WILLIAMS' LEGISLATION MOVES FROM COMMITTEE

HARRISBURG, APRIL 24 – Legislation that would support a woman's right to breastfeed her baby was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today, according to the bill sponsor, state Sen. Connie Williams.

Williams said the timing of the committee vote was perfect. On May 7^th, she plans to host a breastfeeding rally in the state Capitol. The rally was scheduled to coincide with Mother's Day. During a similar rally that Williams held in her district last year, more than 100 people turned out in support of the need to make Pennsylvania a state that protects the rights of mothers and babies.

"My legislation supports and protects a mother's right to breastfeed her child in public places," Williams said. "This is an issue of fairness and supporting women's rights to choose how they feed their babies. Unfortunately, as the incident that occurred earlier this year in a mall in Reading in which a woman was asked not to feed her infant in public (she could either feed the baby in a bathroom or in a car in an outdoor parking lot) proved, stronger laws are needed.

"What happened in the mall in Reading is unconscionable. This woman sought a quiet, out-of-the-way bench and made sure that she was not exposed, yet because one person who objects to breastfeeding in public happened to walk by and reported his or her discontent to security guards, this woman were made to feel as if she was doing something wrong.

"Breastfeeding is the oldest and most natural way to nourish babies. It is also one of the healthiest. Women have every right to utilize a clean, warm and safe location to nurse their babies. They should not be told that they must retreat to a less-than hygienic spot, such as a public bathroom, or go to a vehicle that is exposed to the elements to feed their baby."

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today voted in favor of Williams' legislation (S.B. 34). The vote moves the bill forward in the legislative process.