Photo: Frazer Harrison/GettyWomen are constantly criticized and shamed for breastfeeding in public — but they can now officially say that it iscompletely legalacross the United States.For years, there were just two states — Utah and Idaho — that did not have laws in place toprotect nursing motherswho need to breastfeed in public. But with new legislation, both states are now on board.The bill passed in Utahwith some resistance — the legislation at first stated that “A woman may breastfeed in any place of public accommodation … irrespective of whether the woman’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breast-feeding,” in line with the rest of the country.But, according to theSalt Lake Tribune, Republican Representative Curt Webb thought the wording would lead to immodesty.“This seems to say you don’t have to cover up at all,” Webb said. “I’m not comfortable with that, I’m just not. It’s really in your face.”With the second part of the bill removed — it now just reads that women are permitted “to breastfeed in any place of public accommodation,” it passed through the state legislature with a vote of 66-5.Idaho’s vote was smoother, with a vote of 66-0 approving legislation that protects breastfeeding mothers from indecent exposure and obscenity laws, according to theIdaho Statesman. However, the bill does not make it completely clear, as other states have done, that women have the right to breastfeed in public.However, issues with the wording notwithstanding, with these two pieces of legislation it isofficially legal to breastfeed in publicin all 50 states. The United States is now up to speed with the U.K., Australia and other countries across the world that protect nursing mothers.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty
Women are constantly criticized and shamed for breastfeeding in public — but they can now officially say that it iscompletely legalacross the United States.For years, there were just two states — Utah and Idaho — that did not have laws in place toprotect nursing motherswho need to breastfeed in public. But with new legislation, both states are now on board.The bill passed in Utahwith some resistance — the legislation at first stated that “A woman may breastfeed in any place of public accommodation … irrespective of whether the woman’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breast-feeding,” in line with the rest of the country.But, according to theSalt Lake Tribune, Republican Representative Curt Webb thought the wording would lead to immodesty.“This seems to say you don’t have to cover up at all,” Webb said. “I’m not comfortable with that, I’m just not. It’s really in your face.”With the second part of the bill removed — it now just reads that women are permitted “to breastfeed in any place of public accommodation,” it passed through the state legislature with a vote of 66-5.Idaho’s vote was smoother, with a vote of 66-0 approving legislation that protects breastfeeding mothers from indecent exposure and obscenity laws, according to theIdaho Statesman. However, the bill does not make it completely clear, as other states have done, that women have the right to breastfeed in public.However, issues with the wording notwithstanding, with these two pieces of legislation it isofficially legal to breastfeed in publicin all 50 states. The United States is now up to speed with the U.K., Australia and other countries across the world that protect nursing mothers.
Women are constantly criticized and shamed for breastfeeding in public — but they can now officially say that it iscompletely legalacross the United States.
For years, there were just two states — Utah and Idaho — that did not have laws in place toprotect nursing motherswho need to breastfeed in public. But with new legislation, both states are now on board.
The bill passed in Utahwith some resistance — the legislation at first stated that “A woman may breastfeed in any place of public accommodation … irrespective of whether the woman’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breast-feeding,” in line with the rest of the country.
But, according to theSalt Lake Tribune, Republican Representative Curt Webb thought the wording would lead to immodesty.
“This seems to say you don’t have to cover up at all,” Webb said. “I’m not comfortable with that, I’m just not. It’s really in your face.”
With the second part of the bill removed — it now just reads that women are permitted “to breastfeed in any place of public accommodation,” it passed through the state legislature with a vote of 66-5.
Idaho’s vote was smoother, with a vote of 66-0 approving legislation that protects breastfeeding mothers from indecent exposure and obscenity laws, according to theIdaho Statesman. However, the bill does not make it completely clear, as other states have done, that women have the right to breastfeed in public.
However, issues with the wording notwithstanding, with these two pieces of legislation it isofficially legal to breastfeed in publicin all 50 states. The United States is now up to speed with the U.K., Australia and other countries across the world that protect nursing mothers.
source: people.com
