Michigan Breastfeeding Legislation Sponsors

Great news out of Michigan this month! State representatives Rebekah Warren and Tonya Schuitmaker plan to introduce a resolution and a bill in support of mothers’ right to breastfeed. Rep. Warren states:

Michigan is one of only a handful of states that still fails to protect breastfeeding moms from being harassed, segregated, or otherwise discouraged from breastfeeding in public. Breastfeeding moms must be allowed to feed their infants wherever they may otherwise legally be. This is more than a lifestyle choice; it is an important health choice.

While the bill has not been formally introduced in the House yet, it appears that it will be the kind of bill lactivists particularly like to see — the kind that treats breastfeeding as a civil right. Representative Warren made the call for action:

Let’s add breastfeeding mothers to the list of those protected under Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. No longer will Michigan’s breastfeeding mothers be banished to feed their children in toilet stalls and broom closets.

This legislation is a long time in coming. Remember way back in February 2007 when I wrote about a Lactivist Call for Change in Michigan after a mother was told she could no longer breastfeed her son at daycare? Good thing breastfeeding advocates in Michigan have been busy since then. In August the Michigan Breastfeeding Network submitted a petition to state legislators:

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to support the following: A mother may breastfeed her child in any location public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be present.

It’s clear those grassroots efforts paid off! Good work Michigan lactivists and thank you Representatives Warren and Schuitmaker for agreeing to co-sponsor the breastfeeding bill.