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HR 2694 116th Congress House Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Administrative law and regulatory procedures Child care and development Civil actions and liability Disability and health-based discrimination Employee hiring Employee leave Employment discrimination and employee rights Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Government liability Sex and reproductive health Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination State and local government operations Women's employment Women's health Worker safety and health

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Introduced: October 16, 2019 Introduced by: Nadler, Jerrold Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 25 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 17, 2020
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sep 17, 2020
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Foxx (NC) motion to recommit H.R. 2694 with instructions, which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Sep 17, 2020
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 329 - 73 (Roll no. 195).
Sep 17, 2020
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 177 - 226 (Roll no. 194).
Sep 17, 2020
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4528-4529)
Sep 17, 2020
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on the Foxx motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Fox demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Sep 17, 2020
The previous question was ordered without objection.
Sep 17, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Foxx motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert new text entitled the "Pregnant Workers Fairness Act". The new text includes an exemption for religious organizations.
Sep 17, 2020
Ms. Foxx (NC) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Education and Labor. (text: CR H4524-4526)
Sep 17, 2020
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Sep 17, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2694.
Sep 17, 2020
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2574, H.R. 2639, H.R. 2694 and H. Res. 908. Provides for one hour of debate on each measure. The previous question will be considered as ordered on each measure without intervening motions except for one motion to recommit with or without instructions on H.R. 2574, H.R. 2639, and H.R. 2694.
Sep 17, 2020
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1107. (consideration: CR H4508-4527)
Sep 17, 2020
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 14, 2020
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1107 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2574, H.R. 2639, H.R. 2694 and H. Res. 908. Provides for one hour of debate on each measure. The previous question will be considered as ordered on each measure without intervening motions except for one motion to recommit with or without instructions on H.R. 2574, H.R. 2639, and H.R. 2694.
Sep 8, 2020
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 116-494, Part I.
Sep 8, 2020
Committee on House Administration discharged.
Sep 8, 2020
Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
Sep 8, 2020
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 396.
Sep 8, 2020
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Jan 14, 2020
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 17.
Jan 14, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 26, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
May 14, 2019
Introduced in House
May 14, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Sep 17, 2020 House · vote #195 On Passage Passed 32973 See who voted →
Sep 17, 2020 House · vote #194 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 177226 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 884 Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1107, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Co… Agreed to Sep 17, 2020
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

This bill prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for qualified employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. A qualified employee is an employee or applicant who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position, with specified exceptions.

Specifically, the bill declares that it is an unlawful employment practice to, among other things

  • fail to make reasonable accommodations to known limitations of such employees unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on an entity's business operation;
  • require a qualified employee affected by such condition to accept an accommodation other than any reasonable accommodation arrived at through an interactive process;
  • deny employment opportunities based on the need of the entity to make such reasonable accommodations to a qualified employee;
  • require such employees to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided; or
  • take adverse action in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment against a qualified employee requesting or using such reasonable accommodations.

The bill sets forth enforcement procedures and remedies that cover different types of employees in relation to such unlawful employment practices.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission must provide examples of reasonable accommodations that shall be provided to affected employees unless the employer can demonstrate that doing so would impose an undue hardship.

The bill prohibits state immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution from an action for a violation of this bill.

What's happening now September 17, 2020

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
 Cosponsors 227
D
Doggett, Lloyd
Texas · Sep 8, 2020
Kinzinger, Adam
· Sep 8, 2020
R
Wagner, Ann
Missouri · Sep 8, 2020
D
Correa, J. Luis
California · Sep 4, 2020
JOHNSON, EDDIE
· Sep 4, 2020
Spanberger, Abigail
· Sep 4, 2020
Vela, Filemon
· Aug 22, 2020
R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Jul 29, 2020
D
Crow, Jason
Colorado · Jul 24, 2020
Murphy, Stephanie
· Jul 24, 2020
R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Mar 4, 2020
D
Golden, Jared F.
Maine · Mar 4, 2020
D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Feb 28, 2020
R
Diaz-Balart, Mario
Florida · Feb 28, 2020
Fortenberry, Jeff
· Feb 28, 2020
O'Halleran, Tom
· Feb 28, 2020
D
Schneider, Bradley Scott
Illinois · Feb 28, 2020
R
Van Drew, Jefferson
New Jersey · Feb 28, 2020
D
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
California · Feb 26, 2020
D
Kim, Andy
New Jersey · Feb 26, 2020
McEachin, A.
· Feb 26, 2020
Phillips, Dean
· Feb 26, 2020
Brooks, Susan
· Feb 12, 2020
Payne, Donald
· Feb 12, 2020
D
Sewell, Terri A.
Alabama · Feb 12, 2020
UPTON, FRED
· Feb 12, 2020
VISCLOSKY, PETER
· Feb 12, 2020
WALDEN, GREG
· Feb 12, 2020
Rodgers, Cathy
· Feb 7, 2020
R
Balderson, Troy
Ohio · Feb 5, 2020
CLAY, WM.
· Feb 5, 2020
D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Feb 5, 2020
D
Ruiz, Raul
California · Feb 3, 2020
D
Waters, Maxine
California · Feb 3, 2020
D
Blunt Rochester, Lisa
Delaware · Jan 30, 2020
D
Fletcher, Lizzie
Texas · Jan 30, 2020
D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Jan 30, 2020
R
Stefanik, Elise M.
New York · Jan 30, 2020
D
Panetta, Jimmy
California · Jan 28, 2020
Porter, Katie
· Jan 28, 2020
D
Slotkin, Elissa
Michigan · Jan 28, 2020
Davis, Rodney
· Jan 24, 2020
DOYLE, MIKE
· Jan 24, 2020
R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Jan 24, 2020
Kuster, Ann
· Jan 24, 2020
Lawson, Al
· Jan 24, 2020
D
Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria
New York · Jan 24, 2020
Sarbanes, John
· Jan 24, 2020
D
Stanton, Greg
Arizona · Jan 24, 2020
D
Pappas, Chris
New Hampshire · Jan 21, 2020
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2694: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2694/
MLA
"H.R. 2694: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2694/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2694, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2694/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2694: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2694/)
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