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House Bill 181 has been introduced into the Kentucky House of Representatives for the 2021 Regular Session.

HB181 will require lactation accommodations for students of public institutions of postsecondary education. It will help lactating college students receive time and space accommodations similar to those of working mothers and protect them from academic disciplinary actions.

View the bill's text and status information at https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/21rs/hb181.html.

View an infographic with brief information about the bill.

Currently, HB181 has been introduced to KY House; still waiting for it to be assigned to committee (as of 2/4/21). We need to get it assigned to a committee as quickly as possible, so that it can be considered during this short legislative session.

What you can do – KY Legislature

Call the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181
1. Ask to leave a message for all members of the House Committee on Committees.
2. Message: Please assign HB 181 to a committee as soon as possible so that Kentucky mothers who are college students may argue their case for the legislature’s help. (Feel free to update this wording as you like.)
Contact your own KY Representative
1. Find your Representative at https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/findyourlegislator/findyourlegislator.html
2. Email or call to leave a message, asking for their support to:
  1. Become a co-sponsor to HB181
  2. Support the bill to be heard in Committee and on the House Floor.

What you can do – Your Networks

Ask any public institutions of higher education with which you have a relationship to send a Letter of Support for HB 181 to Rep. Raymond (Josie.Raymond@LRC.KY.GOV). View a template for an academic letter of support as well as KLIC's support letter.
1. We need as many letters from public institutions as possible.
2. Letters from administration, faculty, deans, and student organizations are all great.
3. You could also write your own letter as an alumne, especially if you have personal experience with breastfeeding as a student.
Share this info through your social networks and ask them to do the same, contacting their own institutions and/or to write legislators!
Ask mothers who have applicable stories of balancing studies with breastfeeding to write/contact legislators and ask for support.

Stay Tuned!

LINK Public Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/BreastfeedingKY
Questions?! Contact me!
- Doraine Bailey, KLIC KY Legislative Liaison
- news@klicbreastfeeding.org

KLIC Membership runs from January 1 - December 31. Please join or renew your KLIC membership for 2021.

For $25, you will receive:

- Four free CERPS and/or CEUs at our quarterly meetings.

- Discounted price on annual conference.

- Occasional newsletter

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As a KLIC member, you can also take advantage of a 10% discount on US Lactation Consultant Association membership! After you join/renew with KLIC, we will send you a code for USLCA. Do NOT renew online with USLCA until after you join KLIC.

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Coronavirus and Breastfeeding Resources

(Excerpted in part from the US Breastfeedng Committee) Updated 12/11/2020

Thank you for all you do to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding during this national health emergency.

We are still waiting on more information concerning VACCINES and pregnant/breastfeeding families. Our most updated information is below.

The US Breastfeeding Committee has an excellent compilation of resources on COVID and Breastfeeding at their "Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies" webpage. (last updated 7/23/2020)
The American Academy of Pediatrics published "FAQs: Management of Infants Born to Mothers with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19." The updated guidance on the care of newborns to mothers with COVID-19 suggests that babies are at low risk of becoming infected when they room-in with the mother after birth, if infection control practices are used. This marks a change from the initial AAP guidance, which recommended temporary separation of newborn infants from infected mothers. Read the press release.
A Better Balance released two model state or local-level bills addressing paid sick time during public health emergencies. One model bill provides general paid sick time with additional leave during a public health emergency; and the other model is a standalone bill for paid sick time only during public health emergencies.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives and the Center for WorkLife Law have published a document titled "Pregnancy and Breastfeeding During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Your Workplace Rights." The publication includes information for breastfeeding and pregnant employees about accommodations and leave during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released "Interim Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel and Long-Term Care Facility Residents." The publication includes a section on considerations for vaccinating pregnant and breastfeeding health care providers.
The Center for WorkLife Law released "COVID-19 Prenatal Care Provider's Guide: Supporting Pregnant and Breastfeeding Patients with Work Issues." The guidance includes information on how health care providers can support their breastfeeding and pregnant clients, including examples of effective work accommodation notes.
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine published a statement titled "SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Pregnancy." The letter calls for the inclusion of pregnant and lactating women in vaccination trials, recommends that pregnant women have access to COVID-19 vaccines in all phases of future vaccine campaigns, and that pregnant women and their healthcare professionals engage in shared decision-making regarding her receipt of the vaccine.
COVID-19 News & Views
IBLCE: "IBCLCs…Stronger together in response to COVID-19"
JAMA (editorial): "Infants Born to Mothers With COVID-19—Making Room for Rooming-in"

Upcoming Educational Opportunities:

The next Michigan BF Network webinar is Tuesday, February 16, 1-2pm EDT. Register for this FREE webinar at https://mibreastfeeding.org/webinars/. You can also see their tentative 2021 schedule at this website.
The next USBC Webinar is Tuesday, February 9, 2-3 pm EDT. Topic TBA. Register for this FREE webinar at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/422377757379515393.

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to KLIC whenever you shop through AmazonSmile. The first time you visit, choose "Kentuckiana Lactation Improvement Coalition" as your charitable organization. You use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same. This makes it easy to support KLIC as you shop at Amazon! Start today at https://smile.amazon.com.

KLIC members attending exam review courses in preparation to re-certify as an IBCLC may be eligible for an education scholarship of up to $250 towards fees for such courses. More details can be found at the KLIC Members Only Page (you'll need to log in!)

KY Legislative Update - HB 181

House Bill 181 has been introduced into the Kentucky House of Representatives for the 2021 Regular Session.

What you can do – KY Legislature

What you can do – Your Networks

Stay Tuned!

2021 Membership

Coronavirus and Breastfeeding Resources

COVID-19 News & Views

In the News:

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Education Scholarships for KLIC Members

Join KLIC for free CERPs