JEFFERSON CITY — A measure sponsored by Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, to protect the needs of nursing mothers and their babies was approved by the Missouri Senate and is now on its way to the House for consideration.

Senator Schaaf’s legislation (SB 87) would strengthen protections outlined in Missouri law that allow mothers to discreetly breast-feed in public places. Senate Bill 87 affirms that the act of a mother breast-feeding her child or expressing breast milk in a public or private location cannot be constituted as sexual conduct or be considered as public indecency. A municipality would not be able to enact an ordinance prohibiting a mother from breast-feeding a child in public. Senate Bill 87 would also add nursing mothers to the list of individuals who could be excused from jury duty. Any nursing mother, upon her request and with a written statement from her physician, would be excused from jury service.

“Mothers should not have to sacrifice their children’s needs or worry about possible consequences for nursing in a public place or needing to excuse themselves from jury duty to nurse their children,” Sen. Schaaf said. “Research highlights the many health benefits of breast-feeding, and, by eliminating potential barriers nursing mothers face when they need to tend to their children, mothers will feel more secure in breast-feeding their children, resulting in healthier outcomes for young ones in Missouri and saving the state money otherwise spent on children’s potential medical care.”

If approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, SB 87 would take effect on Aug. 28. For more information about this legislation, visit the Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov.