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SB 689

AN ACT CONCERNING MOTHERS WHO ARE INCARCERATED BREASTFEEDING THEIR INFANTS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Somers

SB 689 establishes Connecticut procedures allowing incarcerated mothers to breastfeed or express milk for their infants while maintaining correctional security standards.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary
#breastfeeding #prisoners
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Bill Summary · SB 689

Legislative bill overview

SB 689 addresses policies and procedures for incarcerated mothers in Connecticut to breastfeed their infants while in custody. The bill establishes frameworks allowing lactating mothers maintained in correctional facilities to continue breastfeeding or express breast milk for their infants. This legislation aims to balance correctional security protocols with maternal and infant health benefits.

Why is this important

Breast milk provides documented health, immunological, and developmental benefits for infants, and separation can create psychological trauma for both mother and child. Currently, many states lack clear statutory guidance on this issue, leaving policies fragmented or non-existent, which can result in arbitrary denials of breastfeeding access. This bill addresses a gap in Connecticut law that affects a vulnerable population—incarcerated women and their dependent infants.

Potential points of contention

  • Security and facility logistics: Correctional administrators may cite concerns about increased contact between inmates and outside visitors, supervision complexities, and staffing costs for implementing monitoring and milk expression programs
  • Scope and eligibility: Questions about which facilities qualify (minimum vs. maximum security), what custody levels allow contact, and whether restrictions apply based on offense type or disciplinary history
  • Resource allocation: Costs associated with medical-grade breast pumps, sterile collection/storage equipment, proper refrigeration, and trained staff to supervise and handle expressed milk in secure settings

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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