This bill matters because it would define the boundaries of a significant workplace protection law for pregnant workers. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) was passed to ensure that pregnant employees receive reasonable accommodations, similar to those offered to workers with disabilities, allowing them to continue working safely during and after pregnancy. This bill would specifically exclude abortion and abortion-related services from what employers are required to accommodate under the PWFA.

If this bill becomes law, it means that while pregnant workers would still receive accommodations for conditions related to carrying a pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery, they would not be able to request or receive accommodations for abortion under this particular federal law. This could impact workers' ability to manage their jobs while accessing abortion care, potentially forcing difficult choices between employment and healthcare needs. If it doesn't pass, the EEOC would have the discretion to interpret whether abortion or abortion-related care falls under the 'related medical conditions' clause of the PWFA.