Legislature moves administrative rules for Pregnant Workers Fairness Act into voting file

The Legislature advanced Bill 210-38 COR, which adopts Guam Administrative Rules and Regulations to implement Public Law 36-118 (the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act), moving the measure into the voting file after several floor exchanges and motions to include the proposed rules transmittal in the committee report.

Sponsor remarks outlined the bill’s purpose: to define reasonable accommodations, establish a complaint process with extensions for medical reasons, authorize investigations and inspections by the Department of Labor, provide appeals and administrative procedures, and impose civil penalties for noncompliance. The sponsor said the rules include timelines (the Department of Labor must respond to petitions within 60 days) and that fines collected would be deposited into the Manpower Development Fund to support enforcement and training.

Supporters stressed enforcement paired with education and argued the rules bring the statute “off paper and into everyday life” for working families. "When a woman doesn't have to fear losing her job or being denied reasonable accommodations during pregnancy, she and her family can plan for the future with confidence," one senator said in support.

The bill’s committee moved to include the formal rules transmittal in the committee report; the motion carried without objection. Several members asked Guam Department of Labor staff and the Fair Employment Practice Office to prepare for any staffing needs identified in the fiscal note; supporters noted the fiscal note’s estimate included potential costs for additional personnel if violations increase.

The sponsor moved to place the bill in the voting file and the motion carried. The bill will next appear on the voting calendar for final action.