Bill Would Expand Discrimination Protection for Pregnant Women
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
By: Margie Menzel

February 20, 2013 | WMFE - A state senator from Orlando is sponsoring a bill that would provide more protection against discrimination for pregnant women in the workplace.

Federal law already provides some protection and says a woman can’t be fired simply because she’s pregnant but Democratic State Senator Geraldine Thompson says she wants to amend Florida’s anti-discrimination law to include pregnancy.

“We want the law here in Florida to say very clearly that discrimination on the basis of pregnancy is prohibited.” Thompson says.

Thompson's bill gives victims of discrimination the ability to sue for damages above what federal law allows.

It would also give the Florida Commission on Human Relations more time to investigate discrimination claims.

She points to the case of Naeisha Sanders who, Senator Thompson says, was fired from her job at a group home while pregnant with her second child.

"She is the breadwinner and the head of her household and was a victim of discrimination and released from her position for no other reason than her pregnancy." . 

Democratic Representative Lori Berman of Lantana is sponsoring a companion bill in the State House. The Florida Commission on Human Relations supports the measure.