TAIPEI, Taiwan - The Legislative Yuan on Monday completed the preliminary review of a bill stipulating that nursing mothers have the right to breastfeed in any public space.

The bill would require all government agencies and state-run enterprises with floor space of more than 500 square meters; train stations, airport terminals and transit centers of more than 1,000 square meters; and department stores with floor areas totaling 10,000 square meters to have designated breast-feeding rooms.

Chiou Shu-ti, director general of the Bureau of Health Promotion under the Department of Health, said that by establishing breastfeeding areas, government agencies would set an example for other places.

The draft regulation stipulates that any of the above-mentioned areas will be subject to a fine of between NT$6,000 (S$263) and NT$30,000 (S$1314) if they fail to set up breastfeeding facilities.

It also states that nursing mothers have the right to breastfeed in public without having to go to a designated room. Anyone who tries to ban, expel or obstruct a nursing mother from breastfeeding in public will be subject to a fine of between NT$5,000 and NT$30,000.