Hi friends: I've been nomail for a while, so I'm not sure whether you all
have received this information. It seems to me that this is a natural
issue for all of us to work with our constituencies so that there is
tremendous support for this bill and folks in Congress know that we are
watching them. We should all fax, call, email our Congresspersons on this
one and it all is perfectly legit.
Best wishes to all at this season and we all have lots of work in the New
Year.
Judy
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Great News for Breastfeeding Promotion! Yesterday, this issue gained
National attention as US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney announced her intent
to introduce a bill next year, that would improve worksite support for
breastfeeding in the US. Legislative efforts in Maryland failed last year
but raised the level of awareness and discussion to a State level. This
next year, Representative Maloney will bring this issue to National Attention!
The proposed bill would:
1. Make breastfeeding a protected activity under civil rights law,
requiring that women cannot be discriminated against in the workplace for,
pumping milk, breastfeeding or related activities.
2. Encourage employers to set up a safe, private and sanitary environment
for women to express milk by providing a tax credit for employers who set
up a lactation location, purchase or rent lactation ewquipment, hire a
lactation consultant or otherwise promote a lactation-friendly environment.
3. Grant non-exempt working women up to one hour of paid leave per day for
one year following the birht of a child to breastfeed or express milk.
This time could be taken in three 20 minute breakes or two 30-minute breaks.
4. Require the FDA to develop minimum quality standards for breast pumps,
to ensure that products on the market are safe and effective.
5. Provide $------- to WIC's breastfeeding educational campaign
6. Grant federal employees on hour of paid leave per day for one year
following the birth of a child to breastfeed or express milk. This time
could be taken in three 20-minute breaks or two 30 minute breaks.
For more information, questions, suggestions call Gail Ravnitzky in Rep.
Carolyn Maloney's office at 202-225-7944
Kristen L. Marsh, MPH, RD
Program Development Advisor
USAID, Global Bureau, Nutrition and Maternal Health Division
202-712-1042
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