The Fat Lady Sings

I couldn't bring myself to post this here yesterday, but enough procrastinating:  HB 741 is not going to make it out of the Senate. 

It generally takes more than one session to pass such a significant bill, and all of the work we've done this time has greased the wheels for next session.  We should be very proud of how far we got HB 741 and HB 1706. 

I am incredibly thankful for all of the work that everyone in our community has put into these bills.  Even though the bills aren't passing this session, that work is worthwhile and important.  We've raised awareness in our community and among legislators of the need for legislative support of breastfeeding mothers and babies.  We pushed the bills through Calendars, and one through the House.  They had unanimous support in the House Business and Industry Committee and 741 passed in the House 90-46!  They are good bills and your involvement helped legislators to see that.  Thank you.

I started this blog and the Facebook page (where I manage to post much more frequently - if you've been wondering what's been going on, it's all there and at TXBFLeg.com) to ask for support, and I am overwhelmed on a regular basis by just how much I've been given, and by how many friends I've made.  Thank you.

I'm going to take a break, and the blog and Facebook page will slow way down this summer while I focus on my kids for awhile (and do laundry).  I'll post occasionally, and will keep you apprised of what happens in June with AISD.  But after that, there's much we can do over the next couple of years.  I think we can get these bills through in the next session.

I encourage all of you to write your legislators (always, always, always with the utmost diplomacy, stating facts & avoiding inflammatory language) any time (every time!) you hear of or experience a NIP incident (any interference or restriction, not just being yelled at by a manager or ousted), or a lack of support to pump breastmilk at work - not just in Texas but anywhere.  Because the next time a breastfeeding bill is filed, we want legislators to know this is an issue that concerns their constituents, and it's a problem that needs a legislative solution (not just a solution looking for a problem).

It's over for the moment, but we're not going anywhere, are we?

HB 741 passing in the House
(but it's now stuck in a Senate committee)

Help Today, Please!

This week has been a nail biter, and I wish I had time to write about it, but I've spent every day at the Capitol and am headed there again soon.  Our bills need your help.  Please check the daily action alerts at www.TXBFLeg.com.

Update - Blogging My Butt Off

I have been blogging my butt off lately - just not here.  Get your Texas breastfeeding legislation updates at TXBFLeg.com.

And for more info, you can read my guest posts on

Banned from Baby Showers

Food Good, Laundry Bad

and The Badass Breastfeeder.

I am so thankful to the awesome women who have shared their platforms to spread the word that we need support to make our bills law!

In other news, the Austin Independent School District's School Health Advisory Council has made a recommendation that the board's breastfeeding policy follow state law, and the recommendation has no language implying that breastfeeding may be distracting or disruptive.  'Cause the SHAC is cool like that. 

Cover of the Breastfed Babies calendar delivered to Calendars Committee members this week
with a request to set our bills for the House floor as soon as possible.