Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, §§ 4551–4640 (housing subchs.) § 4634

Right to breast-feed

In Force
Verified 10/21/2026 · Next check 10/28/2026
effective 10/21/2026MaineFair Housing & Anti-Discrimination

Operative Text

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, §§ 4551–4640 (housing subchs.) § 4634
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a person may breast-feed that person's baby in any location, public or private, where the person is otherwise authorized to be.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Maine law under 5 M.R.S. § 4634 establishes that a person has the right to breastfeed their baby in any location—public or private—where they are otherwise permitted to be present. This provision overrides any conflicting laws or rules that might otherwise restrict breastfeeding in such locations. The rule applies broadly, covering spaces ranging from retail establishments and restaurants to private venues.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 22, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under 5 M.R.S. § 4634, rental property owners and managers should be aware that tenants, guests, and visitors who are breastfeeding are legally permitted to do so in any location where they are otherwise authorized to be present. Compliant operators generally refrain from posting rules, issuing notices, or taking any action that would restrict or discourage breastfeeding in common areas or other accessible parts of the property. Familiarity with this provision helps ensure that property policies and staff conduct align with Maine's housing and civil rights framework.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Section 4634 of Maine's civil rights statutes (5 M.R.S. §§ 4551 et seq.) affirms that you have the right to breastfeed your baby in any public or private location where you are otherwise allowed to be, including spaces associated with your housing. If a landlord, property manager, or other party attempts to restrict this right, that conduct may conflict with Maine law, and options can include contacting a tenant-rights organization or a state civil rights agency for information about available remedies. Documenting any incidents where this right is challenged may be relevant if you later seek to understand your options.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

Effective Timeline

Expression #1
Oct 21, 2026
Current
Oct 21, 2026
Click on timeline segments to view historical versions.

References Out

No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.

References In

Rules and statutes that cite this regulation

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, ch. 337
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, ch. 337
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, ch. 337
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, ch. 337
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4611
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4553-A
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, § 4553
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4553
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4630
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4553
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4553-A
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4581-A
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4632
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4611
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4612
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4622
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4614
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4613
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4612
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4611
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4614
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, ch. 337
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, § 4551
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, ch. 337
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4611
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4553-A
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, § 4553
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4553
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4630
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4553
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4553-A
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4581-A
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4632
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4611
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4612
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4622
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4614
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4613
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4612
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4611
Me. Rev. Stat. § 4614
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, § 4551

Related Rules

§ 5.106
§ 5.106 Equal access in accordance with the individual's gender identity in community planning and development programs.
§ 5.109
§ 5.109 Equal participation of faith-based organizations in HUD programs and activities.
§ 2
Policies; recommendations

Source Information

Snapshot SHA:
Fetched:Oct 21, 2026, 07:01 AM UTC