Hello fellow lactnetters, here is the lastest on breastfeeding legislation
in California, First the good news ACR 155, which encourages breastfeeding
support in the workplace, passed the legislature. Now our efforts need to
concentrate on convincing the Governor to sign this resolution before he
leaves office. Follow is a letter from the resolution's author:

Dear Friend:

I am pleased to inform you that my Assembly Concurrent Resolution 155 has
been adopted by the California State Legislature. 

 As you know, this legislation encourages the State of California and
California employers to support and encourage the practice of breastfeeding
by striving to accommodate the needs of employees, and by
ensuring that employees are provided with adequate facilities for
breastfeeding and expressing milk for their children. 

Additionally, the resolution "...respectfully memorializes the Governor 
to declare by executive order that all State of California employees
shall be provided with adequate facilities for breastfeeding, or the
expressing of milk."
 
Many employers are now recognizing the many benefits of breastfeeding,
and I commend companies like Apple Computer, Intel and Sun Microsystems
that have formal, comprehensive lactation programs for their employees.
However, I believe the State should also step up to provide some
leadership when it comes to breastfeeding in the workplace.

At this point, I am unsure of the Governor's willingness to put forth an
executive order; however, letters encouraging his support would be
helpful at this time.  Letters can be sent to: 

The Honorable Pete Wilson
Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Please feel free to call, write or e-mail if I can be of assistance, or
if you would like additional copies of this resolution to distribute for
educational purposes.
 
Sincerely,

TED LEMPERT
Assemblyman, 21st District

Letters on organizational letterhead and/or from coalitions  will be
especially helpful as well as from corporations who run successful
breastfeeding support programs for their employees. E-mail can be sent to
Brad Strong, Lempert's legislative aid working on this:
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Now for the not so good news. Another bill AB2438 which would have 
required insurance companies to cover a number of prenatal and post-partum
services (including breastfeeding services) removed the language in the
bill dealing with breastfeeding services. There was opposition from the
Department of Corporations (which oversees insurance companies) on their
contention that adequate breastfeeding services are already provided in the
hospital. Also there was concerns raised by the California Nurse's
Association that IBCLC's are not defined in state law. Our local ILCA
chapter (ALTA) will be working with the author's legislative aid to work
through these obtacles in future legislation.

I am no mail but you can e-mail privately if you must reach me.

Jeannette Newman-Velez, RD, MPH, IBCLC
YWCA WIC Breastfeeding Promotion Coordinator
Sacramento, CA
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