HB 16-1438 Summary

• Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees and job applicants with pregnancy-related conditions or physical recovery from childbirth upon request, unless accommodation creates undue hardship to the employer's business.

• Prohibits employers from taking adverse action against employees who request or use pregnancy-related accommodations, denying employment opportunities based on needed accommodations, or requiring unwanted accommodations.

• Specifies that reasonable accommodations may include frequent breaks, modified equipment or seating, lifting limitations, temporary transfer to less strenuous positions, job restructuring, light duty work, or modified schedules.

• Requires employers to provide written notice of employee rights to new employees at hire and existing employees within 120 days of the law's effective date, posted in a conspicuous workplace location.

• Establishes that violation of the law constitutes discriminatory employment practice; limits punitive damages awards when employers demonstrate good-faith efforts to provide effective accommodations without undue hardship.