PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Health is working to raise public awareness of a new state law, effective March 1, 2009, that explicitly gives women the right to breast- or bottle-feed their children in any place that is open to the public, including public areas within businesses.
A previous law exempted breastfeeding mothers from disorderly-conduct laws; the new law also protects them from being made to leave a public place or to stop breastfeeding in public.
“Breastfeeding protects mothers and their babies from numerous health risks and results in significant cost savings for families, the health care system, and employers who support breastfeeding families,” Dr. David R. Gifford, the state director of health, said in a news release. “At a time when the state budget and health care system are stretched beyond capacity, promoting breastfeeding is a smart and cost-effective health care strategy.”
Building a Strong Data Foundation in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key priority in the boardroom and across management —…
Learn More
The Department of Health is developing outreach materials to help businesses accommodate mothers who want to breastfeed.
In addition, it and the Physicians’ Committee for Breastfeeding in Rhode Island, which is helping promote the new law, are recognizing two workplaces this month for their support for mothers: the R.I. Department of Administration, in Providence; and the Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems’ Seapower Capability Center, in Portsmouth. The recognition is based on a 15-point assessment, including whether a business allows clients to breastfeed in public spaces.
Lastly – using a federal grant – the state is distributing a new toolkit called the “Business Case for Breastfeeding.” The toolkit shows how supporting breastfeeding employees can reduce missed days, lower health care costs and turnover, and improve productivity.
Additional information is available from the R.I. Department of Health at www.health.ri.gov/family/breastfeeding.
