Lawmaker supports Maine mothers
AUGUSTA — State Rep. Robert Saucier, D-Presque Isle, has sponsored a bill that would protect nursing mothers from workplace discrimination.
“New mothers should be able to nurse their children, even after they have returned to work,” said Saucier. “We must do more to protect mothers’ rights in the workplace.”
Saucier’s bill would ensure any nursing mother discriminated against in the workplace has a clear avenue to seek recourse under the Maine Human Rights Act.
The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, sex, marital status and religion.
The House and Senate voted to send the bill to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. The committee will schedule the bill for a public hearing.
Federal and state law requires an employer to provide a reasonable break time for an employee with a nursing child. Employers are also required to provide a private place, other than a bathroom, for nursing or to express milk.
FMI, go to: www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280047329.
Saucier is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives and represents part of Presque Isle.
