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
Everywhere this bill has been
26 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
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 17, 2020
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 329 - 73 (Roll no. 195).
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
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
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 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
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 396.
Sep 8, 2020
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Sep 8, 2020
Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
Sep 8, 2020
Committee on House Administration discharged.
Sep 8, 2020
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 116-494, Part I.
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
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.
May 14, 2019
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
2
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 17, 2020 | House · vote #195 | On Passage | Passed | 329–73 | See who voted → |
| Sep 17, 2020 | House · vote #194 | On Motion to Recommit with Instructions | Failed | 177–226 | See who voted → |
Plain-English summary
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
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.