SB 1373, An Act Requiring The Licensure Of Lactation Consultants

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

Monday, March 3, 2025

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning SB 1373, An Act Requiring The Licensure Of Lactation Consultants. CHA generally supports the bill, as we did last year, but continues to suggest important language revisions be included.

Connecticut hospitals and health systems care for patients, strengthen the state’s economy, and support vulnerable communities across the state. Every day, they work to improve healthcare access, affordability, and health equity. Even as they face ongoing challenges, hospitals provide world-class care to everyone who walks through their doors, regardless of their ability to pay. Hospitals also support an exemplary workforce as the largest collective employer in the state, contribute significantly to the state’s economy, and invest in their communities addressing social drivers of health.

SB 1373 would establish an entirely new scope of practice and licensure category overseen by the Department of Public Health (DPH). When creating a new licensure category and scope of practice in healthcare, the following goals are essential to success: (1) be forward looking, (2) do not accidentally limit existing services or professions, and (3) continue to strive for more robust diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare professions and in the delivery of care. CHA was grateful to be included in robust stakeholder discussions last year about how best to achieve these core goals. This year’s bill has incorporated many features that came about during those discussions.

As we noted above, CHA generally supports the bill, as we did last year, but continues to suggest important language revisions be included to ensure patients and families in Connecticut have access to safe and professional lactation consulting services provided by the right, trained professionals now and for years to come.

We believe the following changes to the bill will better meet all of the core goals. It is essential to allow other potential avenues of professional recognition for this new licensure category.

Revise lines 3-7 to read as follows:

(1) “Lactation consultant” means a person who is licensed pursuant to Section 3 of this act and either (A) holds and maintains certification in good standing as an international board certified lactation consultant with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners or (B) has met the accrediting, certifying, or educational requirements of an organization as designated by the Department of Public Health; and

After line 84, insert a new paragraph that reads:

In addition to the designation of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, the Department of Public Health may designate other organizations as having satisfactory accrediting, certifying, or educational requirements that, if met by an individual, support licensure under this act.

Additionally, we also recommend the bill be amended to recognize that other professionals do work in this area, and many are as trained, or more trained, to carry out the role of “lactation consultant.” For example, at lines 43-44, a physician who specializes in maternal health — even a physician with specialized training in lactation issues or who helps new mothers decide if breastfeeding is the right path for them — would not be allowed to call themself a “lactation consultant” without obtaining a separate license.

CHA looks forward to working with the committee on this important issue.

Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.