Updated October 2001
U.S. House of Representatives
2430 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
An Update From Representative Carolyn B. Maloney on Breastfeeding Legislation
Thank you for your support in favor of Breastfeeding initiatives and legislation. As many have expressed interest on current activities, this is as an update of recent actions on Breastfeeding. H.R. 285, The Breastfeeding Promotion Act was introduced on March 15,2001. This legislation incorporates aspects of previous legislation that was not passed in the last Congress, as well as an additional tenant - a tax exemption for breastfeeding equipment.
The Breastfeeding Promotion Act includes four provisions:
* Protects Breastfeeding Under Civil Rights Law: the bill clarifies the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 to protect breastfeeding under civil rights law. This will ensure that women cannot be fired or discriminated against in the workplace for expressing milk or breastfeeding during lunch or breaks.
* Provides Tax Incentives for Employers: with more than half of mothers with infants (less than one year of age) in the work force, it is important to promote a mother-friendly work environment. The bill encourages employers to set up a safe, private, and sanitary environment for women to express (or pump) breast milk by providing a tax credit for employers who set up a lactation location, purchase or rent lactation-related equipment, hire a lactation consultant or otherwise promote a lactation-friendly work environment. Many companies would be able to receive a tax credit of up to fifty percent of their related expenses.
* Seeks Minimum Safety Standards for Breast Pumps: the bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to develop minimum
quality standards for breast pumps to ensure that products on the market are safe and effective based on efficiency, effectiveness, and sanitation factors (in addition to providing full and complete information concerning breast pump equipment).* Allows Breastfeeding Equipment to Be Tax Deductible: the bill amends the tax laws to include breastfeeding equipment and services as deductible medical care expenses. We are excited to report 30 Members of Congress have signed onto H.R. 285.
These members include: Representatives Neil Abercrombie, Tammy Baldwin, Rick Boucher, Michael Capuano, Julia Carson, Barney Frank, Charles Gonzalez, Luis Gutierrez, Darlene Hooley, Jesse Jackson Jr., Sheila Jackson-Lee, Tom Lantos, Barbara Lee, Sander Levin, Nita Lowey, Edward Markey, Jim McDermott, James McGovern, Juanita Millender-McDonald, Jerrold Nadler, John Olver, Donald Payne, Loretta Sanchez, Bernie Sanders, Max Sandlin, Jan Schakowsky, Christopher Shays, Karen Thurman, Tom Udall, and Maxine Waters.
The most efficient way to keep up-to-date on the bill is by referring to the U.S. Congress webpage - www.congress.gov. This web page is most helpful, and includes current information such as how the legislation is moving through committee, and what Members of the House have cosponsored the legislation.
In the U.S. Senate, Olympia Snowe introduced S. 256, The Pregnancy Discrimination Act Amendments of 2001. This legislation amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect breastfeeding by new mothers.
Recent Press:
Rep. Maloney addressed the United States Breastfeeding Committee on August 2, 2001 in Washington D.C. The committee launched a new strategic plan -"Breastfeeding in the United States: A National Agenda." Congresswoman Maloney welcomed the committee and guests with the opening statement, "Today is an important day because we are celebrating World Breastfeeding Week and the release of a extraordinary pro-woman, pro-family report." Please refer to the website below for further information www.usbreastfeeding.org
If you would like to be added to or deleted from this list, or wish to offer comments, please contact: intern4.ny14@mail.house.gov. Please be sure to include your full e-mail address in the text of the message.
Sincerely,
Mollie Daughtrey
Staff Assistant
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-14)
Assembly Bill 1025 Signed For Supporting Breastfeeding Employees
Thank you to all those who helped by providing testimony, information, support, and prayers! The Governor signed AB 1025 late afternoon on Sunday (10-14-01).
Again, thank you all so much,
Angelica V. González
Legislative Aide
Office of Assemblymember Dario Frommer
(916) 319-2043
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 15, 2001
CONTACT: Dan Reeves (916) 319-2043
GOVERNOR SIGNS FROMMER LEGISLATION FOR BREASTFEEDING EMPLOYEES
(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Governor Gray Davis signed Assembly Bill 1025, by Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale), legislation to ensure working mothers have adequate time and an appropriate place to express breast milk during the workday. The legislation gained bipartisan support in both houses of the Legislature as well as support from a coalition of medical organizations, women's groups, labor unions, and children's advocacy groups.
"Working moms will no longer have to hide in a bathroom stall to provide what's best for her baby, nor will she have to choose between a paycheck and better nutrition for her baby," said Frommer. "I'm happy the Governor recognized this was a balanced bill that benefits the working mothers and their babies of California."
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding a child throughout its first year. Numerous medical studies have reported that breastfed babies tend to be healthier and less likely to become ill than those who are primarily formula-fed. A mother who breastfeeds also has a lower risk of certain cancers and osteoporosis.
Unfortunately, many moms have been forced to give up breastfeeding due to workplace constraints, such as inadequate break time or lack of a proper and sanitary place to express breast milk. Assembly Bill 1025 is designed to meet those needs while being sensitive to the needs of businesses at the same time.
Assembly Bill 1025 is sponsored by the California Council of Machinists, and is supported by the California Nurses Association, the California Medical Association, AFSCME, the California Dietetic Association, Kaiser Permanente, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the March of Dimes.