BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 541
86R2967 KKR-D	By: Gonz�lez, Mary et al. (Zaffirini)
	State Affairs
	5/10/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

While current statute protects the right of mothers to breastfeed, it does not explicitly protect the expression of breast milk in public. This leaves the potential for confusion among employers and businesses as to whether pumping is protected by law.

H.B. 541 would ensure that a mother's right to express breast milk in any location in which the mother's presence is otherwise authorized is protected. Protecting the right of mothers to express breastmilk is good for our children, mothers, and our state.

H.B. 541 amends current law relating to the right to express breast milk.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 165.002, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

Sec. 165.002. New heading: RIGHT TO BREAST-FEED OR EXPRESS BREAST MILK. Entitles a mother to breast-feed her baby or express breast milk in any location in which the mother's presence is otherwise authorized, rather than entitling a mother to breast-feed her baby in any location in which the mother is authorized to be.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019. �