Policy Text
Policy
1028San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/23, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentLactation Break Policy - 1Lactation Break Policy
1028.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide reasonable accommodations to members desiring to
express breast milk for the member's infant child (Labor Code § 1034).
1028.2 POLICY
It is the policy of this department to provide, in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act,
reasonable break time and appropriate facilities to accommodate any member desiring to express
breast milk for the member's nursing infant child (29 USC § 218d; Labor Code § 1030).
1028.3 LACTATION BREAK TIME
A rest period should be permitted each time the member has the need to express breast milk (29
USC § 218d; Labor Code § 1030). In general, lactation breaks that cumulatively total 30 minutes
or less during any four-hour work period or major portion of a four-hour work period would be
considered reasonable. However, individual circumstances may require more or less time. Such
breaks, if feasible, should be taken at the same time as the member's regularly scheduled rest
or meal periods.
While a reasonable effort will be made to provide additional time beyond authorized breaks, any
such time exceeding regularly scheduled and paid break time will be unpaid (Labor Code § 1030).
Members desiring to take a lactation break shall notify the Communications Center or a supervisor
prior to taking such a break. Such breaks may be reasonably delayed if they would seriously
disrupt department operations (Labor Code § 1032).
Once a lactation break has been approved, the break should not be interrupted except for
emergency or exigent circumstances.
1028.4 PRIVATE LOCATION
The Department will make reasonable efforts to accommodate members with the use of an
appropriate room or other location to express milk in private. Such room or place should be in
close proximity to the member's work area and shall be other than a bathroom or toilet stall. The
location must be shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public (29
USC § 218d; Labor Code § 1031).
Members occupying such private areas shall either secure the door or otherwise make it clear
to others that the area is occupied with a need for privacy. All other members should avoid
interrupting a member during an authorized break, except to announce an emergency or other
urgent circumstance.
Authorized lactation breaks for members assigned to the field may be taken at the nearest
appropriate private area.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Lactation Break Policy
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/23, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentLactation Break Policy - 21028.5 STORAGE OF EXPRESSED MILK
Any member storing expressed milk in any authorized refrigerated area within the Department
shall clearly label it as such and shall remove it when the member ends her shift.
1028.5.1 STATE REQUIREMENTS
Members have the right to request lactation accommodations. If a break time or location
accommodation cannot be provided, the supervisor shall provide the member with a written
response regarding the reasons for the determination (Labor Code § 1034).
Lactation rooms or other locations should comply with the prescribed feature and access
requirements of Labor Code § 1031.
Members who believe that their rights have been violated under this policy or have been the
subject of discrimination or retaliation for exercising or attempting to exercise their rights under
this policy, are encouraged to follow the chain of command in reporting a violation, but may also
file a complaint directly with the Labor Commissioner (Labor Code § 1033).