HOUSE 2694116th CongressReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Last Action: 9/17/2020

Actions

2020-09-17Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
2020-09-17Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2020-09-17On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 329 - 73 (Roll no. 195).
2020-09-17Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 329 - 73 (Roll no. 195).
2020-09-17On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 177 - 226 (Roll no. 194).
2020-09-17UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Foxx (NC) motion to recommit H.R. 2694 with instructions, which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2020-09-17Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4528-4529)
2020-09-17POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on the Foxx motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Fox demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2020-09-17The previous question was ordered without objection.
2020-09-17DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Foxx motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert new text entitled the "Pregnant Workers Fairness Act". The new text includes an exemption for religious organizations.
2020-09-17Ms. Foxx (NC) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Education and Labor. (text: CR H4524-4526)
2020-09-17The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2020-09-17DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2694.
2020-09-17Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2574, H.R. 2639, H.R. 2694 and H. Res. 908. Provides for one hour of debate on each measure. The previous question will be considered as ordered on each measure without intervening motions except for one motion to recommit with or without instructions on H.R. 2574, H.R. 2639, and H.R. 2694.
2020-09-17Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1107. (consideration: CR H4508-4527)

Showing 15 of 20 actions. Full history on Congress.gov.

CRS Summary

As of 2020-09-17 (53)

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

This bill prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for qualified employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. A qualified employee is an employee or applicant who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position, with specified exceptions.

Specifically, the bill declares that it is an unlawful employment practice to, among other things

fail to make reasonable accommodations to known limitations of such employees unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on an entity's business operation;
require a qualified employee affected by such condition to accept an accommodation other than any reasonable accommodation arrived at through an interactive process;
deny employment opportunities based on the need of the entity to make such reasonable accommodations to a qualified employee;
require such employees to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided; or
take adverse action in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment against a qualified employee requesting or using such reasonable accommodations.

The bill sets forth enforcement procedures and remedies that cover different types of employees in relation to such unlawful employment practices.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission must provide examples of reasonable accommodations that shall be provided to affected employees unless the employer can demonstrate that doing so would impose an undue hardship.

The bill prohibits state immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution from an action for a violation of this bill.

Cosponsors (20)

John Katko (R-NY)
Lucy McBath (D-GA)
Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA)
Robert Scott (D-VA)
Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
Pete Aguilar (D-CA)
Joyce Beatty (D-OH)
Donald Beyer (D-VA)
EARL BLUMENAUER (D-OR)
Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Cheri Bustos (D-IL)
Salud Carbajal (D-CA)
Matt Cartwright (D-PA)
Judy Chu (D-CA)
David Cicilline (D-RI)
Katherine Clark (D-MA)
Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)
Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)

Subjects

Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child care and development
Civil actions and liability
Disability and health-based discrimination
Employee hiring
Employee leave
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government liability
Sex and reproductive health
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
State and local government operations
Women's employment
Women's health
Worker safety and health

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