Mass. mothers can breast-feed in public

BOSTON -- New mothers in Massachusetts who breast feed in public now have more legal protections.

A new law that takes effect Thursday bars people from harassing or restricting women who nurse in stores, restaurants, parks or other public locations. The law was passed last year and signed earlier this year by Gov. Deval Patrick.

Previously, women who breast-fed their children in public could have been prosecuted for indecent exposure or lewd conduct.

Law supporters said if convicted, those mothers would have had to register as sex offenders.

Proponents of the law say the new protections will encourage mothers to breast-feed -- which provides health benefits for babies and their mothers.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)