Understanding the PUMP Act and PWFA In late 2022, Congress signed two acts relating to pregnant employees into law: the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP) Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Below is a summary of the new obligations placed on employers by these acts. The PUMP Act became immediately effective upon signing on December 29, 2022. It requires employers to provide reasonable nursing/pumping breaks for lactating employees for up to two years after the child's birth. The PUMP Act expanded the previous rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which had covered unpaid nursing/pumping breaks for one year for hourly employees. The PUMP Act amends the FLSA by requiring the breaks be paid for the time spent nursing/pumping unless the employee is relieved of all their duties during the entire break.