STATEHOUSE (Jan. 28, 2020) — A bill authored by State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) that would, under certain circumstances, require businesses to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees passed the Senate Committee on Family and Children Services on Monday, Jan. 27.
Senate Bill 342 would only apply to employers with 15 or more employees, and these businesses would only be required to provide accommodations so long as it is reasonable and does not impose an undue hardship on the company.
“Indiana is one of five states without state-level protections against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, and one of only eight states without state-level provisions for pregnancy accommodations for working women,” Alting said. “In addition, Indiana ranks third in the nation on maternal mortality and seventh in infant mortality. While federal law currently enforces pregnancy care standards within a workplace, this bill would provide clarity and delineate a list of specific accommodations.”
These accommodations would include:
• More frequent and longer breaks;
• Modification of uniforms;
• Unpaid time off work to recover from childbirth;
• A place to sit;
• Acquisition or modification of equipment;
• Temporary transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position;
• Assistance with physical or manual labor;
• Time to express breast milk and a private (non-bathroom) place to do so;
• Job restructuring; and
• Any other accommodation prescribed by a medical provider.
SB 342 will now be considered by the full Senate.
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A high-resolution photo of State Sen. Ron Alting is available by clicking here.
