Committee sets aside lactation-support policy after debate over age limit and wording
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Summary
Board members debated whether Policy 44-25 should require lactation accommodations only 'until the child is 1' and whether the philosophy should be neutral; the committee set the item aside for staff to verify code alignment and propose neutral wording.
The governance committee paused its review of Policy 44-25 (Lactation Support) on Jan. 6 after members questioned prescriptive language tying accommodations to a child’s first birthday.
Dr. Anderson raised concerns that language stating the division "shall provide accommodations until the child is 1" could be perceived as judgmental toward staff or parents who choose not to breastfeed and asked whether the one‑year limitation was a statutory requirement. "Why so specific? Is this a legal requirement that only until the child is 1 and who's checking that birth date?" Dr. Anderson asked.
Staff and other members responded that the code of Virginia references age 1 in some lactation contexts and said they would confirm the statutory basis. Several members suggested making the policy's introductory "philosophy" language more neutral — for example, recognizing health advantages without wording that could read as prescriptive or evaluative.
Given the competing viewpoints, the chair proposed setting the item aside to avoid delaying other business; the committee agreed and asked staff to: verify the legal reference to age 1; propose neutral introductory language; and return a drafted revision for committee review.
Next steps: staff will review Virginia code citations, prepare alternative wording that separates values language from operational requirements, and present a revised draft to the committee before the item returns to the full board.