House Committee Debates Bills to Regulate Breast Milk Banks

Legislation regulating breast milk banks in Michigan and prohibiting the sale of human breast milk online are aired in a House committee.

Neither bill was voted on.

The first bill sets standards and regulations that for-profit breast milk banks would have to follow.

State Representative Lee Chatfield worries that will increase the cost of breast milk. He says people could find it cheaper online but doing that would be a no-no under the second bill.

Both measures are sponsored by State Representative Erika Geiss, a Taylor Democrat. She and other proponents of the bill say the new regulations would not affect the cost of breast milk from banks.

The measure is also meant to crack down on breast milk banks preying on poor moms who are choosing cash over breastfeeding their baby.