SPRINGFIELD – Working mothers who pump breastmilk for their infants deserve proper workplace accommodations. Come Jan. 1, a new law led by State Senator Laura Fine will require employers to provide paid break time for pumping breastmilk.

“Working women often lack proper maternity resources, leaving them unsupported upon returning to work. This law empowers moms to balance their professional responsibilities while caring for their infants,” said Fine (D-Glenview).

Under the new law, employees’ time for pumping breastmilk has to be paid and employees cannot be required to use their own paid leave during these breaks.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect infants from exposure to toxic heavy metals, State Senator Laura Fine spearheaded a new law requiring testing of baby food products for these toxins on Jan. 1.

“Parents should never have to worry that the food they give their children could harm their health,” said Fine. “By establishing mandatory testing and transparency between manufacturers and consumers, this law gives parents peace of mind about the contents of the baby food they’re purchasing.”

Under Fine’s law, manufacturers must test samples of their baby food products for toxic elements – such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury – every month and disclose this information directly on the product’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois eliminated unnecessary barriers to health care by banning prior authorization for outpatient mental health services on Jan. 1, thanks to State Senator Laura Fine.

“Like physical health care, mental health care is a critical component to overall well-being and it is time we ensure everyone has access to the treatment they need,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This new law breaks down unnecessary barriers to mental health care services by making it more affordable and accessible for all Illinoisans.”

The Healthcare Protection Act, signed into law in July 2024, made health care more accessible and affordable for Illinoisans. The law banned step therapy requirements, prohibited prior authorization for inpatient mental health care at hospitals, banned junk insurance plans, and ended unchecked rate increases for large group insurance companies.

SPRINGFIELD – Insurance coverage expanded for emergency neonatal intensive care on Jan. 1, thanks to State Senator Laura Fine.

“Newborns deserve immediate care in the first critical hours of life and parents deserve peace of mind to know the services are covered,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This new law ensures no family is denied life-saving treatment for their child.”

Neonatal care for premature or critically ill newborns often requires specialized treatments that might not be covered by a patient’s health insurance network. Under Fine’s law, private insurers are required to cover emergency neonatal care, regardless of whether the provider is in or out of the patient’s network. This ensures families are not billed for greater out-of-pocket costs than they would have incurred with an in-network provider.