Ark. Code § 6-16-1007

Current with legislation from 2024 effective through May 3, 2024.
Section 6-16-1007 - Health class - Breastfeeding curriculum required
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Breastfeeding a newborn child for a minimum of two (2) to four (4) months reduces Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by up to forty percent (40%), and this number increases to sixty percent (60%) for newborn children breast fed for four (4) to six (6) months;
(2) Any amount of breastfeeding decreases the following for infants who are breastfed:
(A) Infant mortality due to any cause by nineteen percent (19%);
(B) Type 2 Diabetes by thirty-three percent (33%); and
(C) The risk of childhood and adult obesity by twenty-two percent (22%);
(3) Breastfeeding a newborn child for six (6) to twelve (12) months reduces hypertension for lactating mothers by eleven percent (11%);
(4) Breastfeeding for more than twelve (12) months reduces all types of breast cancer for lactating mothers by twenty-eight percent (28%);
(5) For lactating mothers, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is reduced by thirty-two (32%) or more with a longer period of time spent breastfeeding;
(6) Any amount of breastfeeding decreases the following for lactating mothers:
(A) Premenopausal breast cancer by fourteen percent (14%);
(B) Postmenopausal breast cancer by eleven percent (11%); and
(C) Ovarian cancer by thirty percent (30%); and
(7) The provision of information surrounding the number of benefits that breastfeeding results in for both infants and lactating mothers helps to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding.
(b) Each health and safety course offered by a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school shall include information regarding breastfeeding, including without limitation the benefits of breastfeeding:
(1) As healthy nutrition for all infants; and
(2) For lactating mothers.

Ark. Code § 6-16-1007

Added by Act 2023, No. 723,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.