Michigan Civil Rights Commission to Endorse HB5515

Feb 2, 2010

"After House Bill 5515 passed out of the House Judiciary Committee (thanks in large part to the wonderful testimony and support of so many,) it then went to the House of Representatives as a whole. The House leadership could choose to schedule a vote on it at any time.

As we waited to learn when the House would take up the bill, Rep. Warren learned that the Michigan Civil Rights Commission was considering taking a position on it. Because an endorsement from the Commission would be very helpful, it was decided to delay any vote until after the Commission was able to consider the issue.

The Commission held their hearing yesterday, and today we formally received notice that they have endorsed the legislation. We are thrilled.

There is no date set at this time for the House to vote on the bill, but it will likely happen soon. Thank you for inquiring, and you will be the first to know when we learn that the House plans to take it up.

Rep. Warren thanks you for your continued interest and support on this issue."

Kim
Office of Rebekah Warren
State Representative
53rd District

Phone: (517) 373-2577
Fax: (517) 373-5808

Legislative Day of the Michigan Breastfeeding Network

Save the Date!

Support Breastfeeding in Michigan
Legislative Day of the Michigan Breastfeeding Network Breakfast
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Capitol Room 426, Capitol Building, Lansing, MI

Please join us to learn about promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding in Michigan. While the American Academy of Pediatrics has always endorsed breastfeeding as the optimal form of nutrition, Michigan falls short of federal target goals for breastfeeding in the early postpartum period, at six months, and at one year of age. Learn about how breastfeeding reduces health care and absenteeism costs.

Hosted by
The Michigan Breastfeeding Network, State Representative Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor,) and State Representative Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton.)

Here are directions to the Capitol.

Share your Breastfeeding Story

Have you ever been told to stop breastfeeding, cover-up, or to leave a public place because you were breastfeeding? Have you been denied time to pump at work or school? Are you a friend or family member that watched this happen to your loved one? If you, or someone you love, has experienced discrimination for breastfeeding, please share that story with us. It will help us more accurately document the needs of breastfeeding mothers.

Share your Jury Duty Story

If you have experienced problems trying to be excused from jury duty because of breastfeeding or being a full-time caregiver to a child or elder, please share your story. This will help us better understand the needs and experiences that can inform future legislation regarding jury duty.

Conversations with your state legislators

We're inviting breastfeeding supporters all across the state to meet with their state senators and state congressional representatives before in the coming months.

We need ordinary people to start the conversation and to build relationships with their legislators. It's pretty simple to do:

(1) Identify your state senator and state representative

(2) Attend one of their open meetings in your community or schedule an appointment

(3) Ask your legislators a few key questions

• "If there was a breastfeeding bill to protect the rights of nursing mothers and children, do you think there would be any opposition to this? If so, what would it be"
• "Do you know of anyone who would be willing to sponsor this bill?"
• "Have you /spouse, family member, friend ever been discriminated against because of breastfeeding?"

(4) Share any relevant stories you have of being discriminated against while breastfeeding if you have them.

(5) Thank them for their time and you are on your way!

(6) Report your conversations back to us.