Ellen Spiegel's Argumentative Essay

Imagine returning back to work after giving birth to your child and realizing that you cannot reserve time to breastfeed your child in a private place. What do you do? Do you focus on your career and hope for the best in terms of your child's health? Do you make time to breastfeed your child in a secluded place and risk being terminated from your job? Mothers, of course, will certainly choose the latter. Despite a good recovery from the great recession, many people are still having trouble meeting the basic needs of providing for their families. Nursing mothers who would prefer to care for their child are now finding themselves in a difficult position. Nevada Assemblywoman Ellen Spiegel understands these concerns and has taken upon herself

This wasn’t the case ten years ago. Mothers from the previous generations did not have this right and could be subject to termination if they breastfed their child in their workplace. Ten years later, the nation has moved forward by ensuring that this practice is a right for all mothers. With a new administration and the uncertainty of the Affordable Care Act, mothers are worried that they will have to choose between breastfeeding their infant or facing termination by their employer. Currently, employers are required to provide reasonable break time and a clean private room (aside from a bathroom) for mothers to provide breastmilk to their infant for one year after they are born. In addition, Assemblywoman Spiegel’s proposal would require the Labor Commission to punish any private employer who refuses to enforce these provisions by authorizing a penalty against that company. These provisions are important not only for mothers, but for families as well. If federal law changes and A.B. 113 is not enacted, this would open the gate for employers to punish their employees for providing care to their child. It is not only morally wrong, but also terrifying to be in that situation. Assemblywoman Spiegel believes that no person should go through this emotional stress. As a member of the Nevada State Legislature, she will continue to fight for this issue and ensure that women are protected in the