Breastfeeding bill advances

CHARLESTON, W.Va.–The House of Delegates Health Committee has passed a bill (H.B. 4335) legally establishing a woman’s right to breastfeed in public.  West Virginia is one of the only states that does not provide for that protection in code.

The legislation  has been introduced a number of times in recent years, but has failed to clear both houses.  During Wednesday’s committee meeting, Del. Barbara Fleischauer (D-Monongalia) urged lawmakers to approve it.

“The best food for the baby is breastfeeding,” Fleishauer said, and she blamed advertising for discouraging women from breastfeeding.

“We have had a lot of advertising for years, trying to convince women to use formula instead of the best food for the baby,” Fleischauer said.

As proposed, the bill says a mother may breastfeed in any location open to the public, provided that the mother uses discretion.

The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Committee.





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