The District of Columbia has no law protecting a woman's right to breastfeed her baby in public. While most women find that they can breastfeed their baby wherever they may be without harassment, sometimes women are not so well treated. In some cases, businesses deny service to women who are breastfeeding. There are many places where a woman can be (though fortunately virtually never is) charged with indecent exposure for breastfeeding in public. And some women find difficulty with their employers because they want time or space to breastfeed.

Therefore, this Firm has begun advocating for a change in DC law. Our proposal would protect a woman's right to breastfeed at any public place where she is entitled to be. Our proposal would put in law a clear statement that a woman is not engaged in public indecency if she breastfeeds. Our proposal would require employers to make reasonable efforts to find a sanitary and private space for a woman to breastfeed. And our law would allow women the opportunity (though not the obligation) to defer jury service if they are breastfeeding.

We are very pleased to announce that Councilmember Graham introduced the breastfeeding protection act on Tuesday, March 6, 2007. The bill was aptly titled, "The Child's Right to Nurse Human Rights Amendment Act of 2007."  Councilmembers Schwartz, Barry, and Brown all cointroduced the Bill.  Councilmembers Cheh, Wells, Gray, Catania, and Evans have cosponsored the Bill. The Bill has passed during its first reading and is expected to be voted on a second, final time in September.  The None of this would be possible but for the support of the dozens of folks who called and emailed their councilmembers on this important Bill.

We would love to have your support! We encourage you to write to your Councilmember to support this law. We encourage you to contact organizations that would have an interest in supporting this proposal. And please send a copy of your correspondence to me.