REPORT TITLE:
Discriminatory Practices


DESCRIPTION:
Makes it discriminatory to 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.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        2774
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC PLACES.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that medical research has
 
 2 documented the many benefits of breastmilk to the health of
 
 3 children.  In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
 
 4 that women breastfeed for at least the first twelve months of a
 
 5 child's life.
 
 6      However, the legislature finds that on occasion, mothers
 
 7 have been told to leave public premises or have been discouraged
 
 8 from breastfeeding by being told to breastfeed in a restroom.
 
 9 The legislature believes that Hawaii's laws should support
 
10 mothers who choose to breastfeed their children.
 
11      The purpose of this Act is to recognize the right of mothers
 
12 to breastfeed their children in places of public accommodations,
 
13 such as stores, parks, and restaurants.
 
14      SECTION 2.  Section 489-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
 
15 amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
 
16      "(b)  It is a discriminatory practice to deny [a person], or
 
17 attempt to deny, the full and equal enjoyment of the goods,
 
18 services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations
 
19 of a place of public accommodations:
 

 
Page 2                                                     2774
                                     H.B. NO.           
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1      (1)  To a person because of the known disability of an
 
 2           individual with whom the person is known to have a
 
 3           relationship or association[.]; and
 
 4      (2)  To a woman because she is breastfeeding a child."
 
 5      SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed.
 
 6 New statutory material is underscored.
 
 7      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
 8 
 
 9                       INTRODUCED BY:  ___________________________