Human milk banks could soon be coming to New Jersey.

The state Senate's budget committee is set to consider a bill Monday that authorizes the state Health Department to issue licenses for the establishment of human milk banks.

There are now 15 such institutions in the United States and three in Canada.

The bill defines a milk bank as a service that selects breast milk donors, manages collections, processing and storage as well as the distribution of donations. Lawmakers envision helping mothers with delayed lactation or who cannot nurse, as well as those with prescriptions for breast milk.

The committee will consider another bill that calls for a public awareness campaign surrounding the dangers in so-called casual sharing of breast milk.

Similar legislation has passed committee in the Assembly.