What legal rights do pregnant women have in the United States?

In the United States, pregnant women have a variety of legal rights that are specific to their position as pregnant individuals. Most notably, pregnant women are protected under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) of 1978, which prevents employers from discriminating based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. It also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers. Additionally, pregnant women are protected under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination in education programs and activities, meaning that pregnant and parenting students must be treated fairly and equally to their non-pregnant classmates. On the state level, pregnant women have various rights and protections. In Virginia, it is a crime for an employer to discriminate based on pregnancy status. Moreover, the Equal Rights Amendment of 1972 in Virginia guarantees that citizens will not be discriminated against on the basis of sex, including pregnancy. Virginia also guarantees pregnant women the right to leave work without fear of penalty or loss of pay when medically necessary. Furthermore, health insurers in Virginia must provide coverage for maternity care, including well-woman visits, prenatal care, and post-natal care. Overall, pregnant women in the United States are protected from discrimination from both federal and state laws. The legal rights and protections available to pregnant women vary slightly from state to state, but overall, pregnant individuals are guaranteed a variety of rights and protections that are specific to their position.

What legal rights do pregnant women have in the United States?

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