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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Lauren Rooney |
State Rep. Tim Solobay |
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'Breast is best'
Solobay introduces a pair of bills to protect a woman’s right to breastfeed
HARRISBURG, April 16 – It has long been held by health professionals that breast milk is superior to baby formula for infants. State Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, recognizes that it is important to give babies a healthy start, and breastfeeding certainly is one way to achieve that.
In an effort to ensure that nursing mothers are able to feed their babies without fear of harassment, Solobay has introduced legislation that would prevent local governments from adopting an ordinance that bans breastfeeding in public. House Bill 1072 also would define that breastfeeding is not a criminal offense and could not be considered indecent exposure, obscene, sexual conduct or a nuisance.
Solobay has also introduced legislation to protect the rights of nursing mothers in the workplace. House Bill 1073 would prohibit any employer from firing, withholding pay, demoting, refusing to hire or otherwise discriminating against a lactating woman should she breastfeed or express breast milk at the workplace. This measure also would bar any employer from banning an employee from expressing breast milk during any break period required by law.
“We know that in most circumstances breast milk is healthier for babies, and moms should be allowed to feed their babies the best food possible without being harassed or made to feel uncomfortable,” Solobay said.
Both of Solobay’s bills have received wide bipartisan support.
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