Just in time for the holiday travel season, the American Congress has given the best present families who travel with babies could ask for: an improved experience with TSA at airport security.
The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Act introduced by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler and Senator Kelly Ayotte, will improve training for Transportation Security Agency (TSA) officers around existing policies and procedures regarding transporting breast milk, formula, and infant feeding equipment in carry-on luggage.
Bébé Voyage, a community and resource for globetrotting parents, congratulates legislators on their ability to work swiftly and collaboratively to unanimously pass this bill and get it signed into law before the end of the legislative calendar.
“We are so grateful to Congresswoman Herrera Beutler for introducing this bill and garnering bipartisan support on it. Traveling with a baby is a harrowing experience and thanks to her leadership and all of Congress’ participation, we are looking forward to improved conditions when going through airport security. This truly is an amazing holiday present for our community!” –Marianne Perez de Fransius, Bébé Voyage CEO
After hearing about the introduction of the BABES Act [HR 5065] earlier this fall, Bébé Voyage organized its members to send petitions to their Senators urging them to pass the bill before the close of the legislative session. Their efforts paid off as the BABES Act was passed by the Senate on December 10 and signed into law by President Obama on December 16.
“With holiday travel season quickly approaching, parents across the country are vulnerable to harassment-like treatment from the TSA for simply carrying infant food and breast milk that are essential for families. Now that my bill, the BABES Act, has been signed into law, families should have greater confidence that they’ll receive respectful, efficient and consistent treatment from TSA going forward. I want to thank Bébé Voyage for its strong support of families via the BABES Act.” –Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler
According to the new law, TSA officers will begin to receive training on how to screen breast milk, formula, and infant feeding equipment within the next 90 days. Bébé Voyage will encourage its members to report back on their experiences with TSA and will work with lawmakers to ensure the BABES Act is being properly implemented.
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