May 19, 2015
On May 2, 2015, District of Columbia (DC) Act 20-593 took effect. The act, called the “Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014,” amends DC law to ensure that individuals are protected from discrimination based on an individual’s or dependent’s reproductive health decisions. As background, DC Code Sec. 2-1401.05 prohibits employers from discriminating against an employee (in employment decisions and benefits offerings) on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions or breastfeeding. Act 20-593 amends that Code section by adding “reproductive health decisions” to the list of protections. That term is defined as a decision by an employee or an employee’s dependent (including a spouse) related to the use or intended use of a particular drug, device or medical service, including those related to contraception or fertility control or the planned intended initiation or termination of a pregnancy. The act was originally signed into law Jan. 23, 2015, but did not take effect until May 2, 2015, due to DC’s legislative process, which requires U.S. Congressional review.