SENATE, No. 1212

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MAY 30, 1996

By Senators BENNETT and SINAGRA

An Act concerning breast feeding and supplementing chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Revised Statutes.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The Legislature finds and declares that: the Surgeon General of the United States recommends that babies from birth to one year of age should be breast fed, unless medically contraindicted, in order to achieve a healthy start on life; breast milk strengthens the immune system of babies, improves digestion and is of better nutritional value than regular milk; other benefits include the establishment of a strong mother-baby bond and a potential increase in a baby's IQ level; despite the Surgeon General's recommendation, statistics reveal a declining number of women are choosing to breast feed their children, and nearly half of all new mothers are now choosing formula over breast milk even before they leave the hospital; the social constraints of modern society impede a woman's choice to breast feed due to embarrassment, fear of criminal prosecution and the lack of public acceptance; therefore, it is in the best interest of the State to recognize breast feeding in places of public accomodation as an important right which must be encouraged in order to promote child health.

    2. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a mother shall be entitled to breast feed her baby in any location of a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement wherein the mother is otherwise permitted.

    3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    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.

Permits mothers to breast feed babies in public places.