New law provides workplace protections for expectant mothers, babies

Photo by: Minnesota State Legislature
Photo by: Minnesota State Legislature

(St. Paul, MN) -- Two new Minnesota laws are providing protections for pregnant mothers and their newborn babies.  

The first requires companies with 15 or more people to make "reasonable accommodations" for pregnant women in the workplace, such as extra restroom breaks and a 20-pound limit on items they're expected to carry.

Under another law, employers can no longer require women to take unpaid time to pump breast milk in a lactation room.

The laws officially took effect Saturday.