- Idaho and Utah recently passed laws legalizing public breastfeeding, according to USA Today.
- With the passing of laws in these two states, it is now legal to breastfeed in public everywhere in the United States.
- People were thrilled with the news, but also shocked it has taken the US this long as the UK and Australia have had similar laws in place for years.
It's finally legal to breastfeed in public anywhere in the United States. Recently, Idaho and Utah signed bills into law permitting public nursing. With this act, the US is now up to speed with the UK and Australia where it has been legal since 2010 and 1984, respectively.
Republican Rep. Paul Amador, the sponsor of the Idaho bill, had expressed his frustration with his state's lack of protection for nursing mothers in the past, according to USA Today.
"Personally, I find it disappointing that we're in 2018 and we still haven't passed this law in Idaho," he said to the House. "I think we can take a proactive stance here through legislation to promote the natural bond and health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child. I also believe the health and nutritional choices of our families are best left as decisions for our families, not our government."
According to the Independent, the bill passed in March unanimously but just recently went into effect.
Many people echoed Amador's statements, saying they were shocked it took the United States this long to jump on board.
Today, in July of 2018, we have finally agreed to stop sexualizing women’s bodies just enough to allow them to feed their infant children in places where you might see them doing it. Keep that baby attached though ladies nip slips are still illegal. https://t.co/k2ZxsSM0Tf
— feminist next door (@emrazz) July 26, 2018
Breastfeeding is now legal in all 50 states of American. Ummm, I’m sorry? It was illegal to breastfeed a child in public!? 🤯
— Claree. (@Claree_Peterson) July 26, 2018
Im not sure why we even have to legalize what breasts are intended to do but I guess I’ll celebrate the US taking a big step towards ending the sexualization of boobs #freetheboob #breastfeeding https://t.co/7ve56DV6Dz
— Caitlin Oster (@LilMrsOster) July 26, 2018
Breastfeeding is now legal in all 50 states.
— 🦉 (@BirdByTheTree) July 25, 2018
In 2018.
Seriously.
That country is a fuckin shambles.
Bout time! We're so backwards sometimes. Interesting how so many other laws in the US were passed for the entire nation long before all the States made breastfeeding legal. Priorities priorities. https://t.co/d8DHwy8vIA
— Quang D. Tran, S.J. (@LeMeTellUSumtin) July 26, 2018
The bill in Utah, however, was met with more opposition.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the initial wording of the bill, which read that public breastfeeding would be legal "irrespective of whether the woman's breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding " was altered after Republican Rep. Curt Webb complained during a bill hearing that it would lead to immodest behavior.
"This seems to say you don't have to cover up at all. I'm not comfortable with that, I'm just not," Webb said. "It's really in your face."
The bills sponsor, Republican Rep. Justin Fawson, said he feels mothers should be comfortable feeding their children anywhere The Tribune reported.
"I would ask you when the last time you had a meal in a restroom was," he said. "I would say probably never. It's not a very comfortable place to hang out."
According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the amended bill passed with a vote of 66-5 in January.
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SEE ALSO: There's no such thing as a 'right' amount of time to breastfeed your baby, doctors say
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