SENATOR ANWAR LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL STRENGTHENING LACTATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, proudly led the Senate’s approval of legislation establishing a new licensing program for lactation consultants through the state Department of Public Health. This initiative will ensure families across the state have access to qualified, trained professionals during one of the most important stages of their child’s development.

The bill sets clear standards for the use of the title “lactation consultant,” ensuring that those offering specialized breastfeeding support have the appropriate training and credentials. At the same time, it preserves the ability of certified lactation counselors, doulas, peer counselors and others working in maternal and child health support programs to continue offering services, as long as they do not identify themselves as licensed lactation consultants.

“This legislation is about supporting families,” said Sen. Anwar. “It helps ensure that care provided to new parents is both accessible and high-quality. With licensed professionals guiding breastfeeding support, we’re giving every child a healthier start and every family the confidence they deserve during those early, previous days.”

“SB 1373 aims to provide the full range of breastfeeding support to all nursing mothers, regardless of income status,” State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-Bridgeport, Fairfield), the House Chair of the Public Health Committee, said. “This bill will help both at-risk infants and mothers across the state successfully breastfeed. I am grateful to the bill’s champion, Rep. Leeper, and Public Health Committee Co-Chair Sen. Anwar for their advocacy on this bill.”

“I’m so happy to see SB 1373 pass in the Senate,” State Representative Jennifer Leeper (D-Fairfield, Southport), a cosponsor of the bill, said. “I’ve been working on this bill for 3 years because the data is unambiguous that access to clinical lactation support, for all women who want it, will result in better health outcomes for both mothers and babies. Passage of this bill will help narrow the alarming racial gap in maternal and infant health outcomes and will improve longterm health.”

“Ensuring access to licensed lactation consultants is a critical step toward closing racial and economic disparities in maternal and infant health,” said State Representative Kai Belton (D-Middletown), a cosponsor of the bill. “Too many families in underserved communities face unnecessary barriers to breastfeeding support. This legislation is a huge step in helping parents, regardless of income, access the care they need to give their babies a strong, healthy start.”

Senate Bill 1373, “An Act Requiring The Licensure Of Lactation Consultants,” would establish a licensing program through the Department of Public Health in July 2026, restricting unlicensed people from generally presenting themselves as lactation consultants. However, people licensed or certified as another type of provider providing consulting under the scope of a license or certification, those in educational programs for licensure and doulas and midwives would be among those who could continue practicing.

The bill passed by a 24-11 tally with one abstention after previously passing the Public Health Committee by a 22-10 count. It next moves to the House for further consideration.