Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee

SSB 5153

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Encouraging employers to be infant-friendly.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Kohl-Welles, Shin, Weinstein, Oemig, Keiser, Kauffman, Rockefeller, Fairley, Hargrove, Rasmussen, Spanel, Fraser, Jacobsen and Haugen).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Requires employers to disclose information to employees about the adoption of infant-friendly policies.
  • Directs the Department of Health to establish a stakeholder group to develop model infant-friendly policies.

Hearing Date: 3/19/07

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

Employers that meet certain requirements may be designated by the Department of Health (Department) as "infant-friendly" if they have approved workplace breastfeeding policies. To receive the designation the policy must allow for a flexible work schedule; a convenient, sanitary, safe, and private location to allow for breastfeeding or expressing breastmilk; a convenient, clean, and safe water source for washing hands and equipment; and a convenient, hygienic refrigerator for storing breast milk.

Summary of Bill:

Employers that have infant-friendly policies must include them in their personnel policies and mention whether or not they have been approved by the Department. If asked by an employee, an employer must tell an employee whether it has an infant-friendly policy or not, and if it does have such a policy, it shall disclose whether it has been approved by the Department or not.

The Department is instructed to convene a stakeholder group to develop model infant-friendly policies for employers. The Department must use existing mailings by state agencies to inform employers about the availability of the model policies and the infant-friendly designation. In addition, the Department must provide the policies to doctors, midwives, lactation consultants, and hospitals to distribute to expectant and new mothers.

Appropriation: The sum of $55,000.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 14, 2007.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.