A Lee’s Summit mother faces contempt charges for bringing her breastfed baby to jury duty.  But she has picked up the support of a doctor who is also a state senator. Rob Schaaf of Saint Joseph says he’ll introduce a bill to exempt breastfeeding moms from juries.

The Republican Senator first introduced the bill a decade ago and was never able to line up enough support to pass it. He says the tide is turning and the upcoming legislative session, which starts in January, might be the time.

Schaaf says we should not put up roadblocks for women interested in breastfeeding. He says breastfed babies are healthier and they ultimately cost the state less for treatment of health problems. Schaaf says the decision to switch a baby from breast to bottle should not be made by a judge who needs a juror.