Posts Tagged ‘breastfeeding accommodation’

Rosenbaum & Burdick praise provision that requires worker accommodation

Two chief sponsors of state legislation to improve workplace conditions for mothers who are breastfeeding praised provisions in the federal health care bill signed into law last week.  Inspired by House Bill 2372 from the 2007 session, the federal legislation extends these standards nation-wide.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act states that employers with more than 50 employees must provide reasonable, unpaid break time and a private, non-bathroom place for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth.

“Oregon’s landmark workplace breastfeeding law was a major achievement of the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance and the Oregon Nursing Mother’s Counsel,” said Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), one of two chief House sponsors in 2007. “Oregon has led the nation with a model law that promotes the benefits of breastfeeding.”

“The benefits of accommodating breastfeeding are significant for mothers, their children, and employers,” said Senator Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), the chief sponsor of the 2007 bill in the Senate. “Lower absenteeism, higher worker morale, and healthier children are in everyone’s best interest.”

Both legislators praised U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley for his advocacy on this issue during the recent debate on health care reform. Last year, he introduced the “Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers” as an amendment to the Senate HELP Committee’s health reform bill that ultimately was signed into law. Continue reading “Breastfeeding provision in federal health care reform follows Oregon’s lead” »