Posted: | July 10, 2014 11:40 AM |
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From: | Representative Tina M. Davis |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Amending the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act Adding Pregnancy Protection for Women in the Workforce |
In the near future I will be introducing legislation amending the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) by adding language specifically addressing the matter of pregnant women in the workplace. This is a companion bill to Senator Matt Smith’s Senate Bill 927, PN 1131. This language is intended to clarify that discrimination against women on the basis of pregnancy is a violation of the PHRA. Although the PHRA prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, it does not specifically forbid discrimination against women who are pregnant. As a result, many state governments have enacted laws to specifically prohibit discrimination of women on the basis of pregnancy. Such measures ensure that all women are treated fairly and that they receive full protection under the PHRA. My legislation will place into statute a definition of “pregnancy”, and adds “pregnancy” to the list of discriminatory practices deemed unlawful by this act. Specifically, my legislation incorporates the Federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act definition of pregnancy into the PHRA as a specific protected class. It is my intention that these provisions will ensure an end to discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace. Please consider joining me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. |