The New York State attorney general has announced an agreement with a major bookseller to strengthen protections for mothers who breastfeed in its stores.
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Tuesday announced an agreement with Barnes & Noble to protect the rights of nursing mothers seeking to breastfeed at the company’s stores in New York. The attorney general’s office opened an investigation into the national chain following an incident in March in Rockland County, during which a woman allegedly was asked to cover up or leave a Barnes & Noble store in Nanuet while breastfeeding her infant son. Under New York State law, a mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, so long as she otherwise has the right to be there, regardless of whether she is covered while nursing. Under the agreement, Schneiderman says Barnes & Noble will pay $10,000 to Rockland County to support the activities of its Breastfeeding Program; and display the international symbol for breastfeeding at the entrances to its New York stores.
