. This promotes health, privacy, and accessibility in VA facilities.
Key Provisions
- Requirement for Lactation Spaces: Each VA medical center must include a designated lactation space, defined as a clean, non-bathroom area that meets specific standards:
- Shielded from public view and free from interruptions.
- Accessible to people with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs.
- Equipped with a chair and a flat working surface (e.g., for pumping equipment).
- Easy to find, clearly marked with signs, and available for use by women veterans and the general public to express breast milk.
- Limitations: The law does not permit unauthorized access to restricted areas of VA medical centers.
- Implementation Timeline: The VA Secretary must ensure compliance within two years of the bill's enactment.
- Technical Update: Adds a new section (1720M) to title 38 of the U.S. Code and updates the table of contents accordingly.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new requirement under subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, U.S. Code, which governs VA medical care. Previously, there was no federal mandate for lactation spaces in VA facilities, though some may have provided them voluntarily. This adds a specific, enforceable standard to enhance support for breastfeeding in government-run veteran healthcare settings.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will need to retrofit or build lactation spaces in all its medical centers, potentially involving costs for construction, signage, and maintenance. This could strain budgets but aligns with broader federal efforts to support family-friendly policies in public facilities.
- On Citizens: Women veterans and other visitors (including non-veterans) will gain private, accessible areas for breastfeeding or pumping, improving comfort and health outcomes during medical visits. It may reduce barriers for mothers seeking VA care.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic policy focused on U.S. veterans' healthcare.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Women Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, especially mothers who use VA services and need lactation support.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for implementation, including facility upgrades and compliance oversight.
- General Public: Non-veteran women and families visiting VA medical centers for care or accompaniment.
- Healthcare Providers and Staff: May need training or adjustments to accommodate these spaces without disrupting operations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens accessibility under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act by explicitly requiring wheelchair-friendly spaces. It avoids privacy conflicts by limiting use to authorized areas.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it supports equal protection for women and veterans without infringing on rights.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in veteran family support and women's health, potentially setting a precedent for similar mandates in other federal buildings. It could influence future policies on workplace and public accommodations for breastfeeding.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-27: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (3 pages)