Bill would offer more protection to pregnant workers

Emily Martin, vice president and general counsel of the National Women's Law Center, said judges have interpreted the pregnancy discrimination laws in ways that end up being unfavorable to pregnant women.

The federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act says that pregnant women should be treated as well as other workers "similar in their ability or inability to work."

Judges interpret that differently, Martin said. For instance, some have ruled employers only have to accommodate pregnant workers who are injured on the job.

"The problem is the law is a little unclear, and therefore some courts have held that pregnant employees aren't entitled to these sorts of accommodations," Martin said. "And some employers aren't clear that they have obligations to accommodate pregnant women.

"What the Maryland law would do is provide greater clarity," Martin said.
[…]
"This addresses a really important need," Martin said. "Too often, pregnant workers, especially in low-wage jobs, are being forced out of work at the very moment that they really need their income and job security — when their families are growing."