Summary of Federal Laws

 

Employment

Equal Employment Opportunity

 

Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 (amends Title VII)

 

42 U.S.C. § 2000e(k); 29 C.F.R. Part 1604.10 and Appendix

 

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related illness in employment opportunities, health or disability insurance programs, or sick leave plans.  Question and answer section is contained in the appendix to the regulations.  One of the answers is no longer accurate due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which prohibits denying insurance to a pregnant woman switching health plans merely because she is pregnant.

Reviewed 11/12/99