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You can help with some things regardless of where you live.You can call or write again today even if you have already.
WHERE WE ARE, & WHERE WE NEED TO GO:
This is a last ditch effort to get HB 741 through the Senate. Right now, things are not looking good, but we can still rally and give it a good try. At the very least, we are laying groundwork for next session.
It is rumored that no more hearings will be scheduled in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee where our bill is currently. We need the chair of that committee and the lieutenant governor to approve re-referring HB 741 to the Government Org. committee, where it would have a hearing, or for the chair of HHS to make an exception and have a formal meeting to vote the bill out of committee. From there, we need Lt. Gov. Dewhurst to support getting the bill to the Senate floor for a vote.
PHONE CALLS:
Phone calls must, MUST be respectful. Even if the person you speak to is curt, cold, dismissive, or rude, it is vital to the future of not just this bill but any future breastfeeding legislation that we represent breastfeeding advocates well. There can be no hostility, no accusations, no name calling. Of course the majority of people would never ever be rude. There have been reports of antagonistic calls, though; hence this word of caution. We are passionate about our cause. We mustn't let our passion overrule our skills at diplomacy.
If you are a conservative voter, mention this. You may believe in limited government in most regards, but in this case the issue of family values and public health necessitate some regulation.
IF you are asked any questions (which isn't likely), here are some talking points:
HB 741:
- closes a loophole to provide public salaried employees with the same support to express breastmilk that hourly employees have through FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act).
- passed unanimously out of the House Business and Industry Committee.
- garnered bipartisan support in the House and passed the House by a vote of 90 to 46.
- allows employers to reap the benefits of decreased health care costs, lower employee absenteeism for sick days, and increased loyalty of experienced employees.
- will increase breastfeeding rates, therefore will improve the economy as well as public health.
TO LT. GOV. DEWHURST:
(Anyone, Anywhere)
Please call (512) 463-0001 and ask that Lt. Gov. Dewhurst support HB 741. Takes 30 seconds. Calls can be made by anyone, regardless of residency.
TO SENATOR NELSON:
(Senate District 12 Residents)
We need polite, diplomatic contacts from District 12 constituents to Senator Jane Nelson, the chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.
Please call (512) 463-0112 one time - we don't want to pester them with multiple calls.
We are asking her this:
"Please support HB 741 by either holding a formal meeting to vote it out of committee, or allow it to be re-referred to the Government Org. Committee."
You can ask to speak to the chief of staff or legislative director, but you can also speak to whomever answers the phone.
If you can visit Senator Nelson's home office at 1235 S. Main Street, Suite 280 Grapevine, Texas 76051 today this would demonstrate the importance of this bill to her constituents.
EMAILS:
(All Texas Residents)
Visits and phone calls are the highest priority. Once those are made, please write to your senator.
Guidelines and sample emails follow. Personalize an email as much as you can. If you use a sample email, be sure to replace anything in ALL CAPS. You should find an email form on your senator's page by finding him or her here. If you are willing to also send a copy to USBFLeg@gmail.com, we can try to track which districts are receiving emails.
Make certain that letters are not antagonistic or accusatory. Be nice. Surely most people are, but there have been some negative contacts. Hence the following caution:
Above all else, when personalizing your email and sharing your story, if applicable, keep the tone of your email very positive and diplomatic. As much as you may be angry with an employer for not allowing you to pump, now is not the time to write anything negative or inflammatory about your employer or your experience. Simply stick to the facts.
Do not in any way say anything rude or derogatory about the Senator or his or her beliefs. They may not agree with you but they are entitled to their beliefs just as you are. Name calling or telling them, for example, that they must not like babies if they don't support this legislation, will not get us anywhere. Remember, we can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. All communication should be praising and positive. NEVER take a rude or inflammatory tone with any communication with legislators even if they respond in a rude manner to you. Just remember to take the high road, and if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. If an email comes back with a rude response it's better to just thank them for their response and say "I hope that you might research the issue a bit and give it further consideration." But do not engage in trying to be rude back to them or to try to convince them they are wrong. If you do get an email like this please forward it to USBFLeg@gmail.com and the TXBC legislative committee will decide with the author's and sponsor's staffers how and if we should respond to that office.
Also under no circumstance should you try to convince them that breastfeeding is better than formula or in any way should you even mention formula. Just state that for you breastfeeding was the option you chose for your family and you would like to be supported in your efforts to care for your family. We do not want to incite any of the mommy wars here; it will not be helpful to our cause. We do not want to give anyone the impression we think we are superior or that we think they are bad parents because they fed their children formula. That just puts them on the defensive and is not helpful to our cause in any way.
- Begin by introducing yourself as a constituent. If you are a Republican writing a Republican senator, say so. Many conservatives may be reluctant to place regulations on businesses, and it may sway them to know that their conservative constituents feel this bill is necessary. If you are writing on behalf of a group, please identify yourself here ("Member of Texas Breastfeeding Coalition", "Secretary of IBCLCs of Dallas", etc)
- Keep it short (two paragraphs).
