06 March 2006

Sebelius signs bill protecting rights of breastfeeding mothers

Calling breastfeeding a healthy way to start a child’s life, Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed a law that reaffirms the ability of a mother to breastfeed in places where she has the right to be.

“We all want children to have the opportunity to grow up happy and healthy,” said Sebelius. “By reaffirming that mothers can breastfeed anywhere they have a right to be, we can help mothers and their babies.”

The bill, HB 2284, also creates a Kansas public policy statement that a mother’s choice to breastfeed should be supported and encouraged to the greatest extent possible. In addition, it provides that the mother would be excused from jury service until she is no longer breastfeeding.

The act will be in effect upon its publication in the Kansas register.