Minnesota

Minnesota is a breastfeeding-positive state, thanks to state workplace lactation accommodation laws that exceed the protections provided by the federal FLSA’s PUMP Act. Outside of the workplace, breastfeeding laws in Minnesota are similar to those in any other state: breastfeeding in public is protected by the law.

We’ve awarded Minnesota three drops on our scale.

MN Breastfeeding Laws: In Public

Mothers in Minnesota have the right to breastfeed in public. Read the law: Minn. Stat. § 145.905

MN Breastfeeding Laws: At Work

All breastfeeding employees are protected by the federal FLSA’s PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, but Minnesota already has robust lactation accommodation laws. All employers in Minnesota—even those with only one employee—have to give all breastfeeding employees time to pump and a private space to do it. As of January 1, 2022, an amendment to the existing law prohibits employers from reducing an employee’s compensation for time used to express milk. The amendment also limits an employer’s obligation to provide break time to one year. Read the law: Minn. Stat. § 181.939

In May of 2023 Minnesota state legislature passed a bill that removes limits on reasonable paid breaks for expressing milk for infants in the first twelve months following birth and requires workplace lactation rooms to be “clean, private, and secure.” Read the bill: SF 3035

MN Breastfeeding Laws: Breastfeeding-positive Municipalities

Mille Lacs County has a policy to support breastfeeding employees. The Policy mandates break time and a “privacy room” for pumping employees. Read the policy (pages 19-22): Personnel Policy Manual

MN Breastfeeding Information + Resources

Minnesota is the first state in the country to stop separating incarcerated mothers from their newborn infants. Instead, the mother and child will be placed in a community-based program for up to a year. “The Healthy Start Act” was signed into law in May 2021.

Breastfeeding mothers are exempt from indecent exposure laws.

State law also requires the commissioner of health to develop public education programs promoting breastfeeding. Read the law: Minn. Stat. Ann. § 145.894

The Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition's mission is to work “collaboratively to create environments where breastfeeding is valued and supported to achieve natural infant feeding equity in all Minnesota communities.” Visit U.S. Breastfeeding Committee for a full list of state breastfeeding coalitions.

Breastfeeding Law Rating Key

One drop: There is no state-level workplace lactation legislation beyond the PUMP Act.

Two drops: State law exceeds the PUMP Act in one of the following ways: 1) Lower threshold for employer exemption; 2) Workplace protections beyond one year; 3) Requirements for lactation spaces (e.g. electrical outlets); 4) Protections for specific populations other than employees (e.g. students).

Three drops: State law exceeds the PUMP Act in at least two of the following ways: 1) Lower threshold for employer exemption; 2) workplace protections beyond one year; 3) requirements for lactation spaces (e.g. electrical outlets); 4) protections for specific populations other than employees (e.g. students).

Disclaimer: Please consult a professional for legal advice. Our information on breastfeeding laws is not a substitute for legal counsel.