On February 4, 2021, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed into law HB 2045 which, among other things, expands Arizona law to now prohibit discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. It also requires that women who are affected by pregnancy or childbirth or related medical conditions must be treated the same for all employment purposes as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work. This new state law largely tracks the language of the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which has protected pregnant women from discrimination since 1978.
While HB 2045 does not create any new substantive protections, its passage will allow the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to investigate claims of pregnancy discrimination rather than refer such claims to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as it had in the past. This likely will allow for the faster processing of pregnancy discrimination claims.
Passage of HB 2045 may also potentially show a willingness on the part of Arizona lawmakers to further expand legal protections for pregnant women and families moving forward.
For more information, please contact Lisa Scidurlo, Theresa Zechman, Wade Albert or reach out to the Stevens & Lee attorney with whom you regularly work.
This News Alert has been prepared for informational purposes only and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal advice on any specific matter. For more information, please see the disclaimer.
