Breastfeeding Legislation News for Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Washington
February 25, 2009 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under activism, breastfeeding, law
There are several breastfeeding bills making their way through the state legislatures at the moment. Here I discuss three such bills that illustrate how the text of each bill makes a huge difference in the quality and enforceability of the breastfeeding protection. Breastfeeding advocates in Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Washington state need to follow the legislation closely to ensure appropriate measures are passed.
Wisconsin
On February 24, 2009, the Wisconsin Senate passed the Right to Breastfeed Act (SB 16). If it becomes law, it would affirm a woman’s right to breastfeed in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise …read more
Legislative Update
February 10, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under activism, law, nursing in public
New Mexico
The New Mexico legislation to support working mothers received unanimous approval by the House Labor and Human Resources committee hearing last Tuesday and now faces review by the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.
South Carolina
After controversial child custody disputes in the state, the South Carolina Breastfeeding Action Committee is pushing to introduce legislation that would allow a breastfeeding mother custody of her child unless the child is in danger. Three states currently allow breastfeeding to be taken into consideration in custody decisions: Maine, Michigan and Utah.
Wisconsin
The “Right to Breastfeed Act” has been introduced in the Wisconsin state legislature by Senator …read more
Breastfeeding Protected by New Wisconsin County Ordinance
January 5, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under activism, law, nursing in public, pumping
Finally a breastfeeding law with some bite! In Wisconsin, Dane County board members just enacted Dane County Municipal Ordinance 23.37 which states:
[N]o person shall interfere with a mother breast-feeding her child or expressing breast milk within any public accommodation where the mother would otherwise be authorized to be….”
The state law in Wisconsin already protects breastfeeding in public by exempting breastfeeding from the criminal statutes, but this ordinance provides some consequences for anyone who interferes with a mother exercising her right to breastfeed or pump. Anyone who is arrested for harassing a breastfeeding mother may face a fine of $10 to …read more
