Pregnancy Discrimination Act (1978)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (42 U.S.C. § 2000e(k))

2) Why It Was Done
The Act was passed to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to clarify that discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions constitutes unlawful sex discrimination.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
Before the Act, courts often held that pregnancy discrimination was not covered by Title VII. This law explicitly extended protections to ensure women were not forced out of jobs due to pregnancy.