July 31, 2024

Bipartisan Duckworth-Daines-Hirono Bill to Better Protect Parents Traveling with Breast Milk Passes Committee

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to make it easier for parents to safely embark on air travel with breast milk and breastfeeding supplies successfully passed through the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST). The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act, co-led by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related nutrition products, including ice packs, in consultation with leading maternal health groups.

“After constantly hearing stories of traveling moms being mistreated and denied access to their breast milk and the breastfeeding equipment that they need, I’m thrilled this legislation passed through committee—making us that much closer to preventing these incidents from ever happening again,” said Duckworth. “Ensuring that the TSA keeps its employees up to speed on their own policies and updates those policies as necessary is the least we can do to help make sure parents traveling through our airports are given the respect and dignity they deserve. Now, the full Senate must pass this legislation—and I’ll do everything I can to make that happen.”

“Being a mom is a tough job, so I’m glad to see this bipartisan legislation moving forward,” said Daines. It’s important that we give mothers the support they need when traveling with breast milk and baby formula, and this is a step forward for families in Montana and across the nation.”

“Families have enough to worry about when traveling, they shouldn’t have to fear being harassed, humiliated, and even put in danger simply for traveling with milk and supplies they need to keep their babies fed,” said Hirono. “I’m glad to see the Commerce Committee advance our Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act, to require TSA to clarify its guidance on handling breast milk and baby formula and help ensure parents and families can travel safely and with peace of mind.”

The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act would help keep breastfeeding parents and their kids safe and healthy while traveling by air. Mishandled breast milk can become contaminated, which puts children at risk. Moreover, parents who lactate typically need to breastfeed or pump once every few hours. Failure to do so can result in a clogged milk duct, or a painful infection called mastitis. The legislation would better protect families by requiring TSA to:

  • Issue guidance promoting the hygienic handling of any breast milk, baby formula or other infant nutrition products, as well as accessories required to preserve these products;
  • Consult with nationally recognized maternal health organizations in establishing and communicating this guidance; and
  • Update guidance every five years to respond to emerging needs of parents and to account for developments in technology.

This legislation would also direct an independent government watchdog to conduct an audit of compliance with TSA screening policies for passengers traveling with breast milk and other infant nutrition products, providing lawmakers with information related to violations of policies. This legislation was first introduced a few months after Emily Calandrelli, host of popular Netflix show Emily’s Wonder Lab, was delayed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) while carrying supplies she needed to safely pump milk for her 10-week-old son. Calandrelli was ultimately forced to check her items despite existing TSA guidelines that permitted her to carry them on. Calandrelli shared her story online and was flooded with hundreds of messages from other mothers who had similar experiences while traveling, including Duckworth.

“I cannot begin to express my gratitude to Senator Duckworth for her unwavering commitment to protect traveling mothers and parents,” said Emily Calandrelli. “This bill marks a significant step forward in easing the burdens that many families, especially mothers, face while traveling. I'm elated that it has passed through committee and am looking forward to seeing it voted into law.”

In addition to the BABES Enhancement Act, two other pieces of legislation led by Senator Duckworth that passed through committee today include:

  • The Youth Poisoning Protection Act, which would protect children and families by banning the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrite.
  • The Think Differently Transportation Act, which would help bring Amtrak stations up to standards enshrined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and require the rail agency to submit annual reports to Congress on the status of its compliance with accessibility standards set by the ADA. This legislation builds on Senator Duckworth’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act that became law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Duckworth has been a strong advocate in ensuring new moms receive the dignity and respect they deserve while traveling. In 2022, Duckworth pressed TSA Administrator David Pekoske for improved treatment of new mothers and Americans with disabilities from employees of the TSA. That same year, Duckworth and Hirono also called on TSA to address inconsistent implementation of the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption travel policy for breastmilk and formula at airport security checkpoints as well as ensure new moms and their infants can travel safely without fear of harassment.

Duckworth has also championed several policies that help make air travel easier for new moms and Americans with disabilities, including her Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation ensuring that small airports across the country support new moms and promote breastfeeding-friendly environments, was signed into law in 2020. The legislation builds on Duckworth’s success in enacting a law that ensures all large and medium airports provide a clean, private space where moms can breastfeed or pump. As a result of her legislation, O’Hare and Midway Airports both installed free-standing lactation pods for new mothers as a result of Duckworth’s FAM Improvement Act.

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