A Current Summary of Breastfeeding Legislation in the U.S.

SUMMARY OF ENACTED BREASTFEEDING LEGISLATION

SOUTH CAROLINA

On May 2, 2006, the Governor signed the following, which clarifies that a mother may nurse her child in public, and exempts such conduct from the indecent exposure statutes.

Act. 289, 2006 (HB 4347).

SECTION 1. Subarticle 1, Article 3, Chapter 7 of Title 20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 20-7-97. (A) A woman may breastfeed her child in any location where the mother and her child are authorized to be.
(B) Breastfeeding a child in a location where the mother is authorized to be is not considered indecent exposure."

SECTION 2. Section 16-15-130 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 16-15-130. (A)(1) It is unlawful for a person to wilfully, maliciously, and indecently expose his person in a public place, on property of others, or to the view of any person on a street or highway.
(2) This subsection does not apply to a woman who breastfeeds her own child in a public place, on property of others, to the view of any person on a street or highway, or any other place where a woman and her child are authorized to be.
(B) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A)(1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than three years, or both."

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
(May 2, 2006).

Last updated Sunday, July 30, 2006 5:49 PM by sjs.

Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:33:18 UTC 2007.