Judge Throws Out Lawsuit Over Federal Regulations Allowing Abortion Accommodations for Employees
A federal judge in Arkansas ruled on Friday that a lawsuit filed by 17 states challenging federal rules entitling workers to time off and other accommodations for abortions lacks standing.
Led by Arkansas and Tennessee, Republican attorneys general from each state sued the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over rules implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a law requiring employers to make accommodations for pregnant or postpartum employees.
Besides routine pregnancy accommodations, the rules allow workers to request time off for an abortion and recovery from the procedure.
The lawsuit argued that the regulations go beyond the scope of the 2022 law.
U.S. District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr. denied the states’ request for a nationwide injunction on the rules, which are set to go into effect soon.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin expressed disappointment with the ruling and is considering legal options.
Other states involved in the lawsuit include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and more.
The EEOC regulations are also being challenged in another lawsuit in Louisiana, with religious groups and attorneys general filing separate cases.
Various advocacy groups support the EEOC rules, arguing they are crucial for the law’s successful implementation.
Abortion rights defenders have praised the protection under the EEOC rules, especially in light of recent Supreme Court decisions on abortion rights.
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