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

In the United States, pregnant women have a number of legal rights. The most important of these is the right to make decisions about their own bodies and health care, regardless of their age. For example, all pregnant women in the United States have the right to choose whether to continue their pregnancies or obtain an abortion. This right is guaranteed by the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. The specific laws and regulations that apply to abortion in each state may vary, but pregnant women in the United States are generally protected by the right to make their own decisions. In Washington state, pregnant women have additional legal rights, such as the right to receive paid or unpaid maternity leave. This right is protected by the Washington State Family Medical Leave Act, which provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave during the period of their pregnancy and immediately following childbirth. In addition, all pregnant women in the United States are protected by federal laws that prohibit discrimination or unfair treatment based on pregnancy or childbirth. In Washington state, those protections are provided by the Washington State Law Against Discrimination, which makes it illegal for employers and other entities to discriminate against pregnant women in areas such as hiring, promotion, and access to benefits. Overall, pregnant women in the United States have a number of legal rights and protections that are designed to ensure their health and well-being during pregnancy and beyond. These rights and protections vary from state to state, but all pregnant women are guaranteed certain basic rights and protections under the law.

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