California to Require Breastfeeding Rooms at Airports

[KamaAina]

Not The Onion!!

http://www.mothering.com/articles/california-require-breastfeeding-rooms-airports/

California governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill that will require the state’s major airports to provide a breastfeeding room for mothers by 2016. The bill details that the rooms must be private and include a chair and electrical outlet for pumps–while those in newly built terminals will also be required to have a sink. No mention is made about whether multiple accommodations will be required for busier terminals.

The bill, which was recently introduced by Democratic Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, states:

(a) On or before January 1, 2016, the airport manager of an airport operated by a city, county, city and county, or airport district that conducts commercial operations and that has more than one million enplanements a year shall provide a room or other location at each airport terminal behind the airport security screening area for members of the public to express breast milk in private that meets both of the following conditions:

(1) Includes, at a minimum, a chair and an electrical outlet.

(2) Is located outside of the confines of a public restroom.

Lowenthal has said her bill helps mothers who want to breastfeed by providing comfortable and private rooms for pumping. She says breast-feeding mothers should not be confined to the restrooms.

What do you think of this new law? Will it provide a much needed safe haven for nursing moms who are traveling, or is it just another way to force breastfeeding mothers to hide from the public eye?

[shraby]

1. Sure beats the system in place now. None, to feeding the baby in a restroom and that is

not acceptable in no way, shape, or form.

[AndreaCG]

2. I think they are being considerate

It's a great idea.