HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2329

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Title: An act relating to creating the breastfeeding-friendly Washington designation.

Brief Description: Creating the breastfeeding-friendly Washington designation.

Sponsors: Representatives Riccelli, Short, Hudgins, Cody, Stanford, Walkinshaw, Bergquist, Farrell, Jinkins, S. Hunt, Green, Tharinger, Morrell, Van De Wege, Clibborn, Harris, Tarleton, Vick, Moeller, Kagi, Roberts, Senn and Pollet.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/29/14, 2/3/14 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Establishes the Breastfeeding Friendly Washington program as a voluntary program to recognize hospitals, health care providers, employers, and child day care centers that demonstrate to the Department of Health that they meet identified criteria to support breastfeeding.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Riccelli, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Harris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clibborn, Green, Jinkins, Moeller, Morrell, Ross, Tharinger and Van De Wege.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives DeBolt, G. Hunt and Manweller.

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks several factors related to breastfeeding practices, including the percentage of newborns that are ever breastfed, the duration of breastfeeding, formula supplementation practices, and hospital practices that encourage breastfeeding. In 2010, 88 percent of infants in Washington were ever breastfed with 60 percent continuing to breastfeed at 6 months of age. The data also found that approximately 9 percent of infants in Washington were born in a facility designated as "baby-friendly" by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. To become a "baby-friendly" facility, a hospital or birthing facility must demonstrate compliance with 10 identified practices.

In 2001 legislation was enacted to allow employers to use the designation "infant-friendly" if they have a workplace breastfeeding policy that addresses: (1) providing flexible work schedules to accommodate expressing milk; (2) maintaining a convenient, sanitary, safe, and private location for breastfeeding or expressing milk; (3) providing a convenient and safe water source for washing hands and breast-pumping equipment; and (4) having a convenient, hygienic refrigerator in the workplace for storing breast milk. Funding for the program was eliminated in 2002.

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Summary of Bill:

The Breastfeeding Friendly Washington program is established as a voluntary program to encourage and recognize hospitals, health care providers, employers, and child day care centers that maintain specific policies to support breastfeeding. The Department of Health (Department) must create designations to recognize different levels of compliance with the outlined policies.

The program begins for hospitals and health care providers on July 1, 2014, and for employers and child day care centers on July 1, 2016. As of those dates, an entity may seek the Breastfeeding Friendly Washington designation by submitting an application to the Department that includes its breastfeeding policies and supporting documentation. The Department shall issue a designation based on the number of steps met by the entity.

The steps that apply to hospitals include:

The steps that apply to health care providers include:

The steps that apply to employers include:

The steps that apply to child day care centers include:

The "infant-friendly" designation program for employers is repealed as of July 1, 2016.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Breast milk is the perfect first food. Breast milk provides the perfect nutrition for infants because it is easy to digest, helps them fight off bacteria, and lowers the risk of asthma and respiratory problems. Breastfeeding reduces the risk for diabetes and obesity. Mothers receive health benefits from breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides an important bonding period between a mother and a baby. Most mothers in Washington want to breastfeed and this bill supports their choice. It is easy to opt out of breastfeeding and having support services is very important.

There are countless incentives for babies and families to breastfeed and this bill extends those incentives to other settings. This is a voluntary program which includes four important sectors to provide the support that mothers need for breastfeeding. Washington should be a place where, after giving birth, there are hospitals, health care providers, employers, and child care facilities that support breastfeeding mothers. This bill is about encouragement and recognition, not regulation. The voluntary aspect of the program is good. This bill provides encouragement to hospitals, health care providers, employers, and child care facilities to support breastfeeding. Washington hospitals are dedicated to safe births and healthy starts for babies.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Riccelli, prime sponsor; Jennifer McNamara, Washington State Department of Health; Alison Carl White, WithinReach; Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Hospital Association; and Amber Carter, Association of Washington Business.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.