'One step closer to protecting pregnant workers': New bill protects pregnant women from workplace discrimination

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation to protect pregnant women from employment discrimination.

HR 1065, dubbed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified employees who are experiencing pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. According to Congress' website, workers are considered qualified employees if they can perform the essential functions of their position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) co-sponsored the bill and took to Twitter to voice support for the legislation.

"I am proud to co-sponsor this bill and join my colleague @RepJerryNadler on this effort," Garcia wrote in a May 14 Twitter post. "This bill takes us one step closer to protecting pregnant workers so that they, as new mothers, can provide a great future for their children."

The bill was authored by New York State Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who delivered a statement on the House floor in support of the bill.

"For as long as women have been in the workforce, they have faced discrimination because of their sex, which is only amplified when a woman is pregnant," Nadler said. "Pregnant workers are often passed over for promotions, forced out on leave whether paid or unpaid, and sometimes even fired. As we have seen time and again, these policies disproportionately impact women of color and low-wage, hourly workers."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce backs the bipartisan piece of legislation and had previously issued a statement after its introduction before the U.S. Senate.

"The PWFA helps keep valued female employees in the workplace and provides needed clarity in the law for employers," the statement read. "We encourage the Senate and the House to work together to pass this legislation, which is a balanced approach to protecting the rights of pregnant employees and the interests of employers."

Outside of Congress, the PWFA received wide-ranging support, with over 200 worker advocates, civil rights groups and business groups urging its passage.

The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.