ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 548

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: OCTOBER 10, 1996

      The Assembly Community Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 548.

      This bill amends New Jersey's civil rights law, chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Revised Statutes (C.10:1-1 et seq.), to allow a mother the right to breast feed her child in any location of a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement where the mother is otherwise permitted. Breast feeding has been recommended by the Surgeon General as an important way to give babies a healthy start on life. Its benefits include improved digestion, a strengthened immune system, a potential increase in a baby's IQ level and the creation of a strong mother-baby bond.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996-97 session pending techinal review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.