Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Action Opportunities, Special Section on Paid Leave, & more

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • USBC Presents at First 1,000 Days Kansas Policy Update Meeting
  • Take Action in Support of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus
  • USBC is Hiring a Senior Development Coordinator: Apply Today!
  • Donate Your Old Vehicle and Support USBC
• Special Section on Paid Family and Medical Leave
• International News
  • WHO & HRP Journal Series on Positive Postnatal Care Experience
• State & Community News
  • DC & Maryland 2024 Annual Breastfeeding-Friendly Awards
  • Arizona Bill Introduced to Require Breastfeeding Accommodations for Teachers
• Action Opportunities
• Upcoming Events
• News & Views
• Journal Publications

 denotes a USBC member organization news item        denotes a USBC-affiliated constellation news item

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USBC Updates

USBC Presents at First 1,000 Days Kansas Policy Update Meeting

First 1,000 Days Kansas hosted the February 2024 First Fridays Policy Update meeting, which featured a presentation by USBC National Policy Director, Cheryl Lebedevitch. The meeting discussed the life-saving benefits of pasteurized donor human milk and opportunities to bridge gaps in access to donor milk, including through the Access to Donor Milk Act (ADMA). Organizations are invited to sign on to the joint letter in support of the ADMA and individuals are encouraged to use the "Tell Policymakers: Donor Milk Saves Lives" to contact their legislators. 

Take Action in Support of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee urges individuals to use the "Moms Need Action: Pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus" action tool to contact their Senators and Representative. The U.S. is facing a maternal health crisis and communities of color disproportionately bear the burden of systemic failures that contribute to preventable maternal deaths. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus is a robust package that includes thirteen bills addressing the drivers of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States, including barriers to breastfeeding. Individuals can use the tool to call on their members of Congress to take action to end this crisis by passing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus.

USBC is Hiring a Senior Development Coordinator: Apply Today!

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is still accepting applications for the Senior Development Coordinator staff role. The Senior Development Coordinator will support the creation and implementation of the annual development plan and fundraising campaigns for the organization. This full-time, remote staff role will work to maximize engagement among stakeholders in order to extend the USBC impact and financial sustainability. Visit the Job Opportunities webpage to learn more and apply.

Donate Your Old Vehicle and Support USBC!

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee partners with CARS, a non-profit 501(c)(3) that turns old vehicles into cash that directly benefits the USBC. By donating your used or otherwise non-functioning vehicle, boat, plane, trailer, RV, or even farm equipment, you will be contributing essential funding for our continued efforts making policy, system, and environment changes that support breastfeeding and increase access to human milk. CARS has made the donation process seamless from start to finish with experts who are prepared to handle all the details for you, making it easy to clear that clutter from your driveway, yard, or garage. All you need to do is complete a simple form or make a call. Break up with your old car and embrace the space you are opening up in your driveway, garage, or shed, all while feeling great about your donation, which may be tax-deductible. Visit the Ways to Give webpage to learn more.

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Special Section on Paid Family and Medical Leave

Access to paid family and medical leave has a significant impact on breastfeeding outcomes. Yet, the United States is one of the only countries in the world without a national paid family and medical leave program, and many workers are not even eligible for unpaid leave. The USBC and the lactation field have been active in efforts to increase access to paid leave. Highlights from the field on this policy area include:

• Arizona: Arizona State Senator Epstein introduced Senate Bill 1397. The bill would require the establishment of a paid family and medical leave study committee to explore the costs, benefits, and feasibility of paid leave programs and produce a report detailing recommendations and information regarding possible legislation to implement and fund a paid leave program in Arizona. 
• DOL: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Women's Bureau released "Findings And Impacts Of The 2014-2016 Women’s Bureau Paid Leave Analysis Grants." Between 2014 and 2016, the Women's Bureau awarded $3.15 million in Paid Leave Analysis Grants to 17 states and municipalities to research the need for and impact of paid leave and support the development and implementation of state paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs. This issue brief details the key findings from the research conducted by the grantees.
• GAO: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report to Congressional Committees, "Paid Parental Leave: OPM Should Take Steps to Further Raise Awareness of the Program." The Federal Employee Paid Leave Act of 2019 (FEPLA) provided a new paid parental leave benefit to most federal civilian employees. GAO analyzed Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data on the government-wide use of paid parental leave and provided recommendations to raise awareness of the program to current and prospective employees.
• Georgia: Georgia State Representative Jones introduced House Bill 1010. The bill would increase the amount of paid parental leave available for state and local government employees from 120 hours to 240 hours.
• Hawaii: 
  • Hawaii State Representative Matayoshi introduced and the Hawaii House Committee on Labor & Government Operations advanced House Bill 2757. The bill would require the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance the payment of benefits. The program would provide up to twelve weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, for the employee to care for themselves or a family member with a serious health condition, or in relation to military service.
  • Hawaii State Representative Lamosao introduced House Bill 2004. The bill would require the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to conduct an actuarial study on a leave grant pilot program to help small businesses offer their employees paid family leave and paid sick leave. 
• Kentucky: Kentucky State Senator Bledsoe introduced An act relating to paid parental leave (SB 142). The bill would provide Commonwealth employees a paid leave of absence of up to four weeks for the birth, surrogacy, or adoption of a child, or up to two weeks for the placement of a child in foster care or kinship care. 
• Missouri: Missouri State Representative Representative Moore introduced the Missouri Earned Family and Medical Leave Act (HB 2597). The bill would provide up to six weeks of wage replacement benefits to employees who take time off work for family or medical leave.
• New York: New York State Representative Hermelyn introduced Assembly Bill A8995. The bill would require employers to provide railroad employees with light duty during pregnancy if needed and also provide up to twelve weeks of paid parental leave. 
• Utah: Utah State Representative Pierucci introduced House Bill 431. The bill includes a range of provisions aimed at improving teacher retention in the state, including providing up to three weeks of paid postpartum recovery leave. 
• Tennessee: Tennessee State Senator White and Representative Moody introduced Senate Bill 2655/House Bill 2697. The bill would require public charter schools to provide educators six work weeks of paid leave after the birth or stillbirth of the educator's child or after the educator's adoption of a newly placed minor child. 
• West Virginia: West Virginia State Representative Kirby introduced the State Employee Paid Leave Act (HB 5001). The bill would provide twelve weeks of paid family leave for state employees due to the birth of a child of the employee; placement of a child with the employee for adoption; to care for the employee's family member who has a serious health condition; because of a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the functions of the employee's position; or because of any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the spouse, or a son, daughter, or parent of the employee is on covered active duty in the Armed Forces.

