A Representative in the Delaware Legislature introduced a breastfeeding
bill this week.  The bill lists some advantages to breastfeeding and then
states:
Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, a mother shall be
entitled to breast-feed (sic) her baby in any location of a place of
public accommodation, wherein the mother is otherwise permitted.
The synopsis states: This act is intended to encourage breast-feeding
(sic) and also to prevent criminal prosecution for breast-feeding.

I am to comment by 1-28-97, noon, to the Department of Public Health.  I
think the first comment will be on how to spell breastfeeding!  I would
appreciate any words of wisdom from anyone who has worked a bill.  We were
really caught unaware on this one.  There is no statement that
breastfeeding is not allowed anywhere in the previous laws.  This
representative heard about the incident in New Jersey (neighboring state)
and didn't want any Delaware mothers to have any problems.  His wife
breastfed 3 children.  There are twenty-eight lawmakers that have
co-signed this bill.

Please send any comments to me at [log in to unmask] or
[log in to unmask] if it is over the week-end.  I will of course check the
list to see if anything has been posted here.

Thanks-
Linda Inglis BS IBCLC
Delaware WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator