Coffman Applauds CO Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Signing

Press Release

U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (CO-06) today applauded the Colorado Pregnant Workers Fairness Act signing at St. Anthony's North Hospital in Westminster, Colorado.

"I am pleased that the Colorado State Legislature passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and am thankful that Governor Hickenlooper has now signed this legislation into law," Coffman said.

"No woman should ever worry about losing her job simply because she is pregnant," Coffman continued. "This effort by the State of Colorado strengthens our society and ensures that Colorado women will never be forced to choose between their child and their job. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the federal version of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act so that women across the United States will never have to face pregnancy-related discrimination in the work place."

The Colorado Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, sponsored by Colorado State Senator Beth Martinez Humenik (R-Thornton) and Colorado State Representative Faith Winter (D-Westminster), helps protect pregnant employees from discrimination by requiring employers to make a reasonable accommodations so that pregnant workers can continue working rather than be forced to leave their jobs. It also prohibits employers from discriminating against potential employees based on the employee's need for reasonable accommodations during a pregnancy.

Coffman became the first Republican cosponsor to the federal version of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in June 2015.

Coffman has long been a leader in ending discrimination against women. In the Colorado State House of Representatives, Coffman authored and successfully passed landmark legislation banning women from being charged more for health insurance than men. Last Congress he was one of 33 Republicans that helped pass the LGBT-inclusiveViolence Against Women Act, and was a leader in passing legislation to protect female soldiers from retaliation when they reported sexual assault.

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