BOSTON -- Some new protection may be coming for Massachusetts women who breastfeed.

State law currently considers it a lewd act, but activists say it's only natural.

Public breastfeeding offensive?

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that a House bill has passed and a similar bill has passed in the state Senate as well.

Currently in the state, women who breastfeed in public can be charged with indecent exposure or lewd behavior, and while police seldom press such charges, many mothers are often kicked out of restaurants, stores and movie theaters because they are breastfeeding.

The new bill, if passed, would provide that in public places, such as stores or parks, women could not be prevented from breastfeeding or be asked to leave for doing so.