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Bill protects public
Major legislation stalled
breast-feeding
Fluoridation, gambling bills dying Associated PressA mother would have the right to breast-feed her baby in the swankiest restaurants or ritziest stores in town under a bill approved yesterday by the House Labor and Public Employment Committee.
Also, any woman barred from breast-feeding or kicked out of any public establishment for breast-feeding could seek damages for public humiliation through the state Civil Rights Commission.
The measure next goes to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
A trio of breast-feeding mothers who testified before the Labor Committee gave an impromptu demonstration outside the hearing room.
"Breast-feeding is not sexual or lewd behavior," said Harry Yee, chairman of the Civil Rights Commission. "Breast-feeding mothers are not exhibitionists. They are simply caring for their children in the most natural way possible."
Rose Schilt, executive director of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, said there have been reports of women being forced to get off a city bus, leave a state office, go from an appointment waiting room and leave large retail stores.
"In the course of a day's public activities, breast-feeding women and their infants should never feel forced to choose less acceptable options of breast-feeding in restrooms, closets or cars, or in such way as to attempt to be publicly invisible," she said.
"Because other aspects relating to breasts get more attention in our society, such as breast augmentation, clothing and product advertising, it is important to recognize the natural and nonsexual functions of breasts as mammary glands, providing the best nutrition for infants," Schilt said.
The measure was supported by the state Department of Health, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Hawaii Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Kaiser Permanente and the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.
Hawaii Restaurant Association President Patrick McCain said his organization has taken no position on the bill and is not opposed to mothers breast-feeding in public.
Committee Chairwoman Terry Yoshinaga (D, McCully-Moiliili-Pawaa) noted that medical research has shown the health benefits of breast milk for babies, so breast-feeding should be encouraged and not shamed.
"I personally would not feel comfortable doing it in public, but for other people who don't have that or if they want to have the opportunity to do that, they should not be discriminated against," she said.
No one opposed the bill.
"If retail establishments, restaurants and whoever have concerns, they can raise them at the next committee," Yoshinaga said.
Although there is no similar bill now before the state Senate, key lawmakers there said there is support for a right to breast-feed in public.
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Legislature Bills & Hawaii Revised Statutes
Fluoridation, gambling
By Pat Omandam
are dead or dying
Star-BulletinFluoridation of Hawaii's drinking water has not only divided the community but also the state Legislature.
The House voted this week to keep a fluoridation bill alive. But a key senator said she plans to hold the measure until next year, pending a study into the effects of fluoridation in other states.
Gov. Ben Cayetano, who believes fluoridation can improve the dental hygiene of Hawaii's children, said he'll be disappointed for the kids if the measure dies this year.
"The children out there who I know, because the parents are not able to teach them proper dental hygiene, their teeth will be ruined by the time they get to an age where they themselves can understand what's going on," he said.
In other news at the state Capitol:
CENTENNIAL HONOR: State Rep. Michael Kahikina (D, Nanakuli) wants President Clinton to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the day Hawaii became a territory.
Kahikina has introduced a resolution that commemorates the April 30 centennial and also invites Clinton and Congress to gather with native Hawaiians at Iolani Palace to talk about the Organic Act. He plans to hold a news conference at noon Monday at Queen Liliuokalani Statue to talk about the resolution.
CAMPAIGN SPENDING: The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday hears a bill that increases fines for campaign spending violations to three times the amount of the unlawful contribution or expenditure.
The measure also makes it a Class C felony for candidates who exhibit a pattern intended to conceal ongoing or past violations.
Senate Bill 2146 is among 10 elections-related bills being heard at 9 a.m. in Capitol Room 229.
COMING ATTRACTIONS: Prospective television series and producers would qualify for public funding through grants and loans for movies or television shows that promote Hawaii, under a bill approved this week by a House committee.
The measure, aimed at attracting the entertainment industry to Hawaii, could help current shows, such as "Baywatch Hawaii," get the funding they need to continue filming here.
BIG BANGS: The House is reviewing a Senate proposal that allows the counties to limit fireworks to only religious or cultural purposes, while it toughens importation and possession laws on aerial fireworks, which are already illegal to set off.
State Sen. Cal Kawamoto (D, Waipahu) backed off a ban on fireworks, but wants a limit of 500 firecrackers per person with a 24-hour purchase period.
Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary this week is contemplating a series of proposed gun laws, including the periodic re-registration of firearms and proof of gun registration to buy ammunition. Both bills stem from last November's Xerox shootings and are among the gun laws pushed by the Cayetano administration.
MINIMUM WAGE: The state's minimum wage rises to $5.75 on Jan. 1, 2003, under a bill pending before the House Finance Committee. Lawmakers said the two-year deferment of the wage increase helps employers prepare for the 9.5 percent pay increase. They believe the economy will improve enough by then to lessen the impact of the wage hike.
GAMING RUN AGROUND: The state House killed a bill this week that allows shipboard gaming in Hawaii. State Rep. Jerry Chang (D, Hilo) wanted the measure kept alive so gaming industry officials could respond to lawmakers' concerns. The House, however, didn't want the issue to dominate the session, although it may appear again next year.
Cayetano said he would veto any gaming measure that makes it to his desk.
"It's been proposed by people who do not want to make the necessary changes to government, but instead are just looking for another revenue source, and I don't think that's going to help in the long run," he said.
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Legislature Bills & Hawaii Revised Statutes
