An exam room is seen inside Planned Parenthood in March 2023. Republican attorneys general from 17 states filed a lawsuit on Thursday, challenging new federal regulations allowing workers to take time off permits and other accommodations for abortion, calling the rules an unlawful interpretation of a 2022 federal law.
Jeff Roberson/AP
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Jeff Roberson/AP
An exam room is seen inside Planned Parenthood in March 2023. Republican attorneys general from 17 states filed a lawsuit on Thursday, challenging new federal regulations allowing workers to take time off permits and other accommodations to abortion, calling the rules an unlawful interpretation of a 2022 federal law.
Jeff Roberson/AP
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.
The lawsuit led by Tennessee and Arkansas comes since finalized federal regulations were announced on Monday that provide guidance to employers and employees on how to implement the Fairness Act for Pregnant Workers. This language means that workers can take leave to have an abortion and recover from the procedure.
The rules, which the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission passed in a 3-2 party-line vote, will take effect June 18. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Arkansas argue that these regulations exceed the scope of the 2022 law that passed bipartisan support.
“This is another attempt by the Biden administration to force through executive order what they could not get through Congress,” Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement. “Under this radical interpretation of the PWFA, employers would face federal lawsuits if they did not tolerate abortions by their employees, even if those abortions were illegal under state law.”
An EEOC spokesperson referred questions to the Department of Justice, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A Better Balance, one of the strongest advocates of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act, called the lawsuit a baseless attack on the law’s protections.
“This lawsuit represents a bad faith attempt to politicize what is considered a vital protection for the health and economic security of millions,” said Dina Bakst, co-chair of the group. families, while continuing alarming attacks on women’s health and reproductive choices.” said in a statement. “We are committed to fighting to protect workers’ rights under the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act.”
The EEOC said the new law does not require employers or employer-sponsored health plans to cover abortion-related costs and the type of regulation most likely to be sought under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act regarding abortion is time off to attend. a medical or recovery appointment at no cost.
Other states joining the lawsuit are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.
