RSS
Home
Bill to make public breastfeeding a civil right
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
HB 1596 would protect "a woman's right to breastfeed in a place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement." The sponsor, Rep. Tami Green (D-Lakewood), says infants should get the best food possible, and women should feel comfortable feeding their baby wherever needed. The Seattle Times has the story here.
Kerri Christie, a new mom from Poulsbo, testified most mothers don't feel at ease breast-feeding in public.
"Unfortunately the general public feels this is inappropriate," she said, "because there is nothing in our law that says it's appropriate to feed one's baby wherever you go."
The Seattle Times reports that the measure faces little opposition and has support from House leaders.
Overall I understand the intent of the legislation, but I'm concern with how the bill gets there. Technically, it is not against the law to breastfeed in public. In fact, Washington is one of 25 states that expressly says that breastfeeding is not considered indecent exposure under state law. And Washington is one of 21 states that facilitates breastfeeding in the workplace. So HB 1596 appears unnecessary and redundant. It won't completely eliminate the social disapproval that mothers experience.
Furthermore, the bill actually elevates breastfeeding to the status of a civil right, protected by our state's anti-discrimination law. Any woman who is "discriminated" against would be entitled to pursue a civil action to prevent future violations and recover damages.
Should public feeding should be given the same protection as one's race, creed, sex, or origin? What do you think?
Related Articles:
Comments
.jpg)
