HB352 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requiring employers with 15+ employees to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions unless accommodation would cause undue hardship.

• Prohibits employers from refusing reasonable accommodations, taking adverse employment action against employees requesting accommodations, denying employment opportunities based on accommodation needs, or requiring leave when other accommodations are available.

• Lists specific reasonable accommodations including more frequent breaks, modified equipment, temporary transfer to less strenuous positions, light duty, flexible schedules, and break time for breast milk expression.

• Requires employers to post written notice of employee rights by January 1, 2022, and grants employees direct right to sue in county court for violations with awards of attorney's fees, prejudgment interest, back pay, and compensatory damages.

• Designates the Department of Labor to administer and enforce the act; becomes effective three months after passage and approval.