SENATE RULES COMMITTEE SR 20
Office of Senate Floor Analyses
(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478
THIRD READING
Bill No: SR 20
Author: Cortese (D) and Weber Pierson (D), et al.
Amended: 4/30/25
Vote: Majority
SUBJECT: California Human Milk Donation Month
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution declares that the month of May is hereby recognized
as California Human Milk Donation Month in honor of the dedicated efforts of
human-milk donors, milk banks, health care providers, and advocates who work
tirelessly to ensure that all infants have access to life-sustaining breast milk.
Senate Floor Amendments of 4/30/25 add a nonprofit milk bank to those that have
been instrumental in promoting human-milk donation and make other technical
changes to the resolution.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1) Donor-human milk has been shown to reduce the risk of life-threatening
conditions in premature infants, such as necrotizing enterocolitis, and to
improve overall health outcomes, especially in neonatal intensive care units
(NICUs) across California.
2) California’s nonprofit milk banks, such as Mothers’ Milk Bank California and
the University of California Health Milk Bank, have been instrumental in
promoting human-milk donation, educating the public, and providing safe and
pasteurized donor-human milk to hospitals and families throughout the state,
ensuring that the most fragile babies receive the nourishment that they need to
thrive.
3) The importance of human-milk donation is further highlighted by the rising
demand for donor-human milk, as approximately 300,000 babies are admitted
to NICUs annually in the United States, according to the National Institutes of
Health; and this demand is further driven by potential formula shortages, as
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well as California hospitals’ efforts to support the Baby-Friendly Hospital
Initiative by 2025, which promotes breastfeeding and the use of donor-human
milk as a vital alternative for infants in need.
4) California remains committed to supporting and expanding the efforts of its
milk banks, hospitals, health care professionals, and donor mothers in providing
donor-human milk to babies in need.
This resolution encourages all Californians to support and promote the ongoing
efforts of nonprofit milk banks and their partners, and to raise awareness of the
life-saving power of human-milk donation for the health and well-being of
California’s children.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 5/1/25)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/1/25)
None received
Prepared by: Aizenia Randhawa / SFA / (916) 651-1520
5/1/25 14:58:23
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