A Win for Nursing Mothers: NJ Passes Law Exempting Breastfeeding Parents from Jury Duty
We are thrilled to share important news that supports the health and well-being of mothers and babies across our region. On April 22, Governor Phil Murphy signed a groundbreaking bill into law in New Jersey that exempts nursing mothers from jury duty—offering compassion, flexibility, and equity for families during the critical first year of a baby’s life.
Under this new law, any mother who is nursing or expressing milk for a child under one year old can request to be excused from jury service—and that request will be honored.
At The New York Milk Bank, we serve families in both New York and New Jersey, and we know just how demanding the early weeks and months of parenthood can be. Balancing breastfeeding or pumping schedules, infant care, and the physical and emotional recovery from birth is already a full-time commitment. This legislation brings much-needed relief and acknowledgment to that reality.
Supporting Breastfeeding is Supporting Public Health
Breast milk offers lifelong benefits for babies—from stronger immune systems to reduced risks of chronic illness. But for many families, consistent breastfeeding or pumping requires not just effort, but support from the community and policies that respect the needs of new parents.
As Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz noted, “There has to be flexibility during this period for moms to feed their baby or build their milk supply.”
Milk Donation Matters Too
At NYMB, we partner with hundreds of generous milk donors—many of them new moms navigating the same challenges this bill aims to ease. When lactating parents are supported, not only can they feed their own children—they can help feed medically fragile babies through the gift of milk donation.
If you are a healthy, lactating parent in New York or New Jersey with extra milk, you could become a life-saving donor. Our process is safe, HIPAA-protected, and medically supervised every step of the way.
Ready to help? Fill out your donor screening form today: https://nymilkbank.org/donate-your-milk/
We applaud New Jersey’s lawmakers for putting mothers and babies first. Policies like this one are a reminder that small changes in the law can have a big impact on health equity, parent empowerment, and infant survival.
Together, let’s keep building a future where every baby has access to the best start possible—and every mother has the support she needs to make that happen.
