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Pregnant Workers' Rights Bill Passes In Connecticut House, Moves To Senate For Vote

Connecticut House Democrats
Rep. Liz Linehan co-sponsored an anti-workplace discrimination expansion to include pregnant women.

Connecticut's House of Representatives has passed legislation that would protect a pregnant woman's rights in the workplace, and the measure now moves to the Senate.

The bill expands Connecticut's anti-workplace discrimination law to include pregnant women. Under the proposed law, employers can’t fire or refuse to hire a pregnant woman, and women would be allowed to take a disability leave of absence in the event complications arise during the pregnancy.

"The goal here is to keep pregnant women working," said Democratic Representative Liz Linehan, one of the co-sponsors of the bill. "I am confident this will pass with robust bi-partisan support."

The bill also requires businesses with three or more employees to make reasonable accommodations for a pregnant worker -- things like longer or more frequent break times, providing a private space for lactating, or moving her to less strenuous duties within the company.

Businesses would be able to deny those accommodations if they can demonstrate to Connecticut’s Commission on Human Rights or Opportunities that doing so would be a financial hardship.

During deliberations in the House on Tuesday, Republican Representative Tom O'Dea, who voted against the bill said making reasonable accommodations is an unnecessary mandate would hurt small businesses.

“This will drive small businesses under,” O’Dea said. “This legislation will make it harder for small businesses to make money, and survive.”

Opponents of the bill also wondered how this bill is different than federal law: the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Proponents say unlike the federal law, the bill codifies specific ways pregnant women cannot be discriminated against in the workplace, and makes clear what constitutes "reasonable accommodations."

The bill passed the House on a 120-30 vote. There are similar pregnant worker's rights laws in 14 other states.

Ray Hardman is Connecticut Public’s Arts and Culture Reporter. He is the host of CPTV’s Emmy-nominated original series Where Art Thou? Listeners to Connecticut Public Radio may know Ray as the local voice of Morning Edition, and later of All Things Considered.

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