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Senate committee approves bill to add menopause and perimenopause protections to state anti‑discrimination law
Summary
Sen. Pokarski’s SB 258 would add menopause and perimenopause to the Virginia Human Rights Act’s protected categories; ACLU of Virginia and the Medical Society testified that the change fills gaps in federal protections and provides clarity for workers and employers.
Senate Bill 258, presented by Sen. Pokarski, would amend the Virginia Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of menopause and perimenopause. The sponsor said the change recognizes these diagnosable conditions as part of reproductive health and seeks consistency in anti‑discrimination enforcement.
Kylie Moss, an attorney with the ACLU of Virginia, testified in support and said federal protections are inconsistent and menopausal conditions often fall into a gap in existing frameworks. "Virginia has an opportunity to lead by strengthening its own protections and providing clarity where federal law falls short," Moss said. Representatives from the Medical Society of Virginia also supported the bill, noting the health consequences and workplace impacts for some women.
Committee members probed how reasonable accommodation and documentation would work in practice; the witnesses said menopause and perimenopause are diagnosable by physicians and that courts will determine reasonableness of accommodations in dispute cases. After discussion the committee voted to report the bill for floor consideration.
What happens next: SB 258 will be reported to the floor; sponsors and counsel said they will work out any clarifying language about documentation and interaction with existing ADA and VHRA provisions.
