All, There is a bill running through the California Assembly right now (AB 1814) to allow breastfeeding mother's to be excused from jury duty "until the child is no longer breastfeeding" (somehow I think that part will be changed). This bill is sponsored by Ted Lempert, and I've included below his request for letters to help the bill make it through... Any letters from concerned lact-folks are appreciated for this, especially those of you with cool letters after your name. Information on the bill is at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_1801-1850/ab_1814_bill_20000203_in troduced.html I'm searching the archives for other people's great letters in the past to inspire my own effort, but I don't have any letters after my name to contribute to the cause. Thanks, Kirsten Jones Nursing Mothers Counsel Santa Cruz, California ******* Over the last few years, I have fought to protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers, worked to increase accommodations made for breastfeeding mothers who return to work, and protected human milk banks from being exposed to harmful litigation. This year, I have introduced Assembly Bill 1814, which will ensure breastfeeding mothers are not unreasonably required to serve on a jury. Specifically, AB 1814 requires the Judicial Council of California to provide that the mother of a breastfed child is excused from jury service for undue hardship, without having to appear, until the child is no longer breastfeeding. I introduced this bill in response to a breastfeeding constituent who was required to serve in the jury system. She responded to a jury duty summons with a written request to be excused from jury duty for the reason that she was nursing her infant. She received a response indicating "personal inconvenience" was not a legal excuse. I must inform you it will be difficult to et AB 1814 signed into law without the active support from breastfeeding and child advocates. Your involvement is critical to the passage of this legislation and we need your support. Please send a letter of support to my Capitol office from yourself or organization, within the next four weeks, and share this information with others that might be similarly supportive. Together, we can continue to increase public understanding about the importance of breastfeeding, and support our mothers who wish to provide the best nourishment for their children. Please do not hesitate to call, write or e-mail ([log in to unmask]) if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance in the future. Sincerely, Ted Lempert Assemblyman, 21st District *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html