Paid Leave News & Views

• Politico: "NYC gives raises, extends parental, family leave to retain city workers"
• The 19th: "The 19th Explains: Why there's growing momentum for paid leave policies"
• U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan:
  • "Houlahan, All of Bicameral Paid Leave Leaders Implore OPM to Fix Misleading Paid Leave Guidance for Federal Employees"
  • "House Bipartisan Paid Family Leave Working Group Holds First Meeting on Legislative Framework Pillars"
• VPM: "Lawmakers consider paid family medical leave program"

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International News

WHO & HRP Journal Series on Positive Postnatal Care Experience

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Special Programme on Human Reproduction (HRP) launched "WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience," a new series on positive postnatal care experiences in BMJ Global Health. The series is complemented by a series of advocacy and policy briefs and includes papers exploring factors that influence the uptake of postnatal care, including breastfeeding support, and the experiences of women, families, and health workers.

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State & Community News

 DC & Maryland 2024 Annual Breastfeeding-Friendly Awards

The DC and Maryland Breastfeeding Coalitions announced the 2024 Annual Breastfeeding-Friendly Awards and are seeking nominations to recognize Maryland and DC area Workplaces, Childcare Providers, and Healthcare Providers who play critical roles in supporting breastfeeding. The Workplace Award recognizes businesses that have demonstrated support for breastfeeding through a conducive office environment. The Healthcare Professional Award recognizes demonstrated support for breastfeeding in the office, along with the education of fellow healthcare professionals, office staff, and families. The Childcare Provider Award acknowledges the critical role daycare providers play in supporting breastfeeding.

Arizona Bill Introduced to Require Breastfeeding Accommodations for Teachers

Arizona State Senator Bennett introduced Senate Bill 1555. The bill would require school districts and charter schools to provide reasonable accommodations for breastfeeding teachers, including reasonable breaks and a private place to allow the nursing mother to breastfeed unless the accommodations pose an undue hardship. The bill would legislate that school districts and charter schools may not prohibit a nursing mother who is a teacher at the school from bringing her infant to the school to breastfeed.

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Action Opportunities

 USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS): "Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Intervention Submission Form and Scoring Tool"

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Upcoming Events

Tuesday, February 27:

• Main Street Alliance: "Getting Up To Speed: State Momentum for Paid Family Medical Leave!"

Thursday, February 29:

•  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "SPAN, HOP, REACH – Five-Year Impact and Stories from State and Local Efforts"

Thursday, March 14:

• Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs: "AMCHP Policy & Partnerships Town Hall Series" (Recurring Meeting)

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News & Views

OnLabor: "The Past, Present, and Future of Pregnancy in the Workplace"

Public Health Review Morning Edition: "591: Infant Mortality Data Offers Mixed Results, Preparedness Lessons"

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Journal Publications

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): "QuickStats: Percentage of Newborns Breastfed Between Birth and Discharge* from Hospital, by Maternal Age — National Vital Statistics System, 49 States† and the District of Columbia, 2021 and 2022"

International Breastfeeding Journal:

• "Determinants of health care worker breastfeeding experience and practices and their association with provision of care for breastfeeding mothers: a mixed-methods study from Northern Thailand"
• "Mothers' experiences and perceptions of breastfeeding peer support: a qualitative systematic review"
• "Promoting breastfeeding in women with gestational diabetes mellitus in high-income settings: an integrative review"

JAMA:

• "Breastfeeding Initiation by WIC Receipt After Formula Shortages in 2022"
• "Delivering on the Promise of Human Milk for Extremely Preterm Infants in the NICU"