CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The West Virginia Senate has passed legislation to help accommodate pregnant women in the workplace.
The Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act allows pregnant employees to request modified duties and other accommodations, such as bathroom breaks and help with manual labor, as long as they do not place undue hardship on employers.
The measure also requires employers to provide nursing women time to express breast milk. It bars employers from turning away a qualified job applicant out of concern she might be ask the employer to make some adjustments due to her pregnancy.
Under the bill, pregnant workers may file complaints against employers through the West Virginia Human Rights Commission and the commission may investigate claims relating to pregnancy.
Only Monongalia Democrat Robert Beach voted against the bill.
The bill has been passed in both the House and the Senate, and will now be sent to the governor for his signature.
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