- If you have been affected by a lack of support for pumping at work, relate this very briefly.
- Ask that the legislator vote for HB 741.
- Ask for a written response on the Representative's position on the bill. That way a staffer has to do some research and the member has to sign a letter with a position on it.
- Please include with your signature:
- Name
- Physical Address
- Zip Code
- Phone Number(s)
If you are writing on behalf of a group ("Member of Texas Breastfeeding Coalition", "Secretary of IBCLCs of Dallas", etc) If you are writing on behalf of a group, such as Texas local breastfeeding coalitions, Texas IBCLC clubs, Texas chapter of AAP, Texas Baby Friendly folks, Texas Mother Friendly folks, parenting groups, etc. please consider the following:
Letters should begin with an introduction of your group. They should talk about health benefits of BF, how you support BF in your community, and HB 741. Letters from a mom should be personalized from the mom's point of view, but these letters should be personalized from the organization's view. These letters can be more lengthy than the 2 paragraph max for letters from individuals (but still somewhat brief).
Please make clear that you represent constituents outside of just your zip code, if that is the case. Please give an idea of how many people are in your group, and/or how many people your group serves.
Example #1
Dear Senator NAME,
I hope this email finds you well. As a resident of (DISTRICT #), I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, sponsored by Senator Van de Putte. For many breastfeeding moms who plan on returning to work, the worries of continuing to breastfeed while away from their baby lead to many sleepless nights. While Section 7(r) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (Break Time for Nursing Mothers Provision) provides moms who are non-exempt employees protection to pump milk at work, it does not cover all working, breastfeeding moms. Texas House Bill 741 will extend current worksite pumping protections to salaried public employees so that they can contribute to the work force while still providing their babies with breastmilk. I would be grateful for a written response letting me know your position on HB 741.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
Example #2
Hello, Senator NAME,
I hope this email finds you well. I am a mother who resides in (DISTRICT #) and I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, sponsored by Senator Van de Putte. While hourly public employees have reasonable accommodations to express breastmilk at work, salaried public employees are currently exempt. Many moms stop breastfeeding after they return to work due to lack of employer support. Texas House Bill 741 will extend current work-site pumping protections to salaried public employees so that they can contribute to the work force while still providing their babies with breastmilk.
Breastmilk is the ideal food for newborns and infants. It gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development. It is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses - such as diarrhea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide. Breastmilk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate sustenance (World Health Organization, 2012). Please vote in favor of House Bill 741. I would very much appreciate a written response explaining your position on the bill, and I would welcome the chance to further discuss the importance of community support and breastfeeding!
Thank you for your time and support,
NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
Example #3
Dear Senator NAME,
I'm a new mother in (DISTRICT) and I breastfeed my baby, and I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, sponsored by Senator Van de Putte. HB 741 will extend to salaried public employees worksite accommodations which are already afforded to hourly employees. Breastfeeding rates of initiation are around 80%, however, as women return to work and are unsupported in their efforts to express breastmilk for their babies, breastfeeding rates drop dramatically. This is a public health issue. Increased breastfeeding rates will save lives and a lot of money.
Please support this bill, and support Texas mothers and babies.
Thank you,
NAME and son/daughter NAME (NUMBER OF months)
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
Example #4
Hello, Senator NAME,
I am a constituent of district (DISTRICT NUMBER AND ORGANIZATION IF ANY) and breastfed/am breastfeeding my child(ren). I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, sponsored by Senator Van de Putte. HB 741 will support mothers who return to work in their efforts to continue to provide breastmilk for their babies, by providing reasonable accommodations to salaried public employees that are already afforded hourly employees. While the great State of Texas already recognizes breastfeeding as the best method of infant nutrition, there are no laws in place to support an exempt public employee who wishes to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.
I would very much appreciate a written response regarding your position on House Bill 741, and I fervently hope that it has your support.
Respectfully,
NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
Example #5
Dear Senator NAME,
I am a breastfeeding mother living in (DISTRICT #, REGION, OR CITY, AND ORGANIZATION IF ANY) and it has come to my attention that House Bill 741, sponsored by Senator Van de Putte, has passed to the Senate. I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741. While breastfeeding in Texas has a high initiation rate, there is a large drop around the time moms return to work. Many moms stop breastfeeding due to a lack of support from their employers. And while federal law requires that working mothers paid on an hourly basis receive reasonable breaks for pumping and a space in which to pump, there is no such protection for salaried public employees, such as teachers. HB 741 would extend current pump at work laws to all state public employees, including salaried employees.
I ask that you help us to support this piece of legislation so that we can give our children the best possible nutrition without being forced to choose between our babies and our jobs. I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss this important public health issue, and I hope to receive a written reply with your position on the bill. Thank you for your consideration.
Best Regards,
NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
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