Geiss Hopes To Pump Out Breast Milk Donation Reforms

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/05/2025) Distributing human milk that is improperly pasteurized, adulterated or contaminated would be formally outlawed under new legislation by Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor).

On Wednesday, Geiss' office put out a press release on SB 724, SB 725 and SB 726 to place hospitals, human milk banks and processing and distribution companies under the same regulations as the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. The legislation will allow Michigan's Medicaid system to reimburse families prescribed breast milk donations for children up to 2 years old.

The three bills were referred to the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee. Geiss introduced a similar bill in October 2024, but it didn't move out of committee.

When she was in the House, Geiss made two attempts to regulate the collection and distribution of human breast milk.

"Protecting infants means ensuring donor milk is both safe and accessible. This bill strengthens the safeguards around how milk is handled without disrupting the community-based and peer-to-peer sharing traditions that have supported families for generations," said Kiddada Green in the press release, the founder of the Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association.

Geiss said it's critical that breast milk is handled safely and responsibly, while also balancing availability to ensure families in need have access to it.

"By implementing enforceable standards and accountability measures, these bills help ensure infants receive safe and reliable nutrition when their mother is unable to provide milk," she said. "Every baby deserves the healthiest start possible, regardless of where they live or their family circumstances. Donor milk can be lifesaving for infants who are medically fragile or whose parents cannot provide enough milk."