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HB-25 Signed into Law

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We did it! HB-25, protecting pregnant women and new mothers from discrimination was signed into law. Thank you for your support.

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via The Office of the Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham

Governor signs anti-discrimination bill

Mar 6, 2020 | Press Releases

Measure adds pregnancy, childbirth as protected class

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday signed into law a measure protecting pregnant women and new mothers from workplace discrimination.

House Bill 25, sponsored by Rep. Gail Chasey and Sen. Liz Stefanics, amends the New Mexico Human Rights Act to add pregnancy, childbirth or conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth as a class protected from employment discrimination.

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE

HB 25/a heads to the Governor’s Desk for signature.

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CALL TO ACTION: Contact Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to sign the Pregnant Worker Accommodation Act into law.

On February 18th, Pregnant Worker Accommodation bill, House Bill 25/a, was heard on the floor of the New Mexico State Senate. HB 25/a provides pregnant workers the opportunity to continue to work to support their growing families without risking the health of a pregnancy or the loss of a job. The bill was passed unanimously with a vote of 41 – 0, paving the way for the bill to move to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk for her signature.  

Since the 2019 session, bipartisan support for HB25/a has grown to include business interest groups, including the Association of Commerce and Industry, the NM Hospitality Association, the Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Albuquerque Teachers Federation, and National Education Association – NM. They join a number of women’s rights and worker rights advocacy groups, who have stood in support of this important legislative effort for years, including ACLU-NM, Bold Futures, Planned Parenthood, Indigenous Women Rising, and NM RCRC. 

The Southwest Women’s Law Center (SWLC) has been serving as an expert on the bill along with Attorney Tim White, and ACLU-NM Attorney Elinor Rushforth. SWLC supports policies that help New Mexican women and their families reach economic security and stability. 

During the 2020 legislative session, HB 25/a received widespread support from Democrats and Republicans. HB 25/a passed the House of Representatives unanimously by a vote of 65-0.  SWLC is requesting that supporters of HB 25/a call the Governor’s office (505-476-2200) to ask her to sign the bill into law. 

HB 25/a requires employers with four or more employees to grant reasonable accommodation for an employee with a need arising from pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition, as long as it does not create an undue hardship for the employer. Reasonable accommodation may include a change to the employee’s work environment, work rules or job responsibilities to accommodate a pregnant worker with a need arising from pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions.    

The Governor has until March 11, 2020, to sign the bill into law.

To support SWLC’s efforts on HB 25/a, please donate at swwomenslaw.org.

Respectfully,
Terrelene Massey,  Executive Director