23/04/2014

Consultation Expected On Breastfeeding Law

A public consultation is to be held on a proposed new law giving mothers the right to breastfeed in public.

The new law, which could be enacted in Northern Ireland in 2016, will be similar to legislation introduced in Scotland in 2005, which made it illegal to prevent nursing mothers breastfeeding in places like cafes, bars, buses and shopping centres.

Currently, mothers that breastfeed are protected under sex discrimination laws, however the new legislation will go further, with businesses and employers facing fines if they fail to comply.

No date for a consultation has yet been set.

(MH/JP)

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