HARRISBURG — A measure to protect women from being charged with violating state or local laws when breast-feeding in public places was signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell, his office said Monday.

Local governments may not prohibit public breast-feeding, whether or not the mother's breast is concealed, and the act cannot be considered indecent exposure, obscene or sexual conduct, or a nuisance. The law was signed Sunday and took effect immediately.

"I'm very excited," said Sen. Connie Williams, D-Montgomery, the prime sponsor, calling it "something that seems to be so commonsensical."

As of May, 38 states specifically allowed women to breast-feed in any public or private location. The new law makes Pennsylvania the 39th.

Rendell also signed into law Sunday new penalties for boating under the influence, biannual licensing of volunteer physicians and a $5 million appropriation for the attorney general's Office of Consumer Advocate.