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You Have Rights! The
Pregnancy Discrimination Act - is an amendment to Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It guarantees a pregnant
woman the following:
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Protection
against discrimination during the hiring process. |
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Protection
against being fired because of being pregnant. If she is unable
to perform her normal duties because of her pregnancy, she
must be treated in the same manner as any other temporarily
disabled employee. |
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Health
insurance coverage for pregnancy and pregnancy related illness
must be equal to coverage for other medical conditions. If
there are limits on benefits or restrictions, such as exemption
for pre-existing conditions, pregnancy related benefits can
be limited or excluded in the same proportion as other medical
conditions. |
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Disability
benefits for pregnancy related conditions must be the same
as benefits for other temporarily disabled employees. For
more information about Pregnancy Discrimination check out
the U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If
you think you have been discriminated against contact a lawyer.
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Your
rights to housing as a pregnant woman or a mother.
Housing
Options – The
Nurturing Network provides a number of services and
housing is one of them. They will support your decision
to stay where you are now living or they will assist you
with moving to a new location or town.
Public housing provides decent and safe living arrangements
for eligible low-income families. Public Housing comes
in all sizes and types. The
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
administers aid to local housing thereby bringing the
rent to a price that occupants can afford. For more information
on qualifications and how to apply visit HUD.
The Fair Housing Act – Covers most,
but not all, housing. Fair Housing makes it illegal to
discriminate in housing-related activities due to family
status, race, national origin, gender, religion and handicap.
Family status includes women who are pregnant, people
with child and people in the process of obtaining legal
custody of a child. Housing discrimination could include:
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Refusing
to rent or sell to you. |
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Requiring
different terms and conditions for renting or selling, such
as a higher deposit or additional credit checks. |
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Requiring
that you or your family live in a certain area of the complex
or limiting the use of the facilities. |
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For
more information visit the National
Fair Housing Alliance website.
What
are my rights as a woman? Know
your rights and be persistent. Don’t let anyone
pressure or coerce you into anything that is not
in your best interest.
You
have a right to:
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Have
a licensed physician perform your abortion. |
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Know
if the physician has had his license suspended. |
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Confirm
that the physician has medical malpractice insurance to protect
and compensate you in case of injury or death. |
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Be
transferred by ambulance to the closest hospital if you are injured
during the abortion procedure. |
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Refuse
to sign a waiver releasing the doctor, abortion clinic and
staff from liability for abortion-related injuries. |
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Victims
Rights –
The victim should first discuss their options with a knowledgeable
attorney since laws vary from state to state.
The victim has the right to press charges against the rapist,
and depending on circumstances sometimes charges can be pressed
against an institution or other responsible parties connected
with the assault.
If you are pregnant as a result of being raped and you are considering
parenting or placing your child for adoption, ask an attorney
to check the specific state laws that are applicable to you, regarding
custodial rights and child support for your unborn child. Call
800-395-4357 for assistance.
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