Bill > H940

This bill establishes comprehensive protections against pregnancy-related employment discrimination in North Carolina by creating new legal standards and requirements for employers. The bill defines key terms like "pregnancy" (including perceived pregnancy capacity), "pregnancy related conditions" (such as miscarriage, childbirth recovery, and lactation), and introduces concepts like "bona fide occupational qualification" (BFOQ) and "business necessity". Employers are prohibited from discriminating against individuals due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions in hiring, compensation, job assignments, and benefits. The legislation mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees, such as modified work schedules, equipment modifications, and break time for breast milk expression, unless doing so would cause "undue hardship" to the business. Employers must treat pregnant employees the same as other employees with temporary disabilities, provide leave for pregnancy-related disabilities, and allow employees to return to their same or equivalent job after such leave. The bill also allows individuals who believe they have experienced pregnancy discrimination to file civil actions within three years, with potential remedies including back pay, reinstatement, compensatory damages, and attorneys' fees. These protections apply to employers with 15 or more employees and aim to safeguard pregnant workers' employment rights while balancing reasonable business operational needs.

Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H940