PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · May 14, 2021
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
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
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.
People & committees
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10] · D–NY
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 315 - 101 (Roll no. 143).
House roll call 143 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 315 - 101 (Roll no. 143).
House roll call 143 · Individual votesThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1065.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2547 and H.R. 1065. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The previous question on each measure is considered ordered without intervening motions except one hour of debate and a motion to recommit. H. Res. 379 is adopted.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 380. (consideration: CR H2321-2343)
Rule H. Res. 380 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 380 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2547 and H.R. 1065. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The previous question on each measure is considered ordered without intervening motions except one hour of debate and a motion to recommit. H. Res. 379 is adopted.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 14.
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
Committee on House Administration discharged.
Committee on House Administration discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-27, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-27, Part I.
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 17.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.1065 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.1065 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.1065 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.1065 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.