A priority bill of the Women’s Legislative Caucus that extends protections for pregnant women in the workplace and lodging is waiting to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 105, sponsored by Women’s Caucus Chair Lori Berman, would add pregnancy as a protected class to the Florida Civil Rights Act.
“The Women’s Caucus selected this bill as a priority because women in our state are being discriminated against on their jobs and in lodging. Fighting discrimination is good public policy, not only for pregnant women, but all Floridians,” said Representative Lori Berman.
House Bill 105 spotlights a split in Florida courts on whether pregnant women can pursue legal actions under the law because of alleged discrimination. Passage of HB 105 into law would resolve the matter.
As explained by Senate Sponsor and Women’s Caucus Vice-Chair Senator Geraldine Thompson, “Women make up a significant part of the workforce, and this bill will prevent their pregnancy from being greeted with a pink slip.”
On Wednesday, March 26, the Florida Senate voted unanimously in support of the bill to prevent discrimination against pregnant women. Two other legislative priorities addressing domestic violence and identity theft have progressed through the House and Senate.
“It is rewarding to see the Caucus priorities moving forward. It is my hope that we can have a productive session for the women of Florida,” noted Representative Berman. “Now is the time for the Florida House to hear this good bill in the House Judiciary Committee and on the House floor.”
