SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5885

                    As of February 24, 1997

Title:  An act relating to infant breast‑feeding.

Brief Description:  Requiring employers to allow mothers to breast‑feed.

Sponsors:  Senators Kline, Patterson, Prentice, Kohl, Heavey, Brown, Fraser and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  2/24/97, 2/28/97.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

Background:  Washington does not have statutes that address the right of a woman to breast-feed her child.  Several other states have enacted laws specifically addressing this issue.  For example, breast-feeding in New York is a civil right and a woman is entitled to breast-feed her child in any public or private location where she is authorized to be.  Both Florida and Texas have statutes that entitle a mother to breast-feed and that allow facilities or businesses to use "baby-friendly" or "mother-friendly" designations in promotional materials if the entity develops a qualified breast-feeding policy

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature finds that infant breast-feeding is a basic act of nurture to be encouraged for health and family value reasons and recognizes that workplace policies protecting the right to breast-feed furthers these goals.

A woman is authorized to breast-feed her infant child at the workplace in any public or private location where she is permitted to be.  "Infant child" means a child under two years of age.

A public or private sector employer that wishes to use a "baby-friendly" designation in its promotional materials must develop a workplace policy on breast-feeding approved by the Department of Health.  The policy must address flexible work scheduling, accessible private locations and clean water facilities, and hygienic milk storage alternatives

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 22, 1997.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.