Topeka ? A bill allowing women to breast-feed in public received preliminary approval today in the House.

The measure — supported by several Lawrence mothers — was advanced on a voice vote and faces a final vote today in the House before it can be considered by the Senate.

Got Kids? blog: The LAC Breastfeeding Debacle Part II (07-14-04)

“Breast-feeding is a natural act,” Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, said. “It is something a lot of women have encountered difficulty with in public places.”

House Bill 2284 was amended to exempt nursing mothers from jury duty, and to add that mothers must breastfeed “discreetly.”

Attempts to further restrict the bill, however, failed.

Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, urged support of an amendment that would have allowed private businesses to prohibit breast-feeding on their premises.

Restaurants can reject serving people without shoes or shirts on, Landwehr noted. She added that while she supported breast-feeding, “If you think all women are breast-feeding discreetly — they are not.”

The amendment failed 41-64.

Rep. Bonnie Huy, R-Wichita, tried to add language that would have said a mother would be allowed to breastfeed if she “discreetly covers her breast.” That failed 40-65.