S.B. No. 177 - Ohio Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

• Enacts new section 4112.025 requiring employers with four or more employees to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees and those needing to express breast milk, unless such accommodation would cause undue hardship to business operations.

• Defines "reasonable accommodation" as a request for change or modification in work duties and "pregnancy" to include lactation or the need to express breast milk for a nursing infant.

• Prohibits employers from failing to accommodate known pregnancy-related conditions, denying employment opportunities based on pregnancy, requiring leave if other accommodations are available, or taking adverse action for requesting accommodations.

• Requires employers to engage in a timely, good faith, and interactive process with employees to determine effective reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions.

• Applies protections to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission framework, allowing employees to file charges and pursue civil actions for violations under the same procedures as other employment discrimination claims.