New Washington State Civil Rights Law

Excellent news on the breastfeeding legislation front as today Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law a breastfeeding civil rights bill. House Bill 1596 (PDF) amends the state anti-discrimination statutes RCW 49.60.030 and 2007 c 187 s 3 to add the following civil right:

(g) the right of a mother to breastfeed her child in any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement.

Photo by Jason Anfinsen

The law goes into effect in late July, 90 days after today. It adds on to the existing Washington laws that exempt breastfeeding and expressing breast milk from indecent exposure, and allow employers to call themselves “infant-friendly” if they meet certain requirements.

This is the kind of breastfeeding law I like to see in place because it creates an actionable right. Richard Roesler of the Spokesman-Review noted:

Complaints would be investigated by the state Human Rights Commission. Based on results involving similar laws in Vermont and Hawaii, the commission estimates that it will field 4-5 complaints a year.

The number of complaints per year surprises me. Come to think of it, I am not sure whether I expected the number of complaints to be lower or higher. I suppose as the law goes into effect, I would like to see a higher number of complaints as breastfeeding women become aware of and exercise their rights. Then I would like to see the number of complaints go down as businesses come into compliance with the law.