West Virginia

A Child's Right to

Nurse Act

Recent articles related to this Legislation

News Page 1 / Page 2 / Page 3 / Page 4

_________________________________________________

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin proclaims August 2005 "Breastfeeding Month"

Click Here for photo and to view the proclamation.

_________________________________________________

Charleston Gazette

March 10, 2005

Breast-feeding bill passes

By Tom Searls
Staff writer

Only four members of the House of Delegates voted against legislation Wednesday guaranteeing a woman’s right to breast feed her child in public, while lawmakers also passed a bill giving doctors convicted of drug crimes a second chance.

House Judiciary Chairman Jon Amores, D-Kanawha, said the “Child’s Right to Nurse” bill “simply protects a mother’s right to breast-feed — public or private.”

The legislation arose after several mothers were asked to go elsewhere to breast-feed their children. One incident occurred in the Charleston Civic Center, where a mother was told to feed her infant in the bathroom.

No one questioned the legislation (HB2450), or spoke on the floor against it. When the votes were tabulated the bill easily passed on a 96-4 count, with four Republicans — including one woman — opposed.

“I just don’t think we needed the bill,” said Delegate Patti Schoen, R-Putnam, an attorney who said she has breast-fed all of her children.

She said incidents where women have been asked to stop could instead be worked out between the mother and management because “it’s not against the law.”

Thirty-seven other states have similar laws.

“I just don’t think there’s a need for the law,” Schoen said.

Another female Republican delegate said she had not realized there was a problem, but e-mail messages supporting the legislation poured into her office, sending her a message that her constituents wanted the legislation.

“If it’s better health for the children, I support it,” said Delegate Linda Sumner, R-Raleigh.

For at least one other opposing delegate, the law seemed too broadly written. Delegate Ray Canterbury, R-Greenbrier, noted there was no age limit for children in the legislation.

GOP Delegates Walter Duke of Berkeley County and Christopher Wakim of Ohio County joined those two in opposition.

(unrelated portion of article removed)

Associated Press

March 09, 2005

House passes child nursing bill

By LAWRENCE MESSINA
Associated Press Writer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The House of Delegates passed a measure Wednesday that would allow women to breast feed in public despite objections that the legislation wasn't needed because the practice is already legal.

The Child's Right to Nurse Act (HB2450) would allow women to breast-feed children anywhere that they are otherwise allowed to be. Supporters say at least 37 states have laws that address nursing in public.

The bill passed 93-4 with three absences. The bill now goes to the Senate.

The dissenters, all Republicans, included Delegate Chris Wakim of Ohio County. Wakim said the women in his district consider the bill "a waste of paper.''

"Government has too much of an influence and say in what we can and cannot do,'' Wakim said. "I won't support a bill that codifies something that is absolutely legal.''

Putnam County Delegate Patti Eagloski Schoen, the only woman to vote against the bill, agreed.

"My position is, we do not need a bill because it's not against the law'' to breast-feed in public,'' said Schoen, the mother of two.

(unrelated portion of article removed)

Charleston Gazette

March 04, 2005

Breast-feeding bill goes to full House

By Tom Searls
Staff writer

In September, Huntington resident Cassie Martin was asked not to breast-feed her daughter in public.

Thursday, she, husband Corey and 7-month-old Corinna came to Charleston to watch the House Judiciary Committee unanimously endorse legislation (HB2450) guaranteeing women the right to breast-feed their children in public.

“We had an incident where we were asked not to breast-feed in public,” explained Cassie Martin, who declined to name the business because they later reached an accommodation.

“It was a shock,” her husband said of the incident. “It was unbelievable when it happened.”

With his wife very upset, “I knew we had to do something,” he said.

They began research that showed West Virginia had no law protecting a woman’s right to nurse in public. Since then, they have found other people who had similar incidents and felt the same way.

“We’ve been working with a citizens’ group on the bill,” Cassie Martin said after the committee passed the legislation, sending it on to consideration by the full House of Delegates.

“I wish we didn’t need legislation that says women are permitted to nurse their babies in public,” said Delegate Carrie Webster, D-Kanawha.

Chief House sponsor of the bill, Delegate Bonnie Brown, D-Kanawha, said the six other House sponsors are men.

“It was fitting it was passed out of Judiciary Committee on Women’s Day at the Legislature,” said Brown, who is chairwoman of the House Women’s Caucus.

Webster noted, “men and women recognize the [health] value” of having babies breast-fed. “I think it’s a very pro-health, pro-kids’ bill,” she said.

Brown agreed. “I’m pleased to have been a part of good family-friendly legislation.”

(unrelated portion of article removed)

News Page 1 / Page 2 / Page 3 / Page 4

Mommas Milk Home / Child's Right to Nurse Info / Online Support Form / Links