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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	February 21, 2013 09:32 AM
From:	Senator Matt Smith
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Protecting Pregnant Women in the Workplace

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 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 join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. If you have questions about this legislation please contact Tim Golding of my staff at tgolding@pasenate.com or 717-787-5839.

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