A new bill signed by President Donald Trump will require all major airports in the United States to provide a private space for mothers to nurse their children.

 

The Friendly Airports for Mothers Act (FAM) of 2017, signed by Trump on Oct. 5, was a new mandate introduced by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) as a part of the five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, USA Today reports.

 

Before the passage of the bill, adding nursing areas was at the discretion of the airports. The changes now mean that large and medium hub airports are to provide private lactation areas in the terminals.

 

The measure defines a lactation area as a room or other location in a commercial service airport that is not located in a restroom and:

 

“Provides a location for members of the public to express breast milk that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from the public;

 

 “Has a door that can be locked;

 

 “Includes a place to sit, a table or other flat surface, and an electrical outlet; and

 

 “Is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs.”

 

Sen. Duckworth responded to the passing of the bill on Twitter by stating, “I’m so proud my bipartisan FAM Act was signed into law. This long-awaited law will help improve children’s health and help hardworking mothers across our country find clean and accessible spaces to express breastmilk when traveling.”