ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 370

WHEREAS, The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association
of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners recommend breast-feeding for as long
as possible during a child's first year of life; and

WHEREAS, Health experts have stated that increased breast-feeding rates
could save infant lives; and

WHEREAS, Government and private experts are working to raise the rate of
breast-feeding of infants; and

WHEREAS, No mother should be made to feel incriminated or socially
ostracized for breast-feeding her child; and

WHEREAS, The State is interested in the promotion of family values and to
that end encourages public acceptance of this basic act of nurture between a mother
and her child; and

WHEREAS, There is a social and economic benefit for the State in the creation
of an atmosphere in which a mother can feel safe and confident about breast-feeding
her child; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

SUBTITLE 8. BREAST-FEEDING.
20-801.

(A)     A MOTHER MAY BREAST-FEED HER CHILD IN ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
LOCATION IN WHICH THE MOTHER AND CHILD ARE AUTHORIZED TO BE.

(B)     A PERSON MAY NOT RESTRICT OR LIMIT THE RIGHT OF A MOTHER TO
BREAST-FEED HER CHILD.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2003.

Approved May 22, 2003.

CHAPTER 370
(Senate Bill 282)

AN ACT concerning

Vehicle Laws - Suspension of Driver's License - Theft of Motor Fuel

FOR the purpose of authorizing for a first offense, and requiring for a second or
subsequent offense, the Motor Vehicle Administration to suspend, for a certain
period of time, the driver's license of a person who is convicted of a theft offense

- 2613 -