Breast-feeding bill passes House

Proponents say the public needs more info on breast-feeding benefits.
By MICHELE C. HLADIK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- A bill that would allow women to breast-feed in stores, restaurants, amusement parks and other public locations easily passed the Ohio House of Representatives on Wednesday.
House members voted 92-5 to approve Senate Bill 41 after an attempt to amend the bill by removing language "entitling" women to breast-feed in public places fell through. The amendment would have replaced that section with language declaring it "strong public policy" to encourage breast-feeding.
State Rep. Diana Fessler, R-New Carlisle, introduced the amendment.
"My issue is not with breast-feeding," she said, adding that she believed the original wording would "create an entitlement" for any woman to expose her breasts.
Asked to leave
Sen. Patricia Clancy, R-Cincinnati, said she introduced the bill after learning of a woman being asked to leave a Wal-Mart store when she tried to breast-feed her baby. She said Wal-Mart has since changed its policy but that she later learned of women asked to leave various other stores throughout the state for the same reason.
"It certainly says there's a need for this," she said.
Supporters said the bill would educate the public on the benefits of breast-feeding. If women are allowed to breast-feed in public, it will become accepted by others, supporters said.
"The benefits of breast-feeding far outweigh any problems that may exist," Clancy said.
Supporters include the Ohio Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics, the Ohio Lactation Consultant Association and the Ohio Council of Churches, among others.
Unfortunate need
"I really think it's unfortunate there is a need for this bill," said Nancy Howe, president of the Ohio Lactation Consultant Association. "If you are embarrassed, turn your head. I personally feel bottle feeding is offensive."
According to Tom Smith, public policy director for the Ohio Council of Churches, his group offered support because of the health benefits for babies.
"We just think women who want to do this are being discriminated against," he said. "We in this country should do all we can for babies and mothers, not put up road blocks."
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce said it would not take a position on the bill and would remain an interested party, said William Fitzgibbon, director of Ohio Small Business Council. Fitzgibbon is monitoring the legislation for the Chamber of Commerce.
"We are not making [the bill] a vote that counts on our voting record," he said.
Not commenting
Fitzgibbon said he didn't wish to comment on how businesses would be affected if the bill becomes law.
Gov. Bob Taft's office declined to say if he would sign the bill.
Clancy introduced similar legislation in 2004 but it died at the end of the legislative session. She said she is hopeful the legislation will make it into law this time.
"We've come a long way," she said.
The state Senate unanimously approved the current bill earlier this year.
According to Clancy, 39 other states allow women the right to breast-feed babies in public.