By: Alan E. Seneczko

In the "I didn't realize the problem was so bad we needed a new law to address it" category, Governor Doyle recently signed the following bills into law:

Right to Breast-feed, 2009 Wis. Act 148 - grants a mother the right to breast feed her child in any public or private location they are otherwise authorized to be. If the mother is authorized to be there, she may not be prohibited from breast-feeding, directed to move to a different location, required to cover her breast, or otherwise restricted.

Emergency Responder Leave, 2009 Wis. Act 140 - requires an employer to permit an employee who is a volunteer fire fighter, EMT, first responder, or ambulance driver for a volunteer fire department, public agency, or nonprofit to be late or absent from work (without pay) if the lateness or absence is due to the employee responding to an emergency that begins before the employee is required to report to work. Employees must notify their employer of their volunteer service in advance, and make a reasonable effort to notify employer of their expected absence.

Civil Air Patrol Leave, 2009 Wis. Act 56 - requires employer to grant unpaid leave to allow an employee to participate in an emergency service operation of the Civil Air Patrol; prohibits discrimination in employment against employee based upon membership in the Civil Air Patrol.

Questions? Please contact WS Shareholder and Senior Attorney Alan Seneczko at (262) 560-9696, or alseneczko@wesselssherman.com.