HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1659        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1535

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Harriett L. Stanley

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to maternity patients' rights.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Harriett L. Stanley

2nd Essex

1/20/2011


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1659        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1535

By Ms. Stanley of West Newbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1535) of Harriett L. Stanley relative to information provided to maternity patients regarding infant feeding.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

_______________

 

An Act relative to maternity patients' rights.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 70E of Chapter 111 of the General laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, after the 7th paragraph, the following new paragraph:—

"Every maternity patient, at the time of admission, shall have the right to be informed and receive complete information and materials, support and counsel from an admitting hospital on all infant feeding choices. When a maternity patient chooses a method of infant feeding, said choice shall be supported and counseled. Health care providers and maternity patients shall have access to infant feeding materials and educational information, including, but not limited to, breast pumps, feeding supplies and bottles, infant formula samples and preparation instructions. Further, sample formula and formula equipment shall be distributed to a breastfeeding maternity patient only when an individual physician order is written or on request of the maternity patient."