State Breastfeeding Laws – Two U.S. states do not protect a mother’s right to nurse her child in public:\u00a0 WVa and\u00a0ID. Three additional states only exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws: WY, SD, MI.<\/p>\n
Every state except West Virginia, has some law related to breastfeeding but the laws vary widely.\u00a0 If you know of a law that has been amended and is\u00a0not reflected in this list, please email admin {at} nursingfreedom {dot} org.<\/p>\n
Ala. Code \u00a7 22-1-13 (2006):<\/p>\n
A mother may breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be present.<\/p>\n
Alaska Stat. \u00a7 29.25.080:<\/p>\n
A municipality may not enact an ordinance that prohibits or restricts a woman breast-feeding a child in a public or private location where the woman and child are otherwise authorized to be.<\/p>\n
Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann \u00a7 41-1443 (2006):<\/p>\n
A mother is entitled to breast-feed in any area of a public place or a place of public accommodation where the mother is otherwise lawfully present.
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Ark.\u00a0Stat. Ann. \u00a7\u00a020-27-2001\u00a0(2007): A woman may breastfeed a child in a public place or any place where other individuals are present.<\/p>\n
Cal. Civil Code \u00a7 43.3 (1997): Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, except the private home or residence of another, where the mother and the child are otherwise authorized to be present.<\/p>\n
Colo. Rev. Stat. \u00a7\u00a025-6-302\u00a0(2004): A mother may\u00a0breastfeed in any place she has a right to be.<\/p>\n
Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 46a-64: It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section . . . for a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement to restrict or limit the right of a mother to breast-feed her child; and \u00a7 53-34b: No person may restrict or limit the right of a mother to breast-feed her child.<\/p>\n
Del. Code Ann. tit. 31 \u00a7 310 (1997): Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, a mother shall be entitled to breast-feed her child in any location of a place of public accommodation wherein the mother is otherwise permitted.<\/p>\n
D.C. Code Ann. \u00a7 2-1402.82(c)(1): A woman shall have the right to breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where she has the right to be with her child, without respect to whether the mother’s breast or any part of it is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding of her child.<\/p>\n
Pub. L. No. 106-058, \u00a7 647: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a woman may breastfeed her child at any location in a Federal building or on Federal property, if the woman and her child are otherwise authorized to be present at the location.<\/p>\n
Fla. Stat. \u00a7 383.015(1) (1993): \u00a0A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.<\/p>\n
Ga. Code \u00a7 31-1-9 (1999): [A] mother may breast-feed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breast-feeding.<\/p>\n
Hawaii Rev. Stat. \u00a7\u00a0489.21: It is a discriminatory practice to deny, or attempt to deny, the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of a place of public accommodations to a woman because she is breastfeeding a child.<\/p>\n
No state law specifically protects breastfeeding pairs.<\/p>\n
Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 740 \u00a7 137 (2004): A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding; . . . a mother . . . in a place of worship shall comport her behavior with the norms appropriate in that place of worship.<\/p>\n
Ind. Code \u00a7 16-35-6:\u00a0Notwithstanding any other law, a woman may breastfeed her child anywhere the woman has a right to be.<\/p>\n
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Iowa Code \u00a7 135.30A (2002): Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a woman may breast-feed the woman’s own child in any public place where the woman’s presence is otherwise authorized.<\/p>\n
Kan. Stat. Ann.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a7 65-1,248(b): A mother may breastfeed in any place she has a right to be.<\/p>\n
Ky.\u00a0Rev. Stat. \u00a7\u00a0211-755(1)\u00a0(2006): Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, a mother may breast-feed her baby or express breast milk in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be.<\/p>\n
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. \u00a7\u00a051. 2247.1(B) (2001): Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a mother may breastfeed her baby in any place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement.<\/p>\n
Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 5, \u00a7 4634 (2001): Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breast-feed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be.<\/p>\n
Md. Health-General Code Ann.\u00a0\u00a7\u00a020-801 (2003): (a) A mother may\u00a0breast-feed her child in any public or private location in which the mother and child are authorized to be. (b) A person may not restrict or limit the right of a mother to\u00a0breast-feed her child.<\/p>\n
Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 111 \u00a7 221(a) (2008): A mother may breastfeed her child in any public place or establishment or place which is open to and accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public and where the mother and her child may otherwise lawfully be present.<\/p>\n
Mich. Comp. Laws \u00a7 41.181, \u00a7 67.1aa &\u00a0\u00a7 117.4i et seq. (1994): [Michigan law exempts breastfeeding from public indecency laws.]\n
Minn. Stat. \u00a7145.905: A mother may breast-feed in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breast-feeding.<\/p>\n
Miss. Code Ann.\u00a0\u00a7 17-25-7 (2006): A mother may breast-feed her child in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, without respect to whether the mother’s breast or any part of it is covered during or incidental to the breast-feeding.<\/p>\n
Mo. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 191.918\u00a0(1999): Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a mother may, with as much discretion as possible, breast-feed her child in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be.<\/p>\n
Mont. Code Ann. \u00a7 50-19-501 (1999): A mother has a right to breastfeed the mother’s child in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be present, irrespective of whether or not the mother’s breast is covered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.<\/p>\n