Rep. Hineman part of ceremony to open new State Capitol lactation room

KDHE

TOPEKA – At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, the Kansas State Capitol joined a growing number of Kansas workplaces that support breastfeeding mothers by opening a new, separate and private lactation room in the Capitol building (Room 186B-N). In addition to the formal lactation room, updates will be made later this year in the family-use restroom on the first floor, to convert it into a suitable space.

“We are extremely proud to add the Capitol Building to the growing list of over 330 award-winning work sites in Kansas and to join the rest of the nation in recognizing the need to normalize and support breastfeeding,” said Brenda Bandy, Executive Director of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC).

“We are pleased to see the Capitol Building leading the way in creating accommodations in public buildings for both breastfeeding employees and the public,” said Gabrielle Hellbusch the State Breastfeeding Coordinator at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

The Legislative Coordinating Council consists of the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Speaker Pro Tem of the House, and the majority and minority leaders of each chamber. The Council is responsible for coordinating the delivery of legislative services.

“I am very excited to see a lactation room available at the Capitol that can be used by both the public and staff,” said 10th District Representative Eileen Horn. “As a nursing mother frequently in the Capitol in 2017, I immediately saw the need for improvements to the spaces provided. I am grateful to my colleague Representative Jim Ward, KDHE, state and local Breastfeeding Coalitions, the Legislative Coordinating Council and Tom Day Director of Legislative Administration who invested time to help make this a reality.”

Adequate support for breastfeeding employees has been associated with cost savings related to reduced health care expenses, turnover rates and absenteeism, as well as increased employee loyalty. The Business Case for Breastfeeding is a program that assists employers in developing or enhancing support services for their breastfeeding employees, which can be found at http://kansasbusinesscase.com.

New lactation room, Kansas Capitol Room 186B-N

Staff and visitors to the capitol who wish to use the rooms are encouraged to ask volunteers at the Visitor’s Center for help and information in locating the rooms.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Brenda Bandy, Governor-Elect Laura Kelly, House Majority Leader Don Hineman of Dighton, Representative Horn, Representative Ward, KDHE Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ashley Goss, and John Wilson, Vice President of Advocacy for the Kansas Action for Children and Tom Day, Director of Legislative Administration.