Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire: AIR PUMP Act Introduced & more

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • USBC Conference: Celebrating the Awardees & Last Chance to Register
  • Call for Stories on Workplace Lactation Support
  • Action Alert: Urge Congress to Invest in Breastfeeding
  • USBC in the Media: PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act News Coverage
  • Creating Space Scholarship for New Member Organizations
  • USBC Supports...
• International News
  • USAID Interactive Webpage on Ending Malnutrition
• National News
  • Call for Information on Priority Research for Pregnant and Postpartum Populations
  • Scholarship Opportunity for Aspiring IBCLCs
  • AIR PUMP Act Introduced to Extend Workplace Lactation Protections to Airline Crewmembers
  • DOL Issues Guidance on Enforcement of the PUMP Act
  • House Releases Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill
  • Wise Investment in our Children (WIC) Act Introduced
  • Food Labeling Modernization Act Introduced
  • WIC Healthy Beginnings Act Introduced
  • EEOC Resource on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
  • FDA Infant Formula Webpage 
  • Report on Medicaid Innovation and Child Health
• State & Community News
  • Florida Bill Requiring Lactation Spaces in Courthouses Signed Into Law
  • Paid Parental Leave Bill Introduced in Maine
  • Pennsylvania Bill Introduced to Require Insurer Coverage of Donor Milk
  • New York Bill Introduced to Require Insurer Coverage of Donor Milk
• Funding Opportunities
• 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 Conference: Celebrating USBC Conference Awardees & Last Chance to Register

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to announce the 2023 cohort of conference awardees. Each year the USBC offers a limited number of awards to support the participation of cultural, tribal, and emerging breastfeeding leaders at the National Breastfeeding Conference and Convening. These awards are one component of USBC's ongoing commitment to recognize and promote the efforts of individuals who dedicate their service to communities with breastfeeding rates below the U.S. national average rates. Please join us in celebrating this year's awardees: 

• Legacy Awardee: 
  • Robbie Gonzalez-Dow, California
• Cultural Changemaker Awardees:
  • Keyra Peraza, Washington
  • Maret Wachira, Florida
• Native Knowledge Awardees:
  • Ora Nez, Arizona
  • Ashley Sayers, California
• Hamlin-Taylor Emerging Leader Awardees:
  • Lucy Tyrala, California
  • Kelly Murphy Andruk, Connecticut

Registration for the USBC conference will close on Wednesday, May 31, so secure your spot today! Join us in Bethesda, Maryland, June 8-10, for an enriching and dynamic lineup of presentations, networking opportunities, and unique events. Today, Friday, May 26 is the deadline to apply to sponsor, exhibit, or advertise; learn more on the marketing webpage. Access the online agenda to explore the sessions that will be presented by a diverse group of speakers. Attendees will also have a variety of opportunities for fun and connection, including morning yoga, a documentary film screening, and a dessert party. One-day passes are available upon request. Email office@usbreastfeeding.org to request the promo code needed to access that rate.

Call for Stories: How is the PUMP Act Making a Difference for You and Your Community?

The USBC issued a call for stories on how the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act is making a difference for employers and businesses. The PUMP Act was signed into law nearly six months ago, extending the right to break time and a private space to pump breast milk during the work day to nearly 9 million women of childbearing age and providing a private right of action to all covered workers. Help us understand the impact of this new legislation by sharing your story today! 

Action Alert: Urge Congress to Invest in Breastfeeding

The USBC issued an action alert for individuals to contact their legislators and urge them to support an increase in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the "Tell Congress: Invest in Breastfeeding" action tool. Federal budget negotiations are happening now so we need to make sure policymakers understand that strategic investments in lactation support made possible through the CDC Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program are high-value, low-cost public health interventions that are good for babies, families, public health, and the economy.

USBC in the Media: Scripps Media Interview

Scripps Media interviewed USBC Senior Policy & Communications Manager, Cheryl Lebedevitch, in a video segment titled "PUMP Act Rights." The video describes expanded protections available under the PUMP Act, how the PUMP Act will support a culture shift toward normalizing breastfeeding, and provides tips and resources on meeting the needs of lactating employees. 

Creating Space Scholarship for New Member Organizations

If you are a new USBC member organization or are considering joining the USBC membership, we invite you to apply for the Creating Space Scholarship! This membership scholarship is available to new USBC member organizations that are led by and serving BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) or other priority populations, and have an operating budget of less than $250,000. Through this scholarship program, the USBC is awarding up to 100 organizations complimentary membership for 2023. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, read the blog post about the Creating Space Scholarship opportunity.

USBC Supports...

Congress: The USBC endorsed the AIR PUMP Act 

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International News

USAID Interactive Webpage on Ending Malnutrition

The United States Agency for International Development published a webpage: "Building Momentum for Nutrition: PUTTING PROVEN TOOLS TO WORK." The interactive webpage discusses challenges related to addressing nutrition, including COVID-19, climate change, and conflict. It presents cost-effective and evidence-based solutions and tools for ending severe malnutrition, discusses the goals of the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act, and highlights USAID MOMENTUM's work in several countries, including efforts to increase support for breastfeeding. 

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National News

 Call for Information on Priority Research for Pregnant and Postpartum Populations

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development released the "Request for Information: Prioritization of Drug, Vaccine, and Dietary Supplement Research Needs for Pregnant, Postpartum, and Lactating Persons." The 21st Century Cares Act established the Task Force for Research Specific to Pregnant and Lactating Women (PRGLAC) to provide advice and guidance to the HHS Secretary on activities related to identifying and addressing gaps in knowledge and research on safe and effective therapies for pregnant and lactating persons, including the development of such therapies and the collaboration on and coordination of such activities. Because so few studies have been conducted, some prioritization is necessary to determine which drugs, vaccines, and dietary supplements should be studied first.  Nominations for the priority list of research needs are solicited. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, September 29. To submit more than one nomination, submit the form multiple times.

 Scholarship Opportunity for Aspiring IBCLCs

The United States Lactation Consultant Association announced the IBCLC Education Scholarship. USLCA is offering one education scholarship for the spring IBCLC Scholarship cycle. The scholarship winner will receive complimentary registration to the Lactation Education Resources Lactation Consultant Training Enriched program, which is worth 95 lactation training hours. Qualified applicants must identify as a member of a marginalized community and be actively pursuing their IBCLC credential. The application deadline is Friday, June 2.

AIR PUMP Act Introduced to Extend Workplace Lactation Protections to Airline Crewmembers

Senator Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Hoyle (D-OR-4) introduced the AIR PUMP Act (S.1722/H.R. 3576). Airline crewmembers are not protected by the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act, signed into law in December 2022. The AIR PUMP Act would expand access to workplace lactation accommodations to flight attendants and pilots. The legislation is endorsed by the Air Line Pilots Association, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, Transport Workers Union of America, American Civil Liberties Union, A Better Balance, U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, and Center for WorkLife Law. Senator Merkley, Representative Hoyle, and their allies will be pushing to include the bill as a provision in the upcoming Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization. Read the press release.

DOL Issues Guidance on Enforcement of the PUMP Act

The U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division issued "FIELD ASSISTANCE BULLETIN No. 2023-02 Enforcement of Protections for Employees to Pump Breast Milk at Work." The bulletin provides guidance to Wage and Hour Division field staff regarding the enforcement of pump at work provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The bulletin includes important information on the agency's interpretation and enforcement of the law, including information related to compensation, space requirements, and posting requirements. Employers are required to post a notice explaining the protections available under the FLSA, which has now been updated to reflect current pump at work requirements. 

House Releases Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill

The House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Subcommittee released the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The bill includes $6 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, $800 million below the President's proposed budget, and $90 million for the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program, level funding from Fiscal Year 2023. Highlights from the field include:

• House Appropriations Committee: "Committee Releases FY24 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill"
•  National WIC Association:
  • "National WIC Association Condemns House of Representatives' Proposed Agriculture Appropriations Bill for Drastic Cuts to WIC"
  • "Help us Strengthen WIC Through the FY24 Budget!"

Wise Investment in our Children (WIC) Act Introduced

Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) introduced the Wise Investment in our Children (WIC) Act (S. 1604/H.R. 3364). The bill would expand the eligibility age for children and new mothers and extend infant certification periods within the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Currently, children enrolled in the program age out at their fifth birthday, while postpartum participants are only eligible for services for six months (or up to one year if breastfeeding). This bill would expand that eligibility to ensure children can remain on the program until age six or the beginning of kindergarten, filling a critical gap between the end of WIC eligibility and access to school meals. Postpartum and breastfeeding mothers' eligibility would be expanded to two years. Additionally, infants would only be required to certify enrollment after two years, instead of one. Read the press release.

Food Labeling Modernization Act Introduced

Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representative Pallone (D-NJ-06) introduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2023 (S. 1289/H.R. 2901). The bill would update front-of-package food labeling requirements, require updates to the ingredient list on packaged foods, and apply consumer-friendly labeling requirements. The bill includes a provision on infant and toddler beverages, which would prohibit any beverage other than infant formula represented or purported to be for use by children more than 12 months old, from being identified as infant formula.

WIC Healthy Beginnings Act Introduced

Senator Marshall (R-KS) and Representative McBath (D-GA-7) introduced the WIC Healthy Beginnings Act (S. 974/H.R. 3151). The bill would amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a publicly available federal database of bid solicitations for infant formula under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.  

EEOC Resource on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission published a resource document: "What You Should Know About the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act." The resource provides a detailed explanation of the provisions of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, when it goes into effect, upcoming opportunities to provide input on draft regulations, and other federal laws that apply to pregnant workers.

FDA Infant Formula Webpage 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published an updated version of the Infant Formula webpage. FDA centralized its resources on infant formula in the newly redesigned webpage which provides a single location for consumers and manufacturers to read regulations, recommendations, alerts, and other news related to infant formula in the U.S.

Report on Medicaid Innovation and Child Health

The Institute for Medicaid Innovation released a report: "Innovation in Perinatal and Child Health in Medicaid: Investing in the Prenatal-to-Three Framework to Support Communities and Advance Equity." The report presents profiles of 17 innovative initiatives across five themed groups, aimed primarily at improving outcomes and quality of care during the perinatal and postpartum periods, including lactation support. 

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State & Community News

Florida Bill Requiring Lactation Spaces in Courthouses Signed Into Law

Florida Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 144 into law. The law requires each county courthouse to provide at least one lactation space for members of the public. The space must be hygienic, clean, and sanitary, shielded from public view, free from intrusion, and contain an electrical outlet. The law authorizes the use of state or private funds to provide lactation spaces in appellate courthouses.

Paid Parental Leave Bill Introduced in Maine

Maine Senator Daughtry introduced An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission to Develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program (LD 1964). The bill would establish a state paid family and medical leave program that provides up to 12 weeks of leave that can be used to take paid time away from work to care for a new child, a family member or oneself due to a serious health condition, for safe leave, or for certain exigencies related to a family member's military deployment. The program would be funded through contributions from employers and employees. The bill incorporates the recommendations of the bipartisan commission on paid leave to establish a robust paid family and medical leave program in Maine.

Pennsylvania Bill Introduced to Require Insurer Coverage of Donor Milk

Pennsylvania Senator Bartolotta introduced Senate Bill 673. The bill would require insurers to provide coverage for the use of pasteurized donor human milk and human milk-derived products obtained from a licensed milk bank under the Keystone Mother's Milk Bank Act. Coverage would be required for infants in an inpatient setting who have received an order from a licensed medical professional, have low birth weight, and are premature, or for other medically necessary reasons.

New York Bill Introduced to Require Insurer Coverage of Donor Milk

New York Senator Hoylman-Sigal introduced Senate Bill 6674. The bill would expand coverage requirements for human donor milk, requiring insurers to provide coverage for pasteurized donor human milk, which may include fortifiers as medically indicated. Coverage would be required when a licensed medical practitioner has issued an order for an infant who is medically or physically unable to receive maternal breast milk or participate in breastfeeding or whose mother is medically or physically unable to produce maternal breast milk in sufficient quantities or participate in breastfeeding despite optimal lactation support.

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Funding Opportunities

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services in Indian Country." Application deadline: Tuesday, June 6. 
• First Nations: "California Tribal Fund — Food Sovereignty and Local Control of Food Systems." Application deadline: Wednesday, May 31. 
• Health Resources and Services Administration:
  • "Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program." Application deadline: Friday, July 7.
  • "Healthy Start Initiative – Enhanced." Application deadline: Monday, July 17.

• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health: "Healthy Families Community-Based Perinatal Health Initiative." Application deadline: Tuesday, July 18.

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News & Views

Department of Labor:

• "PUMP Act protections for truck drivers"
• "Resources to Support Working Families"

Representative DeLauro Press Release: "DeLauro, Paid Leave for All, Glamour Host Roundtable Highlighting '28 Days' Storytellers"

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Journal Publications

American Journal of Public Health: "The Pent-Up Demand for Breastfeeding Among US Women: Trends After COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place"

• UCSF news release: "Breastfeeding Increased by 2 Weeks When Mothers Stayed Home"

JAMA Pediatrics: "What Parents Should Know About Returning to Work While Breastfeeding"