Breastfeeding Legislative Updates

The following states have breastfeeding legislation pending:

Arizona - House Bill 2121 exempts breastfeeding from public indecency laws. Didn't I predict this one? News Link.

Massachusetts - Passed a bill in December which bans marketing of artificial infant milk (formula) via free diaper bags and samples given to women in the hospital. Massachusetts is the first state to successfully enact such legislation. A similar bill was introduced in Texas last year and but went nowhere. News Link. Press Release from the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition. Via Natural Family News.

Mississippi - Senate Bills 2419 and 2352 and House Bill 527 would exempt breastfeeding mothers from Mississippi's public indecency law, protect breast-feeding mothers from discrimination in the workplace and ensure that licensed child-care facilities accommodate breast-feeding mothers and their children. News Link.

"Breast-feeding in public is a misdemeanor under the current law, punishable by up to six months in jail or a $500 fine."

South Carolina - A House bill guaranteeing the right to breastfeed in public, and exempting breastfeeding from public indecency laws, passed successfully out of a sub-committee. This legislation was prompted by the Victoria's Secret incident. News Link 1. News Link 2.

"I can't imagine the fascist sort of government we Republicans are running up here. We're supposed to be helping businesses."

- REP. JOHN GRAHAM ALTMAN, R-Charleston, arguing against a bill allow mothers to nurse babies in public.

South Dakota - Senate Bill 177 would give companies up to ten-thousand dollars to provide lactation facilities for workers. News link.

Tennessee - News Link.

"Now two local lawmakers are jumping on board as well, considering legislation that would clearly explain that breastfeeding is allowed in public buildings and on public property.

State law now says only that 'a mother in the act of nursing' does not constitute public indecency or indecent exposure."

West Virginia - A big ole' raspberry to commentator Chris Stirewalt who includes a nursing-in-public bill among the State's worst legislation.