Post by Logan on Apr 19, 2016 4:17:42 GMT -6
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Sen. Maile Shimabukuro knows firsthand how hard it can be to find an appropriate space for breastfeeding. She found herself pumping milk on the bus while commuting to work when she was breastfeeding her son.
For women serving on juries, the challenge can be even greater, because jurors often don’t have access to supplies or an adequate space to pump.
Breastfeeding moms could soon be exempt from jury duty in Hawaii under a bill Shimabukuro co-sponsored and the Hawaii Senate passed on Monday. The bill, which would excuse mothers from jury duty if they are breastfeeding children up to age 2, heads next to Gov. David Ige, who may sign it into law.
“In a confined setting like a jury room or a jury box, it’s a little disconcerting for the mom, as well as for the people around, because not everybody knows how to handle a mom that’s breastfeeding in public,” said state Sen. Roz Baker, who co-introduced the bill. “All the statistics show that you bond, and there are important immunities that pass from mom to baby that you don’t get if you’re not able to breastfeed.”
Read more: www.westhawaiitoday.com/news/state-wire/hawaii-bill-would-excuse-breastfeeding-moms-jury-duty
For women serving on juries, the challenge can be even greater, because jurors often don’t have access to supplies or an adequate space to pump.
Breastfeeding moms could soon be exempt from jury duty in Hawaii under a bill Shimabukuro co-sponsored and the Hawaii Senate passed on Monday. The bill, which would excuse mothers from jury duty if they are breastfeeding children up to age 2, heads next to Gov. David Ige, who may sign it into law.
“In a confined setting like a jury room or a jury box, it’s a little disconcerting for the mom, as well as for the people around, because not everybody knows how to handle a mom that’s breastfeeding in public,” said state Sen. Roz Baker, who co-introduced the bill. “All the statistics show that you bond, and there are important immunities that pass from mom to baby that you don’t get if you’re not able to breastfeed.”
Read more: www.westhawaiitoday.com/news/state-wire/hawaii-bill-would-excuse-breastfeeding-moms-jury-duty