Breastfeeding mothers could find it easier to pump milk at work under a bill before the state House.

The measure would require businesses with 20 or more employees to make reasonable efforts to provide nursing moms with clean, private places to pump. Those that fail to do so could face a fine.

According to the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, half of mothers with children under 1 are employed — 69 percent of those full-time. Many stop breastfeeding earlier than they’d like because it is difficult to pump milk at work.

At a public hearing on House Bill 2228 on Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony about the benefits of encouraging working moms to continue breastfeeding from a number of groups, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii and the Hawaii Women’s Coalition.

Proponents of the legislation say employers who make it easier for mothers to pump milk see economic benefits, such as lower health care costs and less absenteeism.

Katie Polidoro, who testified before the House Labor Committee, explained the importance of breastfeeding. "According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, breastfeeding can help improve an infant’s immune system, protecting her from germs and illness," she said.

For mothers, breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, Type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression.

Polidoro added, "It may also prevent illness such as ear infections, stomach viruses, asthma, obesity, types 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia and some respiratory infections."

The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission asked to be removed as the enforcement agency in the legislation because it is a health and safety issue, not a civil rights one.

The commission supports intent of the law, however.