New Mexico adds workplace protection for pregnancy, new moms
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 2 months AGO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New safeguards against workplace discrimination for pregnant women and new mothers at small businesses have been signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The signing of the bill Friday adds a new protected class to employment discrimination law in New Mexico.
Federal law already prohibits workplace discrimination based on pregnancy for employers of 15 or more workers. The New Mexico law, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Gail Chasey of Albuquerque and Sen. Liz Stefanics of Santa Fe, applies to businesses with as few as four employees.
The governor's office says the bill allows women to ask employers for reasonable accommodations that might include time to express milk or more restroom breaks.
Violations of the new provisions can be reported to the New Mexico Human Rights Commission.
The governor also signed child welfare legislation that helps ensure academic credit for children and young people as they change schools because of a foster care placement or homelessness.