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TEXAS: House Bill 359, 1995
Creates new laws (Subtitle H, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, Chapter
165).
Section 165.001 states that the legislature finds that breast-feeding a
baby is an important and basic act of nurture that must be encouraged in
the interests of maternal and child health and family values. In
compliance with the breast-feeding promotion program established under the
federal child nutrition act of 1966 (42 u.s.c. section 1771 et seq.), the
legislature recognizes breast-feeding as the best method of infant
nutrition.
Section 165.002 states that a mother is entitled to breast-feed her
baby in any location in which the mother is authorized to be.
Section 165.003 provides that a business may use the designation
"mother-friendly" in its promotional materials if the business
develops a policy supporting the practice of worksite breast-feeding that
addresses the following:
- work schedule flexibility, including scheduling breaks and work
patterns to provide time for expression of milk;
- the provision of accessible locations allowing privacy;
- access nearby to a clean, safe water source and a sink for washing
hands and rinsing out any needed breast-pumping equipment; and
- access to hygienic storage alternatives in the workplace for the
mother's breast milk. The business shall submit its breast-feeding
policy to the department. The department shall maintain a list of
"mother- friendly" businesses covered under this section and
shall make the list available for public inspection.
Section 165.004 states that any state agency that administers a program
providing maternal or child health services shall provide information that
encourages breast-feeding to program participants who are pregnant women
or mothers with infants.
Section 165.031 states that the legislature recognizes a mother's
responsibility to both her job and her child when she returns to work and
acknowledges that a woman's choice to breast-feed benefits the family, the
employer, and society. Section 165.032 sets up a demonstration project to
provide access to worksite breast-feeding for department employees who are
mothers with infants. The department shall administer the demonstration
project and shall determine the benefits of, potential barriers to, and
potential costs of implementing worksite breast-feeding support policies
for state employees.
Section 165.033 states that the department shall develop
recommendations supporting the practice of worksite breast-feeding that
address the following:
- work schedule flexibility, including scheduling breaks and work
patterns to provide time for expression of milk;
- the provision of accessible locations allowing privacy;
- access nearby to a clean, safe water source and a sink for washing
hands and rinsing out any needed breast-pumping equipment; and
- access to hygienic storage alternatives in the workplace for the
mother's breast milk.
Section 165.034 states that the department, if requested by the governor
or any member of the legislature, shall submit a report on the
demonstration project to the governor or that member of the legislature
not later than February 1, 1997. The report must include: (1) a
description of the policies developed; (2) a description of the
implementation of the policies in Travis County and any problems
encountered; (3) the extent of use of any breast- feeding or
breast-pumping facilities by department employees; (4) a survey to assess
the level of satisfaction with the breast-feeding or breast-pumping
facilities and the policies by users and their supervisors; (5) the costs
and benefits associated with the demonstration project; (6) a summary of
issues raised by employees; and (7) a recommendation of any changes
necessary for statewide implementation and strategies for implementing the
policies in other state agencies.
For more information contact:
Texas Workforce Commission
Work & Family Clearinghouse
101 E. 15th Street, Room 434T
Austin, TX 78778
Phone: 512-463-3659
Fax: 512-936-3255
e-mail: workfamily@twc.state.tx.us
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