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Californian Women Win the Right to Breast-Feed in Public

California Governor Pete Wilson (Rep) signed a bill on July 14th protecting a woman’s right to breast-feed her baby in public. Wilson supported the legislation because nursing promotes maternal and infant bonding and also reduces health care costs for children. Proponents of the measure believe it will lessen the fear of public disapproval which contributes to the low rate of breast-feeding in the United States. When similar legislation was introduced in the state two years ago, however, some Republicans argued that it was unnecessary, and others feared it would lead to public nudity. Despite the opposition that remains today, the legislation will go into effect January 1, 1998, making California the 13th state to explicitly permit breast-feeding in public.

Sources:

Los Angeles Times - July 15,1997

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