A bill that prohibits pregnancy discrimination in the workplace under the Arizona Civil Rights Act (ACRA) has passed with near-unanimous support in both the state House and Senate.
Pregnancy discrimination is illegal in Arizona, but complaints can currently only be investigated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If signed by the Governor, pregnancy discrimination will be enforceable under the ACRA and will authorize the Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to investigate and enforce protections for this type of discrimination.
Weninger and Mesnard introduced HB2045 and SB1180 this legislative session. A bill was also introduced last session, but did not pass both chambers due to the shortened session.
Arizona will be the 28th state to enact state laws prohibiting employers from discriminating against pregnant women.