Walberg, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Pregnant Women
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Pregnancy Discrimination Amendment Act in the House and Senate today to strengthen protections for pregnant women in the workplace. The bicameral legislation provides much-needed protections in light of a recent Supreme Court decision, Young v. United Parcel Service, Inc., where the Justices wrote an unclear opinion related to a central provision of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) of 1978.
"It's important to ensure women are provided the same protections for pregnancy just as they are for other health issues," said Congressman Tim Walberg, Chairman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. "Unfortunately, the law has been unclear on this issue, but our bill will affirm the intended treatment under the PDA and empower families and working moms-to-be nationwide."
The Walberg-Murkowski legislation will modernize the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 by clarifying that a pregnant worker in a similar ability or inability to perform a duty due to the pregnancy shall be treated the same as a non-pregnant worker in terms of accommodation.
"Pregnant women must be protected from potential discrimination by employers, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 must be enforced," said Senator Lisa Murkowski. "This bill clarifies and tightens the existing law to help ensure against unequal treatment in the workplace."
"This legislation will make clear that expecting mothers cannot be discriminated against in the workplace. And it will ensure that pregnant employees have access to every accommodation given to employees in similar working conditions—providing the flexibility to continue working and supporting their families," said Senator Lamar Alexander, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. "This legislation will accomplish all of that without adding the unclear and duplicative requirements Senate Democrats are proposing that will cause confusion for employers and workers alike."
Original co-sponsors of the bill include Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Kristi Noem (R-SD), and Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE). Click here to read a PDF of the Pregnancy Discrimination Amendment Act.