Idaho has finally passed a Bill in their state House to protect breastfeeding mothers. Prior to the unanimous vote Idaho was the ONLY state without legislation to protect moms who chose to breastfeeding publicly.
Proposed by Representative Paul Amador (R), husband and father, the Bill excludes women from the state's indecency act.
SECTION 2. That Section 18-4116, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended to read as follows:
18-4116. INDECENT EXPOSURE. Every person who willfully and lewdly, either:
(1) Exposes his or her genitals, in any public place, or in any place where there is present another person or persons who are offended or annoyed thereby; or,
(2) Procures, counsels, or assists any person so to expose his or her genitals, where there is present another person or persons who are offended or annoyed thereby is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of subsection (1) or (2) of this section or a similar statute in another state or any local jurisdiction for a second time within five (5) years, notwith standing the form of the judgment(s) or withheld judgment(s), is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a period not to exceed ten (10) years.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to the breastfeeding of a child or the expression of breast milk for the purpose of feeding a child.
This Bill, however does not include language that establishes a mother's right to breastfeeding in public. It was a compromise for state legislators. The Bill was passed with a 69-0 vote. To officially become a law it needs to be passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor.
To read about your state's breastfeeding laws click here.
proposed by freshman Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene
