(INDIANAPOLIS) – Helping pregnant women in the workplace looks like it will wait till next year, despite a lobbying push from Governor Holcomb.
Federal law requires “reasonable” accommodations for pregnant workers. Holcomb’s advocating a bill to spell out specific examples in state law. But the Senate voted 34-15 to study the issue instead. Holcomb’s trying to revive his proposal through one-on-one meetings with legislators. But House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) says House Republicans share the Senate’s concerns, and says a Wednesday meeting with Holcomb hasn’t changed his mind.
Bosma notes the Indiana Chamber and other business groups oppose the bill. The Indiana Chamber says it’s concerned the bill would force employers to approve any accommodation a worker requests. The Chamber says that would be especially burdensome for smaller businesses.
Bosma says the bill might do better next year after a full vetting in a summer study committee. For now, he’s sent the proposal to the Rules Committee, which is typically a graveyard for unwanted bills. It’ll be dead if it doesn’t emerge or get amended into another bill by February 27.
House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) (Photo: Eric Berman/WIBC